The Monkey Tribe

by Michael J. Vaughn

When the man who cost him his job offers Jack Teagarden a beachside house-sitting assignment, he latches on to it like a man overboard. For a child of Silicon Valley, the counterculture freakiness of Santa Cruz is hard to deal with, until Jack's life coach takes him to an all-night drumming party. Under the spell of a thunderous stream of percussion, a pigeon-raising witch named Audrey LaBrea and a tragically unmarked plate of brownies, Jack wakes up with grass stains all over his body and rumors that he initiated a naked light-saber battle. So what's harder, fighting the freaks? Or realizing that you are one? From the award-winning author of The Popcorn Girl and Nature Boy.

Genres: Fiction

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 11, 2009

About the author

Michael J. Vaughn is the author of 29 novels, including Punks for the Opera and Mermaids' Tears. He is also a fine arts painter, and drummer/vocalist for San Jose's El Camino Revival Band.

Reviews

[Tess Ailshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth Michael J. Vaughn book I've read in the last four to six months (The Popcorn Girl; a Painting Called Sylvia; Gabriella's Voice). Vaughn again shows his mastery of mindfulness - of describing both scenery and emotion vividly and without cliche. He again tackles the character who is different, and slowly reveals to the reader that character's passions and failings.

This novel, like Gabriella's Voice, shows a deep understanding of music as a natural part of the human experience, and explores the theme of giving as a way of receiving. Like A Painting Called Sylvia, it explores chaos in human experience, but in a controlled manner. Like The Popcorn Girl, it shows a character who is so much more than a surface.

Vaughn can keep writing. I'll keep reading as long as he does.

[Marian Nanney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceeded expectations

Another great story by Michael J Vaughan! Anyone who has ever been down and out will enjoy the self-actualization journey that Jack embarks upon unexpectedly. Plenty of, um, adult content which enhances the development of the characters involved in other passages. Painstaking detail really makes the story come alive. With the caveat above, highly recommended for anyone who appreciates the work of a gifted storyteller with equally strong powers of observation and insight.

[Kelly Hudson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A delusion of fraternity proportions.

The writing is good and the main character is well done. The setting is interesting. Everything else is ridiculous and unrealistic. Life coaches don’t invite clients into their intimate circle of friends, much less do it the second time they meet. This friend group seems to exist to throw weird parties and consume massive quantities of pot. It’s a low rent middle aged Cirque du soleil.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful Book

This book turned out to be engrossing and delightful. Filled with idiosyncratic characters and insight into the search for a meaningful life. A happy ending with lots of humor along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Jackie Whitley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Athieism is a religion. Religion of self.

Christianity is a relationship. Atheism has murdered more people -Stalin-Mao
The womb is just an incubator. The baby has its own dna. Miscarriage is not abortion. Abortion is murder.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So after reading this book I need to try Peruvian coffee.