Pop: An Illustrated Novel

Make sure to read "Trampoline" and "Weedeater" first! Well-drawn and empathetic characters, especially the primary protagonists Dawn Jewell and daughter Nicolette. In many cases I found myself laughing uproariously at the universal truths invoked by these two wise Appalachian philosophers. I was raised geographically close to Appalachia but at the same time, a world away. I have only later in life begun to study and celebrate this uniquely American culture. Mr. Gipe, thank you so much for such an enlightening journey.

It was very entertaining

This one blew me away. Hubert was a breakaway star in this one. I was particularly moved by his monologue in a cave in the latter half of the book. The final part of the book brought me right back to the end of 2016 and the roiling emotions all over the country. The voices in this book feel so authentic, and the laughs and the emotional gut punches just kept coming. There is so much despair but also hope, and some seriously relatable characters. These people are resourceful. Nicolette tugged at my heart and brought up the emotions I tend to associate with the younger generation, a kind of tentative hopefulness. I kept finding myself surprised with turns of events, but not in an unpleasant way. There is just enough magical realism to make this feel thoroughly Appalachian. The author’s underlying message about social justice rings loud and clear, and I am here for it. This was my favorite in the trilogy, and I think it ties things together rather well.

A member of our book club taught with Mr Gipe and introduced us to his writing. We have read "Trampoline" and "Weedeater" and thoroughly enjoyed both. However, "Pop" is by far the best of the three. The writing, the voices, are all amazing.Mr. Gipe has certainly staked his claim as one of the best of those writing about Appalachia.Don't read just this book. Go back and start with "Trampoline". It's quite a story.

Entertainment and cultural education

Robert Gipe has blown the lid off his already zany writing style with Pop, the conclusion to his Canard County Kentucky trilogy. It's a celebration of diverse Appalachia, told from three perspectives: that of Dawn Jewell Bilson, his original heroine from his first book Trampoline; Nicolete Bilson, her seventeen-year-old daughter; and their Uncle Hubert.A lot is crammed into these few pages. For just a start, there is a visiting movie crew, environmental destruction/activism, social media, holiday parties, ghosts, violent crimes and attempted assaults, witchcraft, a lengthy dream sequence, my favorite shoe store, and notably, a fledgling soda pop business featuring local flavors. run by Nicolette and her friends, from which the novel takes its name. The book is set in 2016, so there is an election and the birth of Trumpmania as well. The action spreads across at least four states. I am not sure I understand it all, but it sure was a helluva ride.As with the rest of the trilogy, the illustrations are hilarious, and pure genius. As a defense of the people and the region, I want to stand up and applaud Pop for its creativity and take up the phrase "nothing about us without us" directed at the wider culture, and Hollywood in particular, as a mantra.As an Appalachian myself, I can't help but nitpick about this one detail: while the description of boiling down syrup and pouring off was spot on (I have done it, with a tractor engine instead of a mule to extract the juice from the stalks), you don't make sorghum syrup from cane. Nicolette and friends are clearly making molasses. Sorghum is a "whole nuther" plant.I'm Robert Gipe's biggest fan and have told him so personally, but I believe that there are five or six potential novels here about a host of topics. The beauty of Trampoline and Weedeater was the contrast between poignancy and craziness, and in Pop our most talented new Appalachian author sometimes loses the pacing. I hardly felt that I could catch my breath long enough to do emotional justice to the sad parts. I hope he picks up some of these sociopolitical and comedic threads that are touched upon here and expands upon them in his future work, which I eagerly await.