Mike Magnuson does a wonderful job with this book. The insight he provides us in to the life of the main character, Gunnar Lund, is wonderful and vivid. Gunnar is a simple man, from a simple background, who has followed what he believes to be love to the big city. Having left his job of many years as a factory worker, the only job he is able to obtain in his new life is that of a collector and repo man for a furniture rental business. Buried by the emotional baggage of a job he hates and a somewhat mentally abusive relationship, Gunnar dreams daily of returning home to Wisconsin and the simple, comfortable life he left behind. Mr. Magnuson is a powerful writer, and does a wonderful job capturing the horrible emotional aspects of the job of a repo man, and the affects of the job on Gunnar's life. From page one to the end, when a surprising turn of events allows Gunnar the opportunity he has been hoping for, you will be riveted. Gunnar Lund is a character you will understand and relate to, and not be able to forget.

Mike Magnuson possesses a powerful command of language. "The Right Man for the Job" grabs the reader with its stark realism and dark, gusty prose. Gunnar Lund is decidedly an anti-hero, but the reader empathizes with him as he drags along through the sewers of life. The boldness with which racial tensions are explored as this white narrator prowls about through a mostly African-American world rates special praise. Magnuson never falters from his task of bringing us a cruel, intensely real landscape, and he never slows his pace or loses his edge. This book is a fine example of a superbly fresh writer for the new millenium.

Magnuson's first effort is an incredibly fine look at racism and transplantation. The premise for it, a red-headed white guy from northern Wisconsin moves to inner Cleveland and becomes a repo man, sounds rather like the pitch for a bad sitcom, but let me tell you, buddy, sitcom this ain't.

Magnuson's writing is damn fine. It opens the reader's eyes and puts them in a world they would never expect, in the mind of a character who, while not always likable, ultimately leads the reader to a higher understanding of what redemption means.

Read it, love it, it is MAGnificent.

In Mike Magnuson's second book, he takes on the subjects of God, adultery, drunkenness, and smalltown celebrity--blasheming all four in the process. There is much in this book to offend; but much more to entertain, consider, and read over and over. Again, his images and language are the freshest and most vivid of any writer working today. When book burnings become fashionable again, the holier than thou powers that be will likely soak Fire Gospels in kerosene, torch it, and fling it into the pile of imitations to get the rest going. Magnuson would burn there with D.H. Lawrence, Henry Miller and Erica Jong. I am sure the author would glorify in the prominence, and he would likely lug in a keg a Leinenkugels and crate of marshmallows to light up the crowd.

In describing famous conflagrations, Pepys in Picadilly (1666) and Pliny in Pompeii (AD79) foreshadow plenty of disaster in Mike Magnuson's new novel. THE FIRE GOSPELS enchanted this reader because it depicts realistic characters with a callus on their palms, and sometimes, their souls. Condensing the action to one long, firey weekend, and writing in the present tense, Magnuson shifts the perspective among Grady McCann, his wife Erica and his fantasy girl, Kate. This reader believes the words and actions of each. None of them has fingers long enough to scratch irritating questions about the efficacy of prayer, the nature of faith, or having faith in nature. All act out answers to the big question of what happens to grace under the pressure of a drought. This reader admires these characters because they act rather than reflect. Grady rails against the false promises of that contemporary prophet, the weatherman. This villain, named Lucky, preens before the camera, uses words to mislead and gets his comeuppance. I admire old-fashioned stories where motive replaces minimalism and characters fortify themselves with a shot and a beer, not with a decafe latte, before they confront real problems. I urge others to read this book now, in the long days of summer. Reading it near the fireplace or the woodstove may induce nightmares.

Having had Mike Magnuson as a prof @ Mankato State for the Comp 102 class, I had the opportunity to read a segment of "The Right Man for the Job" back when it was still entitled "The Cheese Stands Alone"...bought myself a copy as soon as it hit shelves. I picked up "The Fire Gospels" last night and read, literally, until I fell asleep. I'm only through the first 5 chapters, and I can't wait to get the f--k out of the office today and get back to this book. (Hey Mike! I wound up switching from Computer Science to Creative Writing!)

O.K. first of all this is a book that you get totally engrossed in and will have to read all at once. Now, this is not for the faint of heart. There is some coarse language and perhaps off putting situations to some, but you cannot find a more honest accounting of actual life, just like it happens every day and then to top it off it is written with such style and hilarity that it is a shame when the book ends. Mr. Magnuson drew me into his story and I never wanted it to end. I laughed so much, and yet there were many important points to ponder. I will now be on the look out for all his work. This is sure to be on my own personal top 10 books of the year list.

Mike Magnuson has tapped into the soul of the everyday man. His memoir speaks what so many of us out there living that life can't which is we are what we are. His prose is easy to read yet fully utilizes every available avenue with which to deliver his message. If you do not enjoy this book, you do not know yourself.

I was sold when I saw his gut ornamented with the 'Champagne of Beers' and read the quote which he introduced the book. I knew I just had to read this book and Lummox is probably the funniest and most insightful book I have ever read about how men evolve. I couldn't put it down. My wife was wondering why I was lauging out loud while I was reading it. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to be fully entertained and gain a perspective on the inner workings of 'guys' - their rough exterior combined with their sensitive & intelligent inner core. His journey though life illustrates the rollercoaster that everyone goes through and how to maintain laughter during the peaks and valleys. I hope that Mike Magnuson gets the recognition he deserves for this book!