Jupiter

by John Carney

Giovanni Alberto is in Hell. His hometown of Jupiter, Florida is as close to paradise as any place on Earth, but perception is reality — or, in Giovanni’s case, perception is surreality. On Halloween, as nightmarish visions of sin and vice come to life around him, Giovanni sets off on a journey of self discovery.

Singular and surprising in its form, Carney’s Jupiter tells a tale of contemporary American society using all the tropes of Ancient Greece and Rome. It is a slice-of-life story of friends, theater, loneliness, and lost love with an eye for allusive detail and eagerness to experiment with pre-novel forms.

338 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2022

Reviews

[Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty and enjoyable read, chock full of classic literary themes, beautifully crafted poems, and a unique composition of intercalated stories. For those who aren’t familiar with the style, like myself, this is a nested narrative. The through line follows Gio, a romantic and budding author/poet, in the titular Florida Coastal town of Jupiter. Gio’s story, in its own right, is quite lovely and enjoyable to follow, but then you sit down and take in a set of classical plays alongside the protagonist; each with their own charm and wit. The cast of characters in Gio’s life and in the plays are colorful against the thoughtful backdrops that the author has crafted. I enjoyed the noir of this Jupiter, and having visited myself, I can confirm the author has done a fantastic job in setting the scene; albeit just slightly off from reality. In keeping with this surreal theme, the author takes you on yet another journey, and as you collectively awake from this final fever dream, you find yourself plunged deeper into this depiction of Jupiter, seeking a reprieve and a breath of fresh air. This book will offer you just that and I cannot recommend it enough.