Customer Reviews

Johnny Oops

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is really different. I wasn't expecting all the twists and turns that led the main character, Johnny Oops from one coast to the other promoting his form of spiritualism and promoting himself as a prophet. Not for the faint of heart, Johnny proves time and again that he is more of a sinner than a saint. I was taken by his questioning of whether we are real or living in a virtual reality world controlled by some game master although in the end he holds true to his belief in God. This author has a distinctive voice, and for a first novel made me interested in reading more of his works.

Johnny Oops is an offbeat odyssey through the disjointed life of a man who, as the title suggests, could be any one (or none) of three things: Charlatan, Sex Maniac, or Prophet.

Oops's greatest strength is writer Arthur Levine's obvious talent for rich, realistic dialog and deep characterization. The title character, Oops, defines 'multi-faceted', putting even the most schizophrenic cultural icons (such as Sybil) to shame with his near-infinite depth of shifting hi's and lo's, angst and arrogance. Levine also props up Oops with an equally strong supporting cast of colorful family, friends, and a few genuine enemies. Dr. O'Hara stands out as Oops's longtime psychiatrist (one of the few who frequently and bluntly gives his answer to the title question of what Johnny is). And Oops's battles to legitimize his Dialectic Spiritualism society are biting, hilarious socio-political commentary.

The only problem with Oops is its length (at almost 350 pages, paperback).It could have been 50-100 pages shorter, and still retained its strength. Instead, it's dilluted somewhat by a plodding pace (especially in the beginning). It keeps Oops from seriously challenging 50's Holden Caulfield and 60's Valentine Michael Smith for literary misfit magnificence. Levine hamstrings what could have been a seamless flow with extraneous details that may discourage readers with short attention spans. And t.m.i. may also[unintentionally?] define what Oops is, robbing even a diehard reader of discovering it for himself/herself.

But for those who can stay with it, Johnny Oops is ultimately a rewarding and mostly well-crafted character study that is a modern re-imagination of "A Catcher in the Rye" and "Stranger in a Strange Land", as it graphically presents a strong central character wrestling to control (and make sense of) the wild inner and outer worlds he has helped to trap himself in.

I purchased JOHNNY OOPS (Kindle Edition) by ARTHUR LEVINE and once I started reading, I honestly could not take my eyes off the screen! I wanted to find out WHO and WHAT JOHNNY OOPS is (was). ARTHUR LEVINE has created JOHNNY OOPS who springs to life in the author's very descriptive words, with cinematic scenes and supporting cast of characters that the reader just feels like he/she KNOWS them. Many, many twists and turns that will have you laughing, and being held in suspence until you turn the page. I loved this book and hope Mr. Levine continues JOHNNY OOPS' travels across this vast land. JOHNNY OOPS deserves FIVE STARS and I highly recommend it.

Michael Phelps

"Johnny Oops" is a fun, quirky read filled with colorful characters and many laugh-out-loud moments. The author, Arthur Levine, has given us a witty, well-written social commentary with great character development and a smart, offbeat plot. I will leave it to the reader to discern whether Johnny is a charlatan, a sex maniac, or a prophet. I will say, though, that he is one heck of a comeback king!

Don't be fooled by the cover. This is not science fiction but one of the best romps with an angsty teenager searching for himself through sex, psuedo-religion, sex and more sex. Wryly told, you cannot help but adore Johnny Ooops and hope that eventually he will find peace for his pysche, his soul and his manhood. If you liked Catcher in the Rye, if you loved A Confederacy of Dunces then you will adore Johnny Ooops. Highly recommended for those who like smartly written, terribly inventive, totally fun reads.

If you want a good laugh and a highly entertaining journey, try Arthur Levine's JOHNNY OOPS.

I've never laughed so hard reading a book in years. My wife kept looking at me as if I was crazy. This is a modern day CATCHER IN THE RYE and a coming of age novel like no other. Some of Johnny's adventures reminded me of my own youthful experiences, epecially the parts dealing with his high school newspaper and an article that gets him in trouble. Same thing happened to me as a high school journalist. The great irony was that later as an adult journalist I had the opportunity to interview the same principal who disciplined me as part of another story.

Johnny is a self-professed genius philosopher, prophet and sex maniac and Levine does an expert sendup of religion and tele evangelists. Some people may be offended. Who cares, get a sense of humor. I think even God would laugh at this one.

I highly recommend this novel and it is certainly unique in current literature. I look forward to reading more of the Oops family adventures.

Arthur Levine is the Messenger and he brings us the Word!

James A. Anderson,

Author, DEADLINE

I went into this expecting a diary-type book about the trials and tribulations of a typical growing guy... something that has been "done to death" over the years, since Adrian Mole burst onto the scene many years ago.

... and yes, this WAS the trials and tribulations of a... well, a guy... but that is where any similarity ended.

Levine showed superb style throughout this book, especially with the humorous elements that make this book into the great read it is. There are more than enough twists and turns in this book to keep you reading. Everything from the characters to the places are written so consistently well, the story flows and rolls between superb bouts of apathy and frustration as Johnny paddles his way through life.

It's a while since I bought a book based on just wanting a good laugh, and Johnny Oops delivered on every level, and then a few I had never considered. I have to recommend this purely based on that fact.

The second book is already primed in my Kindle and will be taking a prominent role in my TBR list. So, if you are looking for a genuinely fun read, I recommend this whole-heartedly.

Excellent!

Once this reader got started on this strange journey of Johnny Oops, I just HAD to keep reading to try and figure him out! He kept questioning himself, asking if he was indeed REAL or are we all being manipulated by the biggest game-player of us all? I think his wife was the sanest person in this book filled with odd characters and I'm not so sure of her! His own psychiatrist lives in an asylum and yet Johnny goes to him for advice and comfort when he feels down and doesn't know what to do with his life. Being "born again" at least four times, still doesn't fulfill his wish to take comfort in a Supreme Being. I do believe it is the oddest book I've ever read, and I've read some doozies! Have fun with this one!

`Johnny Oops' took me to a place I felt that I had been before growing up as a youth filled with questions and anxieties about what was important and what I believed in. At times I would laugh out loud so hard I went into a coughing fit, at other times, the dialogue was so real, I wondered if the author had been able to watch my life unfold from a short distance. This is an extremely well written and witty story, filled with characters most of us know and perhaps some we wished we didn't.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be held captive by engaging storytelling. Arthur Levine's `Johnny Oops' will keep you mesmerized by the very realistic characters portrayed throughout the book, their charm and his ability to weave the main characters' sociopathic personalities flawlessly. Do not miss this tale as it is sure to become a favorite on your bookshelf. I look forward to the further adventures of `Johnny Oops' and hope Mr. Levine continues to keep us as well entertained as he did here.