Commonwealth by Joey Goebel
Goebel's Best Book To Date
Joey Goebel s biggest and funniest novel yet, about red state politics,
family traditions, and what happens when the common man fights back.
Somewhere in the middle of America dwells Blue Gene Mapother, a
trashy, mullet-headed Wal-Mart stockboy-turned-flea-marketer who
staunchly supports any American war effort without question. Besides
patriotism, little enlivens him except pro wrestling, cigarette breaks, and
any instance in which he thinks his masculinity is at stake. Curiously, he
is also a member of one of the wealthiest families in the country; brother to
John Hurstbourne Mapother, an up-and-coming politician who decides that
Blue Genes low-class style could be useful, not harmful to his
Congressional campaign. Through dark humor and cinematic story-
telling, this small-town epic winds through flea markets to mansions to
abandoned Wal-Mart buildings, all the while dramatizing the deranged,
absurd relationship between the high and low class of America.
Personal Review: Commonwealth by Joey Goebel

Commonwealth is a fast paced, well written novel that kept me interested
throughout. Joey Goebel has succeeded in creating an eclectic mix of
characters without relying entirely on stereotypes. There are a few that do
not go outside the expected area - the redneck Josh Balsam or the
patriarch Henry Mapother - but most of the rest blend in complexities and
are truly believable. The lead, Blue Jean Mapother, is a likable common
man from an uncommon family, and remains sympathetic throughout even
when making mistakes. The relationships within the Mapother family
during John Mapother's run for the House are truly a testament to
dysfunctional families and changing American morals and values.
These characters try to make the world black and white but shades of gray
constantly make there way in, until sometimes they aren't quite sure just
what their fundamental beliefs are. Just like real people, there are multiple
sides to every event, past and present, and just when you think you have
someone pigeon-holed a new viewpoint or retelling makes you reconsider
just who is telling the truth.
The style comes across as effortless, smoothly blending in flashbacks to
supply back story and explain current situations, while constantly moving
the story forward. A few surprising turning points and revelations increase
the tension up until Election day.
I highly recommend this entertaining and thought provoking book.
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