Caught momentarily in this northeastern city on the Hudson, author Joseph Yakel took a quick time out to give his reaction to recent comments that his literary giant, "The Legend of Juggin Joe", has essentially resurrected the American Classic Book from near-extinction and been cited by many as THE CATALYST for the triumphant renaissance of the comedy / melodrama story in international literary circles.
Without pause, Yakel said, "Certainly, I'll leave comments like those for others to orate, though I mightn't fault them for such comparisons. Sure, I'm aware that Juggin Joe is the kind of iconic literary work that somehow spans the ethereal boundary between the material and cosmic world. I would also agree that the precision of my writing serves as the delicate fulcrum balancing these two interwoven realities. How could I diverge with such appraisals? What it really distills down to is this: People know what they like."
Noting that the book is rooted in the Town of Westerlo, NY, and that the story centers around the life and times of a hilltown boy dubbed 'Juggin Joe', for his uncanny musical abilities with the jug, Yakel was asked if it is true he grew up in the same area. Yakel nodded, saying, "Of course, I have ties to Westerlo and the Capital region. I know the area well. In fact, plenty's the times I spent at Onderdonk, enjoying the varied refreshments the lake has to offer. The froggin' is especially good in that neck of the woods, but it's an attraction that most flatlanders don't have an appreciation for."
Pressed as to whether or not Juggin Joe and his antics are based upon Yakel's own amazing life, the author let out a laugh, and winked to those around him, but said nothing more.
So why was the book written entirely in a 'country speak' dialogue? Yakel said, "It's obvious that city slickers and hill folk don't talk the same way...mind you, those speaking differences don't amount to a hill of beans. In the end, folks understand one another, and the dialect just happens to be the way it is. What better way to convey the true sense of the story, and get inside the minds of the characters, than by writing the story the way it was meant to be read and spoken? To my knowledge, it's never been done before. Sure, with this crafted dialogue, I've broken new literary ground, but I'm used to such things. Look it, if you pick up this book, and begin to talk 'country' to yourself, by either replaying the words in your mind, or aloud, then congratulations, you've successfully bridged the material world we spoke of earlier, and can count yourself among those touched by Joe. He has that affect on people. It's what he does."
It's been duly noted that the book covers, which are front and back images of Juggin Joe on a hillside overlooking his cabin, are simply breathtaking creations of intricate detail. Many wondered what inspired Yakel to come up with the cover design. Clearly pleased with the positive response to the covers, Yakel said, "I wanted all people, wherever they happen to be from, to experience the wonder of upstate New York, and the real magic that only Juggin Joe can provide. The vision of Joe on the hills of Albany County was mine, of course, but I must tell you that the projection of my vision; the handiwork and mastery of the cover art, if you will, belongs to my friend, Jonathan Fesmire. He is simply brilliant at what he does in the computer generated graphics medium."
Before being whisked away, Yakel added, "It's true that I have been called a whirling dervish by some. I'm certainly not one to take such a profound compliment lightly. But really, who I am is who I am. Now then, it's always a pleasure to speak with my friends, but I must be going...Remember, if you keep on reading, the legend will live on forever." And with that, almost as quickly as he came, the great one, Joseph Yakel, was gone once more.
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