‘Vernon God Little’ by DBC Pierre is an incredibly bitter satire. It offers the most powerful and high-end literary acerbic social commentary on contemporary small-town life and the cable news media that I have ever come across. The novel manages to deliver this biting critique while still having an underlying emotional warmth. Pierre won the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 2003 for this work.

The plot is tight and fast-paced, written in a fun and rollicking style that combines comedy and drama. It is also a masterful display of wordplay. The story follows fifteen-year-old Vernon God Little, who is wrongly convicted of murder in his community of Martirio, Texas, long before any investigation takes place. After his best friend Jesus shoots sixteen kids in the schoolyard, Vernon becomes a suspect due to his association with Jesus and some unfortunate statements he makes. A TV repairman, Eulalio Ledesma, masquerades as a cable news journalist and further intensifies the town's reactions through slanted reporting.

When the police come for Vernon, he flees to Mexico but soon finds himself in trouble again. What happens to Vernon is a miscarriage of justice, but the author uses satire to great effect, making the reader laugh and cry at the same time. The artful use of language in the novel is truly a writing gem. The author takes English and uses it as a playground of words, creating sentences that are both inventive and innovative. The wordplay holds up throughout the entire book, from the first paragraph to the last.

I highly recommend this novel, although it does require a deep knowledge of English and American culture to fully appreciate. It is a forgotten or even buried jewel that is well worth rediscovering. I can't wait to read it again and explore its many layers and nuances further.

Mom's best friend is named Palmyra, but everyone calls her Pam. She is significantly fatter than Mom. This physical difference makes Mom feel good in her presence. Mom has other friends too, but they are slimmer and not considered her best friends.

Fifteen-year-old Vernon Gregory's life is completely and extremely disrupted when his best friend goes on a rampage and murders their classmates. However, for DBC, that's not the main story. The real story is how this atrocity attracts the worst people, behaviors, and mentalities, who feed off the pain and hurt for their own personal gain. It's a broadside against the worst aspects of capitalism, consumerism, and individualism, using a cavalcade of biting satire and a monumental off-key and darkly comedic narrator in Vernon.

This book is a whirlwind. It's a must-read, although it should be noted that it contains explicit language, anal-fixations, abuse, and a whole host of other triggers. It's like the 21st-century version of "The Catcher in the Rye," and it takes no prisoners!

DBC (Dirty But Clean) Pierre's first novel is a slam dunk life affirmer that there are other stories out there. It feels like a mash-up of Chuck Palahniuk, Oscar Wilde, and South Park(!), with so many great one-liners, great insights, and wit. And most importantly - do you want to know what it smells like? It reeks of originality. It gets a 9 out of 12 for the reread and a 7 out of 12 for the first read.

2020 read; 2007 read

I got this book from somewhere. I more or less randomly picked it off my shelves. The cover blurbs are really impressive. Moreover, this book won the Booker prize about ten years ago. So, we'll see how it goes. The writing style is truly unique and a bit challenging to read. It's sort of like a semi-literate teenage stream of consciousness, but on steroids. My patience and tolerance might be put to the test. In fact, my focus already has been.

This is a curious book. Most of the prose is a really funny and unrelenting assault on Billy Bob Amurca Texas-style. Every now and then, Vernon punctuates his tale with a poetic line or two. Is it realistic to expect a 15-year-old Vernon to speak like that? Perhaps not. And one needs to be careful not to overlook such gems while reading on. They can be easily missed.
Connections are inevitable and numerous. There are similarities to Huck Finn, L'Etranger, Idiocracy, A Confederacy of Dunces, The Catcher in the Rye, Flannery O'Connor, Fight Club, Cutter and Bone, and so on.
I still like this book a lot. The writing definitely grows on you. The author is like the Nabokov of hillbilly satire. This book would make an amazing movie! The plot is a direct steal of "The Pursuit of Happiness," although the author may never have even heard of that book. One more thing, this book is completely relevant to what's happening right now (1-31-2017) in this country politically, economically, and socially. Lally is like Trump and the citizens (particularly women) of Martirio are Trump enthusiasts. I may have to give it a 5*!
However, there is a quibble. Since Vernon is the vessel and outlet for the author's "stuff he's gotta say," he's just a bit too precocious for a 15-year-old. But, someone has to be the spokesperson! I guess an allowance must be made. Also, using "wisp" as a verb doesn't really work.
I finished the book last night with a slam-bang, crazy, and oh-so-satisfying, funny, and appropriate ending. This ending, however, is just a TAD chaotic and confusing. Oh well... DBC knows what us readers need and want.

I really enjoyed this novel, despite all the swearing.

It vividly captures the falseness of some individuals and their unwavering obsession to be something they're not. Vernon is wrongly accused of being an accomplice to a boy who commits the heinous act of murdering several of his classmates.

The situation quickly snowballs as everyone chases their two minutes of fame, and a journalist further manipulates the circumstances.

The book is extremely darkly comic, and I must admit that it has one of the finest endings I've come across in a long while. It's well worth delving into, filled with teenage angst and a great description of an escape to Mexico - or is it?

Poor Vernon, too, wants to believe in the goodness of people, but he is constantly let down by the harsh realities of the world.

Overall, this novel offers a thought-provoking and engaging read that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

I read this book several years ago and had only a vague recollection that I liked it. However, when I picked it up and read it again recently, I absolutely fell in love with it!

It is a gritty and politically incorrect piece of work that is both insightful and funny. The story is improbable yet seems entirely probable, and it is almost prophetic in its portrayal of the media and reality TV.

The protagonist, an insecure, smart yet dumb 15-year-old boy, is raging with pubescent hormones, which makes for a fascinating and engaging read. There is so much to love about this book, from its unique characters to its thought-provoking themes.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read that will make them laugh, think, and maybe even question some of their own beliefs. It is truly a gem that I will cherish for years to come.

If you could sum up Vernon God Little in three words, what would they be?
Dark, twisted, hilarious. These three words aptly capture the essence of this remarkable book. The story takes you on a journey through a world that is both disturbing and comical, filled with characters that are anything but ordinary.

What other book might you compare Vernon God Little to, and why?
The closest I can get is to say it's like 'Catcher In The Rye' if it had been written by Warren Ellis. This comparison highlights the unique blend of coming-of-age themes and edgy, offbeat storytelling that is present in Vernon God Little. Like 'Catcher In The Rye', it explores the inner turmoil and confusion of a young protagonist, but with a much darker and more irreverent twist.

Have you listened to any of Nick Landrum’s other performances? How does this one compare?
This is my first time listening to one of Nick Landrum's performances but he does an excellent job. His narration brings the characters and the story to life, adding an extra layer of depth and authenticity. I certainly hope to listen to more books he has narrated in the future.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
'If you think you're having a bad day, watch this and think again.' This tag line perfectly captures the essence of the book's dark humor and its ability to make you see the world in a different light. It also暗示了 the film would be a wild and unpredictable ride that would keep you on the edge of your seat.

Any additional comments?
Don't be put off by the tragic nature of this book's inciting incident. It is extremely well written and genuinely funny. The author has a remarkable ability to find humor in even the most unlikely of places, and this makes the book a truly enjoyable read. Definitely the best book I've read this year (as of the beginning of July, anyway). I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and engaging read.

Taken from my original review on Audible.co.uk

In school, there is a tragedy, and the blame is placed on a 16-year-old Vern.

He has enough of his own problems: a nagging mother, a friend who died (in the tragedy), chronic diarrhea, and an older girl whom he has to win over.

And here, there is also a prison cell shining.

Vernon is like Holden Caulfield of our century: everything annoys him, he values nothing, in order to learn how to value something (well, almost).

Vernon is constantly in a state of turmoil, feeling frustrated and lost. His life seems to be filled with one problem after another, and he doesn't know how to deal with them. The incident in school only adds to his stress and confusion.

Despite his many difficulties, Vernon shows some glimmers of hope. He still has the desire to win over the older girl, which indicates that he has some capacity for love and connection.

Perhaps through his experiences, Vernon will eventually learn to value the important things in life and find a way to move forward.

Review can also be read on our blog:

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In 2003, no one could have predicted that the author of the Booker Prize-winning novel would be DBC Pierre with "Vernon God Little". This is the most talked-about debut of the 21st century. As it should be, the book is truly remarkable!

In a town filled with fast food, reality shows, and rednecks, a tragic event occurs in a small town called Martirio. In school, one of the students shoots his 18 classmates and then himself. Vernon Gregory Little, an ordinary and unremarkable student, is suspected of being involved in the mass murder. The public, the judiciary, and the media demand his indictment. The judiciary convicts him, and the media, which is full of sensation and closed-mindedness, tries to make Vernon a new reality show star. As Vernon would say...

Before writing this review, I was interested in the opinions of other readers. Interestingly, such diverse and conflicting opinions often exist among the readers of a single work. This book either appeals to you greatly or you dislike it intensely. There are two poles among the readers, which constantly observe and give to this book. This is perhaps a good result that the author may have achieved.

One thing that must be known before starting to read the book is that this book is not about the mass murder that took place in school. It does not focus on current events, and the plot does not revolve around this. The reader who is looking for this in the book, such as the motives, the psychological analysis of the murderer, and others, will be disappointed. Therefore, it is recommended that you start reading the book without any preconceptions. This book is about a 15-year-old boy who is bullied by his classmates. Vernon's story unfolds in such a way that it seems like a game of hide-and-seek, and he himself becomes the only seeker.

First and foremost, what catches your eye is the frankness. Vernon is the main character who tells the story in the first person. He is a 15-year-old American boy from a small town. Is this a bit of a mouthful? If you were in his place, I'm sure you would be no less of a chatterbox. In my case, it would definitely be so. Secondly, what you will notice is the humorous, not nationalistic, sarcastic, ironic, almost absurd, and darkly humorous comparisons that Vernon uses to describe the people and situations around him. In principle, the book is filled with a dark, but not overly so, kind of humor. Every page of it is filled with such comparisons and frank, direct humor. How appropriate such humor is in a book about a tragedy, you decide. I, for one, am quite satisfied.

In the words of our main character, Vernon simply lives in a world created by his mother, in a small town in the southern United States, given by God. Vernon has always been in trouble (and trouble plays no small role in Vernon's life), just like everyone else there, but with Vernon - differently, you don't care, they have adapted to this trouble, and some even enjoy it. Where the unjust judiciary and the scandal-ridden media try to build their success on the misfortune of a 15-year-old boy. The book has 3 main characters: Vernon, absolute injustice, and total humiliation. All the other remaining characters are either servants of injustice or the reasons for Vernon's humiliation. This character has no respect for anyone, not even his own mother and beloved grandmother. It is difficult to describe such a world in kind words, where your own mother is more interested in a long novel than in your most important moments.

The author has presented a grotesque and satirical image of the United States, which is wrapped and smeared in a wrapper of greasy, ketchup-covered fast food. Where even the latest, seemingly promising, budding talent is trying to join the greasy part. The society for which the author has presented this image is more interested in reality shows and survival techniques and 15 minutes of fame than in the trial of an unjust and innocent person. The society that demands the condemnation of the accused and is not at all interested in the reason why Vernon's friend Jesus shot his classmates. The reason, as usual, is bullying. The reason is difficult to say - it seems that all the classmates of Jesus were trying to suppress and humiliate him, similar to bullying. All this has led to a catastrophe. The reader already knows from the beginning that Vernon is innocent, that he has an alibi, but the justice system and the media, which is blinded by the thirst for sensation, try to bring our main character to a guilty verdict. Everyone is trying to take advantage of the existing situation and benefit from it. In the satirical society created by the author, not only do they not accept people with different views or opinions, but they also try to maximize their condemnation, humiliation, and demoralization.

All the irony and cynicism - Jesus (in English, Jesus and Jesus are spelled the same) shoots the children and then commits suicide. The cynical reality show where the main characters are the jurors and the people shout the verdict that they will pronounce next. The reality show where the jurors, who have been selected from the general public, are actually the ones who are looking at the accused with their eyes. The business of making money from the trial - what could be more inhumane and cynical than this? Perhaps, in this "real" reality show, this is not the time to be short-sighted.

Despite the fact that the theme of the book is grotesque and disturbing, the style of narration is simple and easy to read. Perhaps this is because it is written in the language and manner of a 15-year-old boy. I'm sure that the events described from his perspective and the events happening around him will surely amaze you: "I wish I was Jean-Claude Van Damme. I would drive a big truck and live in a penthouse with a gorilla, but at least you can see me with your own eyes: I don't have a big head, I have some kind of curly hair, I look out of the corner of my eye at the national flag, and everything on my face is big and beautiful. In short, I'm like a little dog of my mother's. If God made me, maybe he would look at me with pity."

In general, Vernon is the kind of character who will surely win your sympathy and you will want to add something to his story.

The last few pages of the book are especially touching, and the reason for this is the juror Lasalle. The monologue that he creates for Vernon before the verdict is simply amazing and, in my opinion, a must-read. I read the entire monologue with pleasure, but I will not deprive you of this pleasure. I will only quote a small excerpt:

"Look up in life for help. Look around, we are here, look at the eyes and think. - He helps on the shoulder, provides materials on the street and dresses the defendant, - you yourself are your own God and master! Take responsibility for your actions! Use your power!"

"- As for people... look at the good in them... - He takes a cigarette from his pocket and shows us that we are all the same. He only looks at each of us once, then he takes his hand from his head and carefully looks at the second juror's cabin. In one minute, the sound of a gunshot is heard. From there, we hear the sound of each person being shot on the cigarette. The butt of the cigarette is lit on the ceiling of the cabin. The juror extinguishes the cigarette, then there is no thought of escape before the end. The power of the verdict. Lasalle returns with a smile and shouts to the cigarette in the air - understand, what are their demands and act. They will ask for your hand."

The original title is different from the title of the Georgian translation - "Vernon God Little". I don't know why the translator or editor decided to change "God" to "Genius". Especially when in almost every other case, the title is given in the same way in different languages. Only in one case is it changed, and there Jesus appears and it says "Jesus Von Texas". Vernon is God Little, exactly like God. Because he receives guidance and takes it into account. He looks up in life, takes responsibility for his actions, and becomes his own master. He gives everyone the benefit that they are trying to obtain at his expense. He understands what the society demands and gives everyone what they want. He creates an image and sells it to the stomach of the media that is full of sensation.

However, whether he will be able to get out of the trial acquitted, you must decide.

Sadness, the desire to help, compassion, empathy, solidarity, anger - these are the feelings that you will never forget when reading this book. Slang, sarcasm, chatter, humorous comparisons, irony, and dark humor - a wonderful combination that will make you want to read the book!

P.S.

In a few words about the author himself, whose real name is Peter Warren Finlay. He is an Australian writer who has immigrated to Mexico, and his biography is full of drug use, theft, and other scandals. He himself never hides his own, even if it is not very flattering past. On the contrary - his pseudonym DBC is decoded as - Dirty But Clean (dirty, but clean). Despite the fact that this book is his debut, as it seems, the author knows exactly what the reader wants and knows how to present all this to him in a wrapped form.

The Kafkaesque "Process" in modern state decorations.

A 15-year-old boy is suspected of participating in a mass shooting at school, although at that time he was engaged, excuse me, with the affairs of his intestine. And it happened. Very soon all the killings in different parts of the state, about 39, are attributed to him, so that there are not few. The boy does not simplify the matter because he is a stupid teenager with his maximalism, brutality and stubbornness. In general, this is a harsh, but also a true look at the justice system and the media of everything that is happening in the States. Look at how the elections are going there now and the absurdity of this book will no longer seem so incredible. At the same time, there is satire here, there is concern for the main character and a well-stylized language. Definitely an interesting experience.

A very long way short of what I was hoping for. It is truly exasperating to battle through a cast of complete morons who are doing progressively improbably ridiculous things. The tedium just keeps piling on. There is only a slight smattering of original commentary, which is nothing extraordinary at all. In fact, a lot of it is rather banal and uninteresting. Then, all of a sudden, in the last few pages, the story takes a turn and they all live happily ever after. This is pretty lame and amateurish really. It fails to engage the reader on a deeper level and lacks the substance and sophistication that one would expect from a well-written work. Certainly, this is not a recommend.

Vernon God Little is, in my opinion, an excruciatingly bad book. It is as lazy, as trite, and as smugly self-satisfied a satire as one can possibly imagine.

The plot is dreadfully boring, lacking any real substance or excitement. The characters are nothing more than cartoonish stereotypes, lacking depth and authenticity. The imagery employed is infantile, failing to engage the reader on a deeper level. The prose is abysmal, making it a chore to get through the pages.

The main theme, which is the media's voyeuristic obsession with violence and tragedy as entertainment, is so hackneyed that it has become almost meaningless. It is a middle-class fantasy of white-trash clichés, and it is easily one of the worst books I have ever had the misfortune to read. And believe me, I've read Rule of the Bone.

Review continues on: http://www.readingthebookerprize.com/

This was CERTAINLY a book that I should have read in paper copy rather than kindle copy.

Sadly, I feel that I missed some of the affect. It took me a good quarter of the book to really start to care about the characters.

However, I did appreciate it a lot. The story had its moments and the writing was engaging enough.

If possible, I would give it a 3.5 rating.

I think that reading it in paper form might have enhanced my experience, as I could have physically interacted with the book and perhaps picked up on more details.

Nonetheless, it was still a worthwhile read and I'm glad I gave it a chance.

Maybe in the future, I'll be more cautious about choosing the format in which I read a book.

Overall, it was an okay experience, but not one that I'll remember vividly for a long time.