• Reviews

• All
• Music
• DVDs
• Live
• Cinema
• TV
• Books
• Comic Books
• Video Games

Jul 29, 2019 By Frank Valish

Craven Rock’s written documentary of Insane Clown Posse’s annual Gathering of the Juggalos festival is subtitled “A Gonzo Ethnology of America’s Most Misunderstood Clowns.” While the book is not exactly as collegiate as this subtitle might suggest, it does work as a sociological study of sorts, finding Rock going undercover to learn about the ways of the Juggalos (and -ettes).

Rock, a former punk rock kid and by no means an ICP enthusiast, immerses himself in the experience of the Gathering to hopefully glean some universal truths about the group, their fans, and the scene they represent. As one might expect, Juggalo Country ends up being largely a study in contradictions. ICP and Juggalos stand for family, yet outsiders, such as Rock, are not always welcome and at times are ridiculed and even threatened. Everyone is purportedly equal, yet misogyny and violence rules the day. ICP preaches religious devotion yet read any lyric presented in the book and the truth seems otherwise.

Overall, Juggalo Country is an engaging read, albeit one that at times holds one’s attention out of sheer disgust. Rock argues that being disgusted is a mindset that misses the truth of the matter that Juggalos are bonded by poverty, abuse, and other societal ills, that the “family” engendered by this community of sorts is greater than the sum of its disturbing parts. Yet for each instance of familial support at the Gathering, there seem to be two examples of hedonism, abuse, and degradation. Perhaps the conclusion to be drawn is a myriad and inconclusive one.

(www.microcosmpublishing.com)

Author rating: 6.5/10