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The Unreals
Waldo Billingsly has just received a sentimental letter from his grandfather, Old Hoss. It's a note that sets in motion a rollicking adventure full of characters with names like Brisbane and Phosphate, classic cars like 1965 Dodge Darts, magical cornfields, and top doo-woppers. The Unreals lives up to its namesake with everything from an Extremely Untouchable Ward to a Garden of Old Movie Monsters where one of the book's surreal characters, Bucktooth, comments, "This water sure tastes real."
Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
9 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Donald Jeffries
13 books98 followersAuthor of the best-sellers "Hidden History: An Expose of Modern Crimes, Conspiracies and Cover-Ups in American Politics," "Survival of the Richest," "Crimes and Cover Ups in American Politics: 1776-1963," "Bullyocracy," and "On Borrowed Fame." Jeffries also hosts the weekly live streaming show "I Protest," which is broadcast on the America Unplugged channel at Rokfin.com.
His 2007 sci-fi/fantasy "The Unreals" has been compared to "The Wizard of Oz" and "A Confederacy of Dunces," among other things. It has been praised by the likes of "Darconian's Cat" author, former Harvard Professor Alexander Theroux, and acclaimed screenwriter ("Night at the Museum") and actor ("Reno 911") Robert Ben Garant. A second edition of "The Unreals" was released in February 2015. Among the noteworthy figures who have praised his work are Ron Paul, Naomi Wolf, Roger Stone, Jesse Ventura, former "Brady Bunch" star Susan Olsen, and Oscar-nominated actress Sally Kirkland.
His 2007 sci-fi/fantasy "The Unreals" has been compared to "The Wizard of Oz" and "A Confederacy of Dunces," among other things. It has been praised by the likes of "Darconian's Cat" author, former Harvard Professor Alexander Theroux, and acclaimed screenwriter ("Night at the Museum") and actor ("Reno 911") Robert Ben Garant. A second edition of "The Unreals" was released in February 2015. Among the noteworthy figures who have praised his work are Ron Paul, Naomi Wolf, Roger Stone, Jesse Ventura, former "Brady Bunch" star Susan Olsen, and Oscar-nominated actress Sally Kirkland.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 14, 2008
Okay, it's my book, so I should love it! That said, I think it will appeal to most readers. In "The Unreals," a lonely young man discovers his grandfather has mysteriously disappeared, leaving a cryptic note behind. He is assisted in his quest to find him by a small group of companions, all of whom are far removed from the mainstream of society. After encountering numerous bizarre beings and places (including a time-traveling cornfield), they find themselves in a secretive section of an Iowa mental facility.
My book has been compared to "The Wizard Of Oz" and "Alice In Wonderland." It has also been likened to a lengthy episode of "The X-Files" or "The Twilight Zone." I myself have taken to describing it as a conspiratorial fairy tale.
My book has been compared to "The Wizard Of Oz" and "Alice In Wonderland." It has also been likened to a lengthy episode of "The X-Files" or "The Twilight Zone." I myself have taken to describing it as a conspiratorial fairy tale.
March 31, 2014
This was a really bad book - and 1 star is being gracious! Also, I am PRETTY sure I left a review on this - way back when I attempted to read it (2010?) - - but I see nothing now. It was too bad to finish, and I wish I had not wasted my time on the pages I did read. Hmmm! And, I have heard that Goodreads is allowing Authors to ask for removal of reviews they don't like (and that REALLY sucks!). But, bad is bad - and we should have the right to say so! I look to Goodreads to be the faithful custodian of non-malicious opinions - whereby I may gauge which books I might read. And, if an Author can't take constructive critique - shame on them! Maybe they should study their craft a bit more! Now, let's see if THIS gets purged!
June 4, 2012
Don Jeffries has managed to create a novel with a scope that is both sweeping and specific, broad and still focused. His story carries readers through an array of adventures, twists of plot, unexpected dialogue and events, and moments of redemption and angst. His expansive cast of characters grab hold of the reader's attention and manage to make themselves both believable and exciting to follow. THE UNREALS is a captivating and rollicking read.
July 25, 2012
Reading "The Unreals" reminded me of watching the original, classic movie "King Kong." The deliberate pacing the author adopts at the beginning, as he develops his fascinating characters and the world they inhabit in great detail, may lose some less patient readers. The middle and end make it all worthwhile, however, as Jeffries crafts a deep, complex work that provides food for the intellect on every page.
March 18, 2015
It's my first book- the second edition, published by Pocol Press.
April 22, 2019
I'm sorry.
This book went on and on. The characters were not believable. Some of the elements such as the song lyrics and pamphlets quoted in the story were interesting at first but became tiresome. The only way that I got to the sadly unsatisfying ending was by skipping large chunks of the book.
This book went on and on. The characters were not believable. Some of the elements such as the song lyrics and pamphlets quoted in the story were interesting at first but became tiresome. The only way that I got to the sadly unsatisfying ending was by skipping large chunks of the book.
June 26, 2014
THE UNREALS By Donald Jeffries
Call me kooky, but I love a good conspiracy theory...maybe it's my Asperger Syndrome or the fact that I was a professor for ten years, but I question everything to a fault so I felt right at home with the rich characters and loved to be absorbed in the story. And what a ride it was with Waldo Billingsly on his search from his grandfather to the quirky ex-history teacher, Professor Hiram Buckley, in his bright clashing wardrobe who truly was "a spectacle to behold," or the mysterious Sam Hancock, grandfathers best friend turned mental patient, and my favorite "fredneck" Brisbane who Waldo wanted to be friends with but was cynical about the whole idea of friendship (again the Aspie in me really got this cynicism since friendships are difficult for those on the autism spectrum), and who could forget those lovely twins Jeanne and Janie.
The conspiratorial writings were crazy-intriguing and their hunt/journey was a fun ride. Each new character that was encountered along the way brought new depth-at times I felt like I was in the Salvador Dali painting, The Persistence of Memory.
As an avid lover of Edgar Allen Poe, the injection of the jet black raven staring directly at the imprisoned Waldo, opening his beak and saying, "nevermore" really made me chuckle and seemed the perfect opening to the meeting of the doo-wop trio while they were behind bars - who of course agreed to join them on their search for Waldo's grandfather. The journey becomes more interesting as the "laws of reality" seemingly disappears and you want to shout, "Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore," or "Follow the yellow-brick road."
It's a fun read full of "unreals" who take you through conspiracies one purple sign after another...all in search of Abner "Old Hoss" Billingsly. This is one you won't want to miss! It's an endearing "mind over matter" adventure-not for the faint of heart as there is adult content/language-but quite a worthwhile read indeed.
Call me kooky, but I love a good conspiracy theory...maybe it's my Asperger Syndrome or the fact that I was a professor for ten years, but I question everything to a fault so I felt right at home with the rich characters and loved to be absorbed in the story. And what a ride it was with Waldo Billingsly on his search from his grandfather to the quirky ex-history teacher, Professor Hiram Buckley, in his bright clashing wardrobe who truly was "a spectacle to behold," or the mysterious Sam Hancock, grandfathers best friend turned mental patient, and my favorite "fredneck" Brisbane who Waldo wanted to be friends with but was cynical about the whole idea of friendship (again the Aspie in me really got this cynicism since friendships are difficult for those on the autism spectrum), and who could forget those lovely twins Jeanne and Janie.
The conspiratorial writings were crazy-intriguing and their hunt/journey was a fun ride. Each new character that was encountered along the way brought new depth-at times I felt like I was in the Salvador Dali painting, The Persistence of Memory.
As an avid lover of Edgar Allen Poe, the injection of the jet black raven staring directly at the imprisoned Waldo, opening his beak and saying, "nevermore" really made me chuckle and seemed the perfect opening to the meeting of the doo-wop trio while they were behind bars - who of course agreed to join them on their search for Waldo's grandfather. The journey becomes more interesting as the "laws of reality" seemingly disappears and you want to shout, "Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore," or "Follow the yellow-brick road."
It's a fun read full of "unreals" who take you through conspiracies one purple sign after another...all in search of Abner "Old Hoss" Billingsly. This is one you won't want to miss! It's an endearing "mind over matter" adventure-not for the faint of heart as there is adult content/language-but quite a worthwhile read indeed.
Want to read
November 15, 2008I will read soon.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews