Review by Mavin511 -- Call Me Pomeroy by James Hanna

Mavin511 · Post by **Mavin511** » 08 Jun 2018, 10:19

[Following is a volunteer review of "Call Me Pomeroy" by James Hanna.]

4 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

When I first saw Call Me Pomeroy by James Hanna, I was wondering what this little book was about. It is described on the title page as being "A Novel of Satire and Political Dissent". That got me nervous as politics has never been a favorite subject of mine - not even a well liked subject of mine to be honest. However, I wasn't about to turn away. Reading something out of my comfort zone every once in a while was good for me. So, I began to read. Once in, I found I couldn't stop! I read every single word on every single page from the start "I tell folks to call me Pomeroy." to the very last, which I won't tell you because "Spoilers, Sweetie." Before I continue, I rate this wonderful work of art 4 out of 4 stars!

Now, why did I give the rating I did? First, let me tell you a little about this lovely story. Pomeroy(real name Edward"Eddie" Beasley) is an ex con, homeless man who looks at life through rose tinted glasses. He's what I call an "educated fool". He's very smart but very delusional with a vanity bigger than Liberace and claims to be well equipped for a man. He's also foul mouthed, very much so in fact so be forewarned! He has big dreams of enjoying lots of women and being a rock star. He lets nothing get in the way of what he wants, not even jail or his lovely parole officer whom he is determined to have be his manager.

Now for the rating. Why did you give this foul mouthed and pretty explicit story a perfect rating? It's because when I was done reading it all in one sitting,I felt like I'd been swept up by a whirlwind, tossed about and then set back down not only in the same spot I'd left from but also with nary a hair out of place. The first word that came to mind was "Wow". Just that. Wow. It took a moment or two to get my thoughts pulled back from Pomeroy's journey from the office of his parole officer across the UK and France and back again to that same office. All the cursing, all the salaciousness, all the explicitness - it was all part and parcel of a delicious concoction that blended together into such a wonderful tale! Yes, there was politics - mostly from Pomeroy's well read point of view as well as those protestors he encountered along the way. Yes there was satire - most of the story was satire! You couldn't really take anyone seriously once Pomeroy gave you his opinion of him - not even Pomeroy himself.

Was there anything I didn't like about the story? It was too short! Other than that, I have nothing bad to say about it. I will say however, if you don't like foul mouthed men who think they're every woman's dream shag, don't read this book. If you don't want to read about naked women protesting for women's rights, don't read this book. If you don't want to read about protests in general as well as sexually explicit lyrics to a protest song, don't read this book. This book isn't for you. This book is only for people who like the truth surrounded by raw genuineness which Pomeroy has in spades. He may have delusions about his future, but he's got a lot of great insight into things people don't want to talk about.

This story, copyrighted in 2015 and produced by Sand Hill Review Press in the same year, is a gem. I am actually glad I got to read it. I hope more people will read it as well. I'm not sure what else I can actually say without giving the story away, and I really want you to find out on your own how things end. So, don't take my word on how good this book is, read it yourselves! You may find yourself agreeing with me, or not. At least you will have met the incredible Pomeroy at any rate. You will never be the same again. I know I won't be.

******
Call Me Pomeroy
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like Mavin511's review? Post a comment saying so!

Rosebella · Post by **Rosebella** » 06 Jul 2018, 08:41

Amazing review. You definitely heightened my desire to read the book. I liked your description of Pomeroy. A character I foresee I will love.

Aan Granados · Post by **Aan Granados** » 06 Jul 2018, 09:09

Glad you liked it, makes me excited to read it too. I smiled reading the Liberace comment.

Dael Reader · Post by **Dael Reader** » 06 Jul 2018, 19:38

This seems like a great review--with such an enthusiastic recommendation. I'm hesitant to read this one because I'm generally not one for gratuitous sexual references or crude language in my novels. But on the other hand, I read and reviewed A Second, Less Capable Head, a short-story collection by this author, and enjoyed his quirky rogue characters. I'm so conflicted!