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(More customer reviews)As you may or may not have noticed, I am writing this review approximately three weeks before Jam & the Box's official release date. Lest you think that this is some sort of diabolical subterfuge on the part of the author -- or, worse, that I am a cyborg from the future trying to destroy humankind through the insidious abuse of Amazon.com's customer review system -- let me assure you that this is not the case. I am merely a friend of the author's who was privileged enough to obtain an advance copy of the novel, and have thus decided to kick things off here in the comments section. Before you decry my inherent bias (a fair accusation, I must admit), allow me to draw your attention to the fact that I have not arbitrarily given Jam & the Box a five star review. This is because I am an honorable and classy gentleman with an impugnable reputation whose literary integrity cannot be bought (or even rented for a few hours) no matter how many free copies of your book you throw at me, Bob. (Err, hypothetically speaking, of course.) In any case, why would I even bother to identify my relationship with the author if I only intended to underhandedly boost his Amazon score?
Now that I have allayed (or, potentially, confirmed) your suspicious about my objectivity in this matter, allow me to move on to the review. Though I don't intend to discuss the specific contents of the novel, as these are aptly summarized in Amazon's description above (suffice it to say, the butler did it), I would like to point out that, as a 25-year-old male, I am approximately the least desirable target among Jam & the Box's intended demographic. And yet, I found the story fairly appealing nonetheless -- even excepting the fact that I was and am friends with the author. First of all, the characterization is superb. The persons referenced within are fully fleshed out INDIVIDUALS, each with his or her own deliciously unique quirks and quarks. As the story revolves around a rather large ensemble cast beyond the titular Jamison "Jam" James, it is no small accomplishment to have made each character stand apart from the rest and become someone that you can easily envision meeting on any given day in this small New York town.
Second of all, though not a "comic novel" per se (a term that causes the author to shudder, I assure you), there is genuine humor throughout the telling, not the least of which is due to the ever-amusing failings and foibles of the local townspeople. It doesn't hit you over the head with obvious jokes, but you'll find yourself chuckling in the most unexpected places -- perhaps even out loud.
Finally, beyond the McGuffin-y (look it up) premise that initially unites this group of disparate citizens over a simple Macintosh computer, there is a legitimately intriguing story underlying the entertaining characters and vivid set pieces. I wouldn't go so far as to put the book in the Mystery section, but mystery it contains (and in the form of an attractive dark-haired stranger, no less). And if you didn't guess from that last line that there's a decent dollop of romance within these 272 pages too, then you, sir, need to bring your inference-ometer in for a tune-up.
So who should read this book? Well, frankly, I wouldn't get it for your kid brother. However, if anyone in your family is a certified Mac addict, they may get a kick out of it. And I have a feeling that your mother, grandmother, aunt, and/or older sister would probably enjoy the small-town antics of this multi-generational cast of characters, as well as the previously alluded to romantic intrigue. For that matter, friends and family in upstate New York are sure to recognize and appreciate many of the similarities between the fictional Highkill and their own personal places of residence (especially if they've ever lived in or even been to a certain New York town in which a famous concert may or may not have been held one fateful summer...).
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Jam & the BoxVeteran book editor Robert B. Wyatt in his first novel delivers a story about books, computers, cats, and friendships in upstate New York. Jamison "Jam" James, a bookstore owner discovers a carton containing a MacBook left behind after the death of his wife, Bay. At first reluctant to deal with the computer, he ceremoniously opens the box at the insistence of the Macs, a circle of his wife's friends devoted to Macintosh technologies. The opening of the box heralds a new life for the grieving bookseller as the motley Macs-a radio announcer, a musician, a writer, two students, and a businessman-share their knowledge of Jam's late wife, a charismatic village do-gooder who has concealed her past. Jam's increasing curiosity is piqued when Rosa, a glamorous stranger, comes to town in hopes of writing an article about Bay. Jam's life is beset by complications provoked by the Macs, Rosa, and other friends from Bay's past, as well as a couple of over-sensitive cats, who harbor additional secrets. As old memories merge with discoveries, Jam's quiet attraction to the young woman provides an unexpected understanding of his wife's amazing hidden life, bringing him back around to happiness. Website: www.wyattbook.com
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