Allie Fox is going to re-create the world. Abominating the cops, crooks, junkies and scavengers of modern America, he abandons civilization and takes the family to live in the Honduran jungle. There his tortured, messianic genius keeps them alive, his hoarse tirades harrying them through a diseased and dirty Eden towards unimaginable darkness.
©1982 Cape Cod Scriveners (P)2010 Recorded Books LLC
"Gripping story and travelogue"
I didn't think I could stand Allie for the length of the book; his character's brillance didn't make up for his insuffrable nature. Theroux, telling the book from the POV of Charley, made me sympathetic. The insight into a man teetering on the edge of obession and madness was intriguing and perspicacious; describing "Fatboy" as a reflection of Allie's mind was a great metaphor. You can understand how a man, held in check by our society, goes off into the wild and follows his instincts to the inevitable consequences. It was also a gripping story that raised valid issues about America and our values. And a great travel story as well - well researched and I could feel the country. It played into my fantasies of "what would I do if stranded on a desert island."
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT.
"a vey good book."
i never read the print version but think i saw the movie.
the characters were so well developed. allie reminded me of an exagerated archie bunker but he was still believable. it was an unusual setting.
yes he is consistantly good!
allie's wife. i would like to know why she stayed married to such a egotistical,crazy, offensive man--even tho he was a genius.
i will read this book many times! it was so good i read it in two days.