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New Jerusalem News: A Novel
The misadventures of Dominick, an “irresistible” couch-surfing one-percenter, begin in this “quirky and delightful” novel (Providence Journal). Dominick is always just passing through. Following the sun and the idle rich from resort to resort, he lives the free and easy life of a professional houseguest with nothing and nobody to tie him down. But when he decides to spend the winter on a small island off the New England coast, the off-season proves to be anything but quiet. Suddenly, despite his best efforts to remain detached from the rest of the human race, Dominick finds himself becoming involved with the travails of his geriatric hosts, Atticus and Lydia, and their coterie of oddball friends and local denizens—and going to some highly unusual extremes in the process. But the more he becomes enmeshed in the lives of others, the more he begins to rethink his own meandering life, especially when he somehow becomes a suspected terrorist. Sooner or later, everyone needs a place to call home—even if you really aren’t planning on staying long—and just because you live a carefree existence doesn’t mean you don’t care. From the author of the Jungle Beat mysteries set in American Samoa, New Jerusalem News is a delightful blend of intrigue and wit featuring a truly unforgettable character. “What a great beginning to a new series. You’ll laugh out loud but also enjoy Dominick’s asides on class warfare, crows, the past and cold, wet, provincial New England and New Englanders. The plot leaps and twists and delights…Enright’s off and running with Dominick, and he’s terrific.”—Providence Journal
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2015
About the author
John Enright
6 books15 followersJohn Enright was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1945. After serving stints in semi-pro baseball and the Lackawanna steel mills, he earned his degree from City College of New York while working full-time at Fortune, Time, and Newsweek magazines. He later completed a master’s degree in folklore at UC-Berkeley, before devoting the 1970s to the publishing industry in New York, San Francisco, and Hong Kong. In 1981, he left the United States to teach at the American Samoa Community College. He spent the next twenty-six years living on the islands of the South Pacific, working for environmental, cultural, and historical resource preservation. Over the past four decades, his essays, articles, short stories, and poems have appeared in more than seventy books, anthologies, journals, periodicals, and online magazines. His collection of poems from Samoa, 14 Degrees South, won the University of the South Pacific Press’s inaugural International Literature Competition. Today, he and his wife, ceramicist Connie Payne, live in Jamestown, Rhode Island.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 12, 2015
Dominick is the central character in this tragicomedy. He is a polite and self-sufficient free loader that travels from place to place staying as a house guest here and there. This story finds him up in the Cape Cod area, staying mostly with a geriatric couple, Atticus and Lydia. As things get odd, he tries again and again to leave the area, heading for sunnier climes. But the dramadie keeps pulling him back in.
Lord Witherspoon, a minor British noble, is Dominick’s alternate identity. He finds it opens doors for him and he sees no harm in the little white lies he uses to bolster up this fake persona. Dominick’s past remains mostly shrouded, though we get a little bit about his parentage and perhaps a little psychology as to why he drifts from place to place. He’s a man in the second half of his life with no attachments – no kids, no spouse, no siblings. His mother is still alive, but he doesn’t prefer to be reminded of that fact. Sometimes he uses a little ruse, making an offer on a place, in order to gain access to it and stay as a house guest. He’s a free loader when it comes to lodging but has enough means to cover food and fun.
Right away, I was interested in Dominick and where this story would take him. The life he has chosen to live is so very different that I was caught up in why he was doing it. Apparently, mostly just for the experience of it. Pretty soon, he is hanging out with Atticus on his boat, helping out as a kind of thank you for staying at Mount Sinai (the affectionate name for the house) on the Old Grofton island near New Jerusalem city. Next thing Dominick knows, there’s been a bombing and the Bay Savers group (which Atticus is part of) is the chief suspect.
What follows is part comedy and part drama as the FBI, Homeland Security, and a group called ICE swoop down upon the area to investigate. Atticus and Lydia are at the center of this. Of course, Dominick’s fictitious Lord Witherspoon gets caught up in it as well and it’s way more interest than Dominick likes. He tries again and again to leave the area, but keeps getting sucked back in by these friendships he has accidentally made.
Admittedly, the plot does kind of ramble. It started off strong, building a kind of mystery to be solved. Well, that mostly petered out and only at the very near end does it come back into play. My attention wandered in the middle because there wasn’t anything particularly significant happening that related to the bombing mystery. There were some funny scenes, mostly to do with the women who end up in Dominick’s bed.
There’s a ton of interesting characters in this book. Ms. Arnold lives in New Jerusalem proper and often folks stay over at her place if they miss the last ferry. I like her no nonsense attitude. Brenda and Charlie are present at the start of the story, but swiftly disappear, though Dominick thinks of them often. Charlie is into the bible and Fox news, so some of his views are eyebrow raising or simply amusing. Lydia and Atticus have twin grown daughters, and we meet Angie. She’s technically in charge of selling the house, and Lord Witherspoon has made an offer on it. Lydia herself is probably suffering from Alzheimer’s so sometimes she is argumentative, sometimes amusing (burnt toast nailed to the wall, anyone?), and sometimes lucid and well aware that she is losing it. Mr. Starks runs a local museum and is into photography. Queen Emma is a local native american celebrity with fiery passion. Each of these characters was well written and I quite enjoyed meeting them even if they had nothing to do with the central plot.
The ending wasn’t at all what I was expecting but it was fitting. It was poignant and a bit sad, but also satisfying. In the end, this book is just about what Dominick experienced in Cape Cod over a winter. It’s simply a little slice of his life.
I received a copy of this audiobook at no cost via iReads Book Tour company in exchange for an honest review.
Narration: J. Paul Guimont was a good choice for this book. He had a steady, easy to listen to voice, and a good character voice for Dominick. His female character voices were also very good, being believable. He also performed regional accents quite nicely.
Lord Witherspoon, a minor British noble, is Dominick’s alternate identity. He finds it opens doors for him and he sees no harm in the little white lies he uses to bolster up this fake persona. Dominick’s past remains mostly shrouded, though we get a little bit about his parentage and perhaps a little psychology as to why he drifts from place to place. He’s a man in the second half of his life with no attachments – no kids, no spouse, no siblings. His mother is still alive, but he doesn’t prefer to be reminded of that fact. Sometimes he uses a little ruse, making an offer on a place, in order to gain access to it and stay as a house guest. He’s a free loader when it comes to lodging but has enough means to cover food and fun.
Right away, I was interested in Dominick and where this story would take him. The life he has chosen to live is so very different that I was caught up in why he was doing it. Apparently, mostly just for the experience of it. Pretty soon, he is hanging out with Atticus on his boat, helping out as a kind of thank you for staying at Mount Sinai (the affectionate name for the house) on the Old Grofton island near New Jerusalem city. Next thing Dominick knows, there’s been a bombing and the Bay Savers group (which Atticus is part of) is the chief suspect.
What follows is part comedy and part drama as the FBI, Homeland Security, and a group called ICE swoop down upon the area to investigate. Atticus and Lydia are at the center of this. Of course, Dominick’s fictitious Lord Witherspoon gets caught up in it as well and it’s way more interest than Dominick likes. He tries again and again to leave the area, but keeps getting sucked back in by these friendships he has accidentally made.
Admittedly, the plot does kind of ramble. It started off strong, building a kind of mystery to be solved. Well, that mostly petered out and only at the very near end does it come back into play. My attention wandered in the middle because there wasn’t anything particularly significant happening that related to the bombing mystery. There were some funny scenes, mostly to do with the women who end up in Dominick’s bed.
There’s a ton of interesting characters in this book. Ms. Arnold lives in New Jerusalem proper and often folks stay over at her place if they miss the last ferry. I like her no nonsense attitude. Brenda and Charlie are present at the start of the story, but swiftly disappear, though Dominick thinks of them often. Charlie is into the bible and Fox news, so some of his views are eyebrow raising or simply amusing. Lydia and Atticus have twin grown daughters, and we meet Angie. She’s technically in charge of selling the house, and Lord Witherspoon has made an offer on it. Lydia herself is probably suffering from Alzheimer’s so sometimes she is argumentative, sometimes amusing (burnt toast nailed to the wall, anyone?), and sometimes lucid and well aware that she is losing it. Mr. Starks runs a local museum and is into photography. Queen Emma is a local native american celebrity with fiery passion. Each of these characters was well written and I quite enjoyed meeting them even if they had nothing to do with the central plot.
The ending wasn’t at all what I was expecting but it was fitting. It was poignant and a bit sad, but also satisfying. In the end, this book is just about what Dominick experienced in Cape Cod over a winter. It’s simply a little slice of his life.
I received a copy of this audiobook at no cost via iReads Book Tour company in exchange for an honest review.
Narration: J. Paul Guimont was a good choice for this book. He had a steady, easy to listen to voice, and a good character voice for Dominick. His female character voices were also very good, being believable. He also performed regional accents quite nicely.
August 8, 2018
This novel was seriously great. Some on gr liken it to a tragi-comedy, and I like the sound of this. Especially how things unravel and play out, throughout the novel. Enright had me spellbound to this novel, and I spent the most of this stormy day recuperating, drinking tea, and reading this novel. I’m so glad I picked it up recently!
While there is some sex in this novel, it shouldn’t be too shocking for other readers on gr I’d think. Nothing too much, or anything more exciting than fellatio, lol. And luckily, this novel doesn’t revolve around these characters sex lives, thank goodness.
I highly recommend this novel, and give it 5 stars.
While there is some sex in this novel, it shouldn’t be too shocking for other readers on gr I’d think. Nothing too much, or anything more exciting than fellatio, lol. And luckily, this novel doesn’t revolve around these characters sex lives, thank goodness.
I highly recommend this novel, and give it 5 stars.
May 21, 2019
I first became hooked on John Enright's writing when I read his four-book Jungle Beat mystery series set in American Samoa, so when I stumbled across New Jerusalem News, I didn't hesitate to buy it. At first, I wasn't sure I'd like the story of a professional houseguest because, to me, that's synonymous with "freeloader," but Dominick isn't a freeloader. The illegitimate son of a rich man, he has an independent income and can pay his own way, but the circumstances of his birth seem to have cast him in the role of the outsider looking in.
During the summer, he and two friends enjoyed themselves by Dominick taking on the persona of "Lord Witherspoon" so they could have all the local realtors take them on tours of the mansions that were for sale. It's only when he decides to stay during the offseason that Dominick's life begins to change. An elderly couple, Atticus and Lydia, have a lot to do with that. Atticus and Lydia have two grown daughters, and in an attempt to make everything simpler when they die, they signed over everything to them. One of the daughters lives in London and ignores them. The other lives in Boston and wants to shuffle her parents off to a condo in Florida so she can sell the property and make a fortune.
New Jerusalem News may seem a bit vague in its direction, but so is Dominick. This is a book to savor for its poetic descriptions of land and sea and for its marvelous character studies. Dominick wants to live a life of non-involvement, a life in which he's merely an observer, but reality has fun with him. He can't abandon Atticus and Lydia, and he can't help making friends with Emma and John Starks, two of the locals. And he certainly can't help getting involved when the FBI and Department of Homeland Security decide he's a terrorist. This terrorist plotline has some pointed things to say about those two government agencies, and it really pulls in the reader. Enright had me genuinely concerned about the fate of his characters.
There's another book in the Dominick Chronicles: Some People Talk With God. I look forward to reading it. John Enright has a poet's way with words, and he certainly knows how to tell a story. I'm looking forward to seeing what Dominick does next.
During the summer, he and two friends enjoyed themselves by Dominick taking on the persona of "Lord Witherspoon" so they could have all the local realtors take them on tours of the mansions that were for sale. It's only when he decides to stay during the offseason that Dominick's life begins to change. An elderly couple, Atticus and Lydia, have a lot to do with that. Atticus and Lydia have two grown daughters, and in an attempt to make everything simpler when they die, they signed over everything to them. One of the daughters lives in London and ignores them. The other lives in Boston and wants to shuffle her parents off to a condo in Florida so she can sell the property and make a fortune.
New Jerusalem News may seem a bit vague in its direction, but so is Dominick. This is a book to savor for its poetic descriptions of land and sea and for its marvelous character studies. Dominick wants to live a life of non-involvement, a life in which he's merely an observer, but reality has fun with him. He can't abandon Atticus and Lydia, and he can't help making friends with Emma and John Starks, two of the locals. And he certainly can't help getting involved when the FBI and Department of Homeland Security decide he's a terrorist. This terrorist plotline has some pointed things to say about those two government agencies, and it really pulls in the reader. Enright had me genuinely concerned about the fate of his characters.
There's another book in the Dominick Chronicles: Some People Talk With God. I look forward to reading it. John Enright has a poet's way with words, and he certainly knows how to tell a story. I'm looking forward to seeing what Dominick does next.
May 3, 2018
A very unique, delightful book about a man, Dominick, who lives his life freeloading off people, having done so for years. And he is a very pleasant guest who has people and places he stays with in many places, all on a rotating basis. His past is mysterious at first but becomes clearer as the story unfolds. As does the reason for living the way he does, especially as he has adequate means to have a nice lifestyle. Dominick presents a pleasant facade but does not want to be responsible for anyone nor have anyone depend on him. What happens in this novel threatens his way of life. Dominick is endearing in his own way and all the characters are engaging and it was a great story.
February 12, 2016
Love the character of Dominick. Can't wait for the next one.
February 20, 2019
Interesting.
Done by someone who had experienced being disconnected by life - purposefully or by accident. Grew up near there and there are certainly the locals and the Summer people. Thrown together, or dissected for other purposes in another manner. Again, interesting characters and a semi believable plot line. Escapism.
Done by someone who had experienced being disconnected by life - purposefully or by accident. Grew up near there and there are certainly the locals and the Summer people. Thrown together, or dissected for other purposes in another manner. Again, interesting characters and a semi believable plot line. Escapism.
never-finished
August 12, 2023I have to DNF this book. I was expecting a mystery, but I'm several hours into the audiobook and there is no mystery so far. And, to be honest I'm not really fond of the characters.
I do think that there are probably people who will like this book, it's just not for me.
I do think that there are probably people who will like this book, it's just not for me.
November 12, 2023
Audible audiobook.
Not the type I usually read, and I probably wouldnt have finished it if it were in real book form.
A meandering story of a perpetual houseguest and the people he meets and the one time he actually gets involved.
I only fast forwarded thru the couple of explicit sex scenes.
Not the type I usually read, and I probably wouldnt have finished it if it were in real book form.
A meandering story of a perpetual houseguest and the people he meets and the one time he actually gets involved.
I only fast forwarded thru the couple of explicit sex scenes.
July 29, 2018
The development of the characters, especially Dominick's, is what kept me reading this, but the plot, such that it was, meandered and kept petering out.
June 6, 2021
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Susan did an excellent review of this book.
Susan did an excellent review of this book.
October 16, 2015
New Jerusalem News--catchy title, catchy cover. Both intrigued me. I'm so glad they did. Why? Because I met the quirkiest group of people living between the pages of this book and in a town called New Jerusalem on Cape Cod.
However, you might know I'd land in the middle of this at the end of summer season. Let it never be said the winters in New Jerusalem aren't fun and filled with mischief of various sorts. Take a group of retired folks, who are already quirky, and place them in close proximity to one another and life is anything but dull. Ah, sweet New Jerusalem!
Enright has drawn characters who come alive and you begin to feel they live next door. I especially enjoyed Dominique and when engaged in conversation and meals with Starks, I enjoyed them as a pair of history loving bibliophiles.
A spark of perceived terrorism comes to New Jerusalem in the form of a group of people attempting to save their local waters from the efforts of big business and the government, but to tell you more would spoil it for you. And you are going to read it, aren't you?
On a scale of 1-5 stars, New Jerusalem gets 4 stars. I don't ordinarily share my star ratings here; I leave those for other venues, but this one I want to make sure you're at least interested in.
The loss of one star was based on the author's own rating of this book as an "R" rating for two explicit sex scenes, both rather matter-of-fact. However, there is no violence or bad language.
FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via iRead Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed are mine.
However, you might know I'd land in the middle of this at the end of summer season. Let it never be said the winters in New Jerusalem aren't fun and filled with mischief of various sorts. Take a group of retired folks, who are already quirky, and place them in close proximity to one another and life is anything but dull. Ah, sweet New Jerusalem!
Enright has drawn characters who come alive and you begin to feel they live next door. I especially enjoyed Dominique and when engaged in conversation and meals with Starks, I enjoyed them as a pair of history loving bibliophiles.
A spark of perceived terrorism comes to New Jerusalem in the form of a group of people attempting to save their local waters from the efforts of big business and the government, but to tell you more would spoil it for you. And you are going to read it, aren't you?
On a scale of 1-5 stars, New Jerusalem gets 4 stars. I don't ordinarily share my star ratings here; I leave those for other venues, but this one I want to make sure you're at least interested in.
The loss of one star was based on the author's own rating of this book as an "R" rating for two explicit sex scenes, both rather matter-of-fact. However, there is no violence or bad language.
FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via iRead Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed are mine.
November 18, 2015
New Jerusalem News is a work of fiction set on an island in New England. Reading the synopsis is a bit misleading at the start. The plot sounds like high intrigue and fast action. Nothing could be further from the truth. But the statement that the book is all about the characters is bang on, and to focus on the characters means a slower pace to the story telling. This presents a challenge for writers. How do you keep the reader turning the page when there isn't constant action? Enright manages beautifully in this well written book.
The main character - Dominick - is a professional house guest who uncharacteristically ends up spending winter months on a quiet island in the home of an elderly couple - Atticus and Lydia. While he tries his best to never get involved in the lives of those he bunks with, he finds himself slowly and increasingly entwined in their struggles - an environmental protest gone bad, health issues, a difficult daughter and more. He also finds himself in the spotlight as the main suspect at the center of a government investigation.
Over the course of the story we are introduced to several other interesting locals. Each comes alive as we listen to them speak and watch them interact with other. And fun is made of bureaucracy - how single minded the focus can be and how once wrong decisions are made, the cover up begins. Truth, and history, are written as you go along. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and consumed it cover to cover.
October 25, 2015
I would really love to visit New Jerusalem. It sounds like one of those Quirky small towns. Where every one knows everything. If you sneeze today your neighbor will say "bless you" tomorrow when you see him.
The books main character is Dominique who is a professional house guest. He drifts from lace to place and always has a place to stay. He starts our staying with one Couple then ends of moving to another couples home. Where he ends up deciding to stay the winter in a New Jerusalem instead of his normal routine of going south like the birds for the winter.
Dominique never gets involved with the goings on in the towns he stays or in the lives of the people he stays with. But this winter he will. He tries not to but try as he might he gets dragged in to the plight of his host. Then the fun really begins in the story. There is a environmental protest going on and Dominique ends of being suspected in terroristic bombings.
John Enright really drags you into this book. Not only does he introduce you to his characters but you really feel like you get to know these people personally. There is never a truly dull moment in this book. I usually rad more romance and paranormal books and skip right over this type of book, but I am very glad I chose to read this book. I really enjoyed it.
I received this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
The books main character is Dominique who is a professional house guest. He drifts from lace to place and always has a place to stay. He starts our staying with one Couple then ends of moving to another couples home. Where he ends up deciding to stay the winter in a New Jerusalem instead of his normal routine of going south like the birds for the winter.
Dominique never gets involved with the goings on in the towns he stays or in the lives of the people he stays with. But this winter he will. He tries not to but try as he might he gets dragged in to the plight of his host. Then the fun really begins in the story. There is a environmental protest going on and Dominique ends of being suspected in terroristic bombings.
John Enright really drags you into this book. Not only does he introduce you to his characters but you really feel like you get to know these people personally. There is never a truly dull moment in this book. I usually rad more romance and paranormal books and skip right over this type of book, but I am very glad I chose to read this book. I really enjoyed it.
I received this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
November 16, 2015
I received a free copy of the audiobook for an honest review.
New Jerusalem News is a different kind of book. It’s about a drifter who lives off of the guilt money from his deceased, always absent, father. He has many friends and is a professional houseguest. When he starts to feel like a burden, or starts to get too close, or gets bored, he moves on.
The characters are well developed. They are older, dealing with the problems of the elderly, whether it is their health, their memory, or their children. I liked how complex they are. For example, Dominick tells himself that he won’t get too close to anyone, but every time he decides to leave, something comes up and he has to help someone out. He also has some interesting thoughts about sex. Another example is Lydia. She loves her husband and is usually pleasant to everyone, but she can’t stand her twin daughters.
The narrator had a clear voice that was easy to understand. He did fairly well at the different voices.
Although the FBI and ICE show up and Dominick is considered a suspect in possible terrorist attacks, New Jerusalem News isn’t suspenseful like you would think. It’s interesting, even includes a little history, and is often funny. It did get a little slow at times, but I enjoyed it overall.
New Jerusalem News is a different kind of book. It’s about a drifter who lives off of the guilt money from his deceased, always absent, father. He has many friends and is a professional houseguest. When he starts to feel like a burden, or starts to get too close, or gets bored, he moves on.
The characters are well developed. They are older, dealing with the problems of the elderly, whether it is their health, their memory, or their children. I liked how complex they are. For example, Dominick tells himself that he won’t get too close to anyone, but every time he decides to leave, something comes up and he has to help someone out. He also has some interesting thoughts about sex. Another example is Lydia. She loves her husband and is usually pleasant to everyone, but she can’t stand her twin daughters.
The narrator had a clear voice that was easy to understand. He did fairly well at the different voices.
Although the FBI and ICE show up and Dominick is considered a suspect in possible terrorist attacks, New Jerusalem News isn’t suspenseful like you would think. It’s interesting, even includes a little history, and is often funny. It did get a little slow at times, but I enjoyed it overall.
October 11, 2015
Dominick’s status as an outsider makes him the perfect companion for readers to discover the comings and goings on a quaint New England island, a setting most readers will probably not be familiar with. A well-written and engaging novel, New Jerusalem News sounds at times like one of those oft repeated family stories about a cousin twice removed that both make sense but no one can quite believe actually happened. While there aren’t too many swear words, there are a few sex scenes that are thankfully easy to avoid as the author thankfully does not lend his descriptive talent to them. To everything else though that he does describe, Enright brings to life, making more than one reader shiver when reading about a New England winter and countless others feel sorry for the way things work out for the kind and generous Atticus and Lydia. While there is no obvious lesson the author is trying to give, the story will make readers think of the relationship between family members and the fact that duration of friendship doesn’t necessarily imply a similar level of quality.
First published: http://www.saharsblog.com/review/book...
First published: http://www.saharsblog.com/review/book...
October 5, 2015
This is a book that I might have missed if it were not provided to me for purposes of a review. I went into it without even glancing at the summary because I was ready to be surprised. I am glad I had the chance to spend some time with such a wonderful story. There is so much going on and it does feel very true-to-life in the way it is presented. There is a bit of mystery and intrigue, but above all, there are interesting characters and a well-told story that is not quite a whodunnit, but more of a "what is really going on" sort of tale. While I did find the "romance scenes" somewhat blocky and awkward, I am not entirely sure that was not by design. The ending sort of reminded me of an episode of Seinfeld where I sort of had to as myself if that was actually it.
This is something you might miss or pass over for a number of reasons, I would advise you to reconsider.
This is something you might miss or pass over for a number of reasons, I would advise you to reconsider.
November 18, 2015
I enjoyed reading New Jerusalem News: A Novel (The Dominick Chronicles) by John Enright. It was a different sort of book in that it did not really seem to fit one genre perfectly. I enjoyed reading about the different characters. I personally really liked how Dominick pretended to be a count so he could explore houses. I found myself smiling when he used the deception to help out the older couple, but I won't spoil the book for you by telling you how.
Check out my full review at: http://hubpages.com/literature/New-Je...
I was sent this book for free for only my honest review.
Check out my full review at: http://hubpages.com/literature/New-Je...
I was sent this book for free for only my honest review.
September 17, 2015
The quirky plot of this novel captured my interest from the start. The characters were well-developed and the setting was easy to imagine. The writing was descriptive and the dialogue tongue-in-cheek. However, I couldn't get past the language and sexual scenes so decided not to finish the book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews