Caveman Politics

Rating:
Summary: An exceptional and greatly humorous first novel.
Review: Caveman Politics is fine first novel. Though, I'm sure, many more accomplished novelists would be proud to lay claim to a work like this. Atkinson's roots reach down deep to the heart of the realist tradition. His prose is taught, his characters memorable, and the drawing of rugby as a metaphor for both race relations and the brutality - or the eternal "scrum" - of life is brilliantly executed. Good show.

Rating:
Summary: Great Fun, Welcome Surprise
Review: I picked-up this book nearly two years ago at a book fair and forgot about it. I found it in my cellar last week, and finally got around to reading it. Had I known how well written it was, I would have treated it more carefully....

As a former journalist, and someone who has played a little rugby, this novel sprang to life for me. As soon as I put it down, I logged on to see if J. Atkinson has had anything else published. I hope we won't have to wait too long for his next work.

Rating:
Summary: Great "lazy day" reading
Review: I stumbled upon this book while searching for something to bide my time on a flight and was pleasantly suprised. Though the central storyline of the novel was more or less predictable, it was the peripheral action that I enjoyed. The banter between Joe Dolan and his buddy Surfer led me back to my collegiate days and the unforgettable talks about absolutey nothing. The accounts of the action on the rugby pitch would make any participants of the gentleman's game nod their heads with a knowing grin. Obviously I am not a polished reviewer of popular fiction, but I feel that I represent a large number of readers that really enjoy hanging out in the backyard with a good book and a few beers. "Caveman Politics" is perfect for that very situation.

Rating:
Summary: A wild ride
Review: Jay Atkinson is a gem in the rough, a writer who has penned a book which uses sport to uncover and illuminate the human condition. The story of Joe Dolan's brush with salvation is our story... as we hurl ourselves through the confusion of life. If this talented storyteller doesn't shake up the literary world for years to come, then publishing really has gone over to the dark side.

Rating:
Summary: A wild ride
Review: This book has it all -- down and dirty lowlife scum (and that's just the rugby players) and a fast-paced plot with all sorts of brutality, intrigue, love, sex, Elvis, you name it. Carl Hiassen and James Hall are the big-name Florida thriller writers -- and Caveman Politics is in that league.