Pioneer, Go Home!

by Richard Powell

Book Overview

This 50th anniversary edition restores Richard Powell s uproarious 1959 New York Times bestselling novel and includes a new preface by the author. Pioneer, Go Home! ranks among the most entertaining... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• ISBN: B000TYMZ0A
• Release Date: January 1960
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A real gem

This book tells the saga of the Kwimpers of Cranbury County, New Jersey, who decide to teach the government a lesson by homesteading on the fill that was trucked in to support a highway bridge. The story is told through the voice of Toby Kwimper, the family's eldest son, an elementary school football star (he never got much further than elementary school on account of repeating so much), who the girls all find irresistible. Of course, Toby has his own way of resisting the girls so that they don't get the better of him. In fact, through honesty and good will, Toby manages to persevere through all the calamities that the government, the neighbors, and Mother Nature can think to throw at him, his family. This book was sheer delight to read. I just hope Toby's still out there on his land in Columbiana because I would love to meet him someday.

Great comedic novel

This is one of Richard Powell's best books. It's main characters are a family of New Jersey Piney's. As Powell grew up in Philadelphia and later retired to Florida, he obviously knew a lot about the people and the places he wrote about. The Kwimper family is hysterical. Particularly the father, who feels he is helping the government by taking advantage of their various assistance programs. The book is a true satire in that regard. The main character, Toby Kwimper (played by Elvis in the movie version "Follow that Dream") is your classic big strong dope with a heart of gold. Like all Powell novel's it's very cleverly put together with great dialogue. If you like this book, check out some of Powell's better known novels: "The Philadelphia" (later made into a movie starring Paul Newman), and my all time favorite, and Powell's last and greatest novel "Whom the Gods Would Destory" (about the Trojan War, Helen of Troy, Odyssey cycle of stories - a truly great read). Powell at one time was a creative writing teacher at Syracuse Univ and it shows. He's one of my favorite authors.

A Classic of Florida

"Pioneer, Go Home!" is great fun to read. I read it as a teen in the spring of '61 on a trip from Ohio to Florida. Mom, my Aunt and I went to the movies soon after we arrived. The movie was "Follow That Dream" starring Elvis Presley. As it turned out, the movie just happened to be based on the book I had just read on the way down to Florida! I read the Reader's Digest condensed version at the time. A few years ago, I was able to find a copy of the book. It really is that good! I have read and reread it many times. It is always fun! I would recommend it highly to anyone who loves fun books and has been to Florida in the 50's or early 60's. You will like the movie, too. This portrays a more natural Elvis than his usual movies do. The story takes you back to 50's Florida when it was unique in its own way.

Great book - funny and warm

At the time I read this book, I hadn't even heard of it. My mother recommended it to me, for which I am grateful. The characters are funny, but at the same time they are real and touching. The other characters are a delight and the story logically progresses. The end is totally satisfying and, at times, totally unexpected. This book should go back into print.

An excellent satire on the premise Go West young man!

This is one of the funnist books I have read and I would go back to it again and a again only some swine has borrowed it . It is the story of Pa and the twins and Holly and the narrator who break down on a new road in the middle of nowhere and build a community out of notheing but their igenuity and Pa's need to beat the Government! It has farce, satire and pathos and is very very easy to read. Enjoy.