Pagan Babies

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 320 pages
• Published by: Plume March 1, 1994
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0452271320
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0452271326
• Book Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 8 ounces

From Publishers Weekly
This first novel by short-story writer Johnson ( A Friendly Deceit ) regrettably exhibits some of the classic flaws of a debut work: an episodic "and then . . . and then" style; telling more than showing (i.e., relentless over-explanation); lack of clear plot development; and an implausible ending. The two main characters, Janice Rungren and Clifford Bannon, meet as third-graders at the Catholic school within Sacred Heart parish in Vyler, a small Texas city, in the 1960s; Janice is the flirt, Clifford the brooding artiste. The accoutrements and environment of the Church are rendered as caricatures: stigmata, First Communion, even the "pagan babies" of the book's title--children of undeveloped countries visited by Maryknoll missionaries. Although these religious trappings and customs are amusing or fascinating at times, they're no substitute for a story line. Mental illness, death, personal tragedy, middle-class angst and '60s drug stupor all factor in the plot, though not to advantage. Jancie and Clifford move beyond friendship to intimacy before parting ways; preposterously, they wind up in Atlanta together as adults, she husband-hunting, he more openly gay. Assiduous editing could have rendered both the gay and heterosexual characters more believable. Even the dialogue rings hollow and contrived.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
They grow up together as Catholic misfits. They are soulmates and far-too-young lovers. But as the 1960s fade into the 1970s, Clifford Bannon's intensity takes him someplace Janice Rungren can't follow: into the fevered world of gay discos. Though they are almost lost to each other several times, Janice and Clifford's friendship survives, even when both fall in love with the same man. Pagan Babies sweeps through the sexual revolution and into the age of AIDS with all its powers of revelation intact. How the Catholic Church lingers on in the lives of ex-Catholics is also well depicted. An impressive, insightful first novel from Johnson, whose short story collections ( Distant Friends, LJ 11/1/90 and Friendly Deceit , Johns Hopkins Univ . Pr . , 1992) earned widespread critical acclaim.
- Keddy Ann Outlaw, Harris Cty. P.L., Houston
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reader Reviews
This was a random purchase while perusing a thrift shop on a Saturday afternoon. The novel begins with its main characters, Janice and Clifford, at a catholic elementary school. I expect that the novel will end with them as adults with a host of issues resulting from their catholic upbringing. I don't know for certain that this is the case because after 100 pages of text I lost interest in the story, characters and author. Johnson doesn't offer any cleaver insight into "The Church" or how its influence affects the psyche of the characters. The writing is clear, nothing really creative, but easy enough to digest. Those readers who have grown up or are growing up catholic, may better connect with the characters and story given their familiarity with some of the rudimentary scenes offered in the novel. As a non-Catholic, I had hoped that the author would be able to introduce and connect me to a catholic upbringing experience through his character's story. Perhaps, I had hoped, the author would offer some insight or perspective on the history of sexual abuse within the church. Well no such luck. Due to languid, flat characters and image-less writing, I could not commit to the remaining half of the novel. Unfortunately, the best part of the book seems to be the review on the back page. Can't recommend this one.