Customer Reviews

Arcadia Falls

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am not a person who typically writes reviews on Amazon but having read Rand Johnson's book, Arcadia Falls, and having questions in my mind about his artistic intentions, I decided to see what others thought of it and was appalled to see that it has twice fallen victim to a phenomenon all too common in Amazon reviews: the vituperative trash job.

In the case of Johnson's book, two reviewers have decided that not only did they not like it, but somehow it, and derivatively the author - who I do not know but I assume is a living, breathing person with feelings - deserved the kind of venom normally reserved for Hillary Clinton at a Republican fundraiser.

In the case of one of these reviewers, his book reportedly contained a massive misprint such that he had to read most of it upside down and backwards. While I can only admire his perserverance in reading such a misbegotten tome, it also seems likely that this would affect his feelings about the novel and judging from his comments, his understanding of it. He demands his money back and indeed should - from Amazon or the publisher - but that is no reason to condemn the author.

In the case of the other reviewer, he goes so far as to confess he hasn't read the book beyond the first fifty pages, but nonetheless has no hesitation in trashing it. He too complains about printing inadequacies, tho ones even he characterizes as minor. For the record, my book, and I assume the books of the other more tempered reviewers were fine.

Now, as to that plot: Mr. Upside Down and Backwards asserts with indignation that the surprise ending was no surprise to him. Interestingly, I have read the book twice and still can't say with certainty what the ending is, an ambiguity Johnson clearly intended. (I'll reserve further comment in the interests of those dullwitted readers like me who lack the perspicacity to know the ending before they even open the book and who may find the ending as intriguing as I did.)

Does Johnson write with the transcendent grace of John Fowles? I don't think so, tho he has his moments, but to judge the prose of any book by Fowles' standards is to find it lacking. In any event, Johnson's style is so unlike Fowles' as to make it clear that he is attempting no mimicry and make comparison on that level virtually meaningless. Johnson's style is direct and spare in keeping with the "fable" concept of the subtitle.

But despite the dissimilarities, it certainly it is understandable that readers associate AF with Fowles' work. Tho it is just plain wrong that Arcadia Falls "copies" the plot of TFLW as was asserted (it actually is as much The Magus and A Maggot in my view), Johnson is clearly a fan and has created his own take on a number of themes that occupy Fowles, while adding a few of his own - like the disappearance of the natural world as a result of the onslaught of development.

The comment that nature is not present in this novel I find inexplicable. Not only is the disappearance of the natural world due to development and its psychological effect on the lead character a major theme, but the book is replete with descriptions of natural phenomena - woodlands, dragonflies, mushrooms, and butterflies, to name but a few.

But drawing back from that, I'm troubled by the notion that many readers seem to have, that if for whatever reason a novel doesn't meet their expectations, it is somehow an appropriate target for abuse. This attitude is particularly inappropriate in the case of literary novels like Arcadia Falls, the purpose of which is to express an author's vision in the way he deems best. You can disagree with his choices, but only after you have judged it on its own terms ( presumably after having actually read it!) - not your own preconceived notions of what the work was supposed to be. And in any event, there is no reason for venom.

From what I can tell this is Johnson's only novel but have no illusions that major authors escape unscathed. A review of the Amazon pages for Fowles' books and those of many other literary greats reveals similar trash job reviews of works that many people consider pure genius. Those authors can I'm sure handle it - in the unlikely event they even deign to check their Amazon reviews - but such invective does little to serve prospective readers hoping for a balanced view of the book being reviewed.

I haven't read much fiction lately (I'm on a bio and history jag) so it was a pleasant surprise to trip across Arcadia Falls. At first, I was impatient to get to the "meat" but later realized I was being led (gently but firmly) to a place where different rhythms apply.
I see the author has been savaged here, evidently for not measuring up to John Fowles. (Note to Author Johnson: I wouldn't take that criticism to heart. Last time I looked, there was only one Fowles and judging by his re-write of the Magus, even he thinks he could be improved.)
I didn't think Johnson was trying to be Fowles. His prose is much more spare and direct. (This is a fable, remember?)
This is the kind of book that comes at you sideways - those ideas it gives off may flicker in the corners of your mind but won't emerge into daylight till the novel is well along. By that time, I was hooked.
PS As a lawyer, I can tell you that his wicked take on Law firm life is (regrettably) spot on. All in all, a good read with a seductive storyline. Richard the Lawyer

Johnson's novel strikes my frustrated nerve between preservation and synthetic development. When is it right? When is it necessary? What is the impact tommorrow, and 100 years from now? Arcadia Falls focuses on the psychological struggle of one man's view on "development" It steers away from the legal/political and societal impact, but implies an assumed position of huge developer, big development, and a lot of money to be had.
The main character, Frank, toggles between the middle-class, business lifestyle and the preferred simplicity of being in, and a part of, nature. He seems to balance his environment quite comfortably, until he learns that a tract of land near his home is approved for development. Thus the story begins and Frank moves from a balanced lifestyle to one which evokes extreme denial and frustration towards the destruction of ecological serenity. Franks true love (nature) comes to life in a seductive and intriguing symbolic form; ala the woman in the woods. Barbara, Frank's girlfriend, is the icon character for middle-class practicality. Kelly, the concerned sister that wants "more" for Frank (the greed or materialistic icon). Johnson brings the characters to life; each representing a trait, some more desirable than others. Acceptance versus rebelleous, natural versus material, comfort versus excess. The reader will relate to all, but your individual value system will determine which character you most closely conform to.
The novel is thought-provoking, and challenges the reader to look within for answers to many questions. What is the balance between preservation and development? Does development necessarily = progress? What is necessary, versus evoked by greed?
A great read, and one that I would highly recommend.

I highly recommend "Arcadia Falls" as a must read first novel by author Rand Johnson. Everyone in my book club agreed that this is a real page-turner. Unpredictable twists of plot, competing love interests and multiple points of view, compel you to read on to find out what will happen next.

Those looking for more will be able to find it. Fans of novelist John Fowles may recognize in Frank, the main character, a post-modern anti-hero, out of step with his times. His relations with the world around him are troubled and disappointing; he finds the women in his life to be distant, baffling and mysterious, if not mystical. The tip-off to the Fowles connection is that "The Magus" is mentioned in "Arcadia Falls". Frank sees his redemption in Nature and begins a one-man environmentalist crusade to stop the suburban sprawl which is about to pave over the last remnant of forest in the hometown of his boyhood. His activism grows more violent until he lashes out in impotent bursts of eco-terrorism against the real estate development corporation. His personal life begins to deteriorate. Meanwhile he meets a mysterious Lady at a cottage in the forest, and the line between reality and imagination begins to blur. Is the Lady as real as Sarah in Fowles' "The French Lieutenant's Woman", or as imaginary as the Muse in "Mantissa"? What happens to Frank - does he ultimately succeed in his quest? You be the judge when you come to the surprise ending.

This ingenious and captivating story -- part mythic-romance, part eco-politics, part literary thriller -- pays homage to John Fowles, but with an existential twist. Johnson serves up the cautionary tale of Frank Anderson, a man longing for the world of his youth, a world driven by the rhythms and flow of Nature. But Frank is stalled in the every day world of unfulfilling work (a wicked potrayal of the modern law firm), empty romance and insidious suburban sprawl. Then, in one magical pocket of this world, Frank finds his Arcadia -- a cabin deep in the woods of the last unspoiled (but not for long) tract of land near his home town. In the cabin, Frnak discovers his dream woman, in every sense of the word. Johnson moves the plot in a graceful, almost lyrical style, towards its surprising conclusion. He has a dead on ear for dialogue and when he writes of Nature, you know it comes from the heart.

I really did enjoy this novel. I'm not sure what issues one of the other reviewers had with the plot (particularly having only read the first fifty pages!), but this was one of those books that I just could not put down and the clever plot was one reason. Original, entertaining - and well written!

This is one of the best books I've read in recent years,one that is successful on many levels. The writing is atmospheric and rich with allusions, the characters complex, and the message one that needs to be heard. But most of all, Johnson never loses sight of the need to keep the reader entertained. He delivers a narrative that demands your attention and then rewards it. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Arcadia Falls is a post modern fable that combines eroticism and environmental awareness into a psychological thriller that refuses to give pat answers to the serious questions it poses. Don't be fooled by the fairy tale simplicity: there's a lot going on here.

I heard about Arcadia Falls from a member of my book club (who loved it), but did not pick it up until I came across a review in my local newspaper (which was also glowing). With some interesting misdirections, this novel often reminded me of the work of John Fowles (whom I've always enjoyed). The story is about a very unusual cabin in the woods that is threatened by encroaching suburbia. The novel works on many levels, but in the end it's a great mystery. Does anyone know if this is Johnson's first novel?

After reading the glowing reviews on this page, and hearing it compared to John Fowles' The Magus, which I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed, it was an unpleasant surprise to actually read this book. The writing is amateurish, the conceits transparent, and plot laughable. I confess I did not make it past page 50 or so. It feels like a high school creative writing project.

Another small criticism: the book is published very poorly...the binding is cheap and inflexible, the printing offcenter. It feels as novice as the writing.

Save your time and money.