Poe's Dangerous Juggling Journey

Bruce Von Stiers

Penn Jillette has been called a “cultural phenomenon.” He is a magician, a comedian, a podcast entertainer and an author.

A while back I had the opportunity to review Jillette's novel, Random. It was a great crime novel.

Now Jillette is back with another crime novel. But just like Random, this one is not a typical crime novel. It is funny, irreverent and a great read. The title of the book, appropriately, is Felony Juggler. It is being published by Akashic Books.

Jillette introduces us to Poe, a young man in the early 1970's. Poe is a smart guy, scoring high enough on the SATs that he feels he doesn't have to go to school anymore. He wants to bum around the country, hitchhiking. He does a little bit of this, and after graduating high school, hits the road.

While he was working towards his vagabond lifestyle, Poe also learned how to juggle. And he got pretty good at it. Poe eventually settles into an entertainer's existence in Philadelphia.

But, getting sucked into helping commit a crime, Poe suddenly finds himself on the run. He went from being a better than average juggler to a felony murderer. And he hadn't even killed anyone.

Having been a big Bob Dylan fan, Poe eventually finds his way to Dylan's hometown. He begins to establish himself with a new identity. But he just can't give up juggling.

The remainder of the book weaves its way through Poe's new life, He gets a girlfriend and through a series of events, begins entertaining people through juggling. But the past is always just a step behind him, lapping at his heels. When the past does catch up with him, Poe must do something drastic in order not to lose everything he's gained.

From a gang of street kids who work with Poe, who later in the book calls himself Tiny, to his girlfriend Marion, to Bee, the charismatic street magician who enticed Poe into a criminal act, the people in the book are larger than life. None of them fit into the straight and narrow, but are perfect complements to Poe's, and later as Tony, path through life.

Jillette has stated that the first part of the book is loosely based on his real life. The other part, the crime, being on the run, and establishing a new identity were all figments of his imagination. And what an imaginative tale this book is. It is funny, irreverent and thoroughly entertaining with just a touch of danger thrown it.

Felony Juggler will be available on May 5 th at most major book retailers. To find out more, visit the Akashic Books website at www.Akashicbooks.com

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© 2025 Bruce E Von Stiers