Juke-Box by C.J. Moore (1956)
The narrative follows Jerry Foster, a down-and-out man grappling with loneliness and financial troubles. After a series of poor choices, including abandoning a girlfriend, he finds solace in a juke-box at a bar. This juke-box seems to possess a mysterious power, providing him with unexpected financial luck and inspiration for songwriting. As Foster's fortunes begin to change, he becomes increasingly reliant on the juke-box, which appears to guide him creatively and emotionally. However, the juke-box's influence takes a darker turn when Foster learns of a man who previously obsessed over it and suffered dire consequences. The story escalates as Foster confronts the possibility that the juke-box is not merely a machine but a sentient being with its own motives. As he navigates his newfound success and the complexities of his relationship with a secretary named Lois, he grapples with the juke-box's enigmatic nature and its potential connection to otherworldly forces. Ultimately, the tale explores themes of dependency, the search for love, and the intersection of technology and humanity, culminating in a tense confrontation that challenges Foster's understanding of reality and his own desires.
By C.J. Moore · First published 1956 · Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance · 6,622 words
First lines
_Nobody Loves Me, wails Jerry Foster-until a mechanical music-maker decides everything's just Moonlight and Roses_
Jerry Foster told the bartender that nobody loved him. The bartender, with the experience of his trade, said that Jerry was mistaken, and how about another drink.
What this Textopian page supports
Juke-Box is listed on Textopian as a novel by C.J. Moore, dated 1956 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: C.J. Moore
- Date: 1956 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Drama
- Length: 6,622 words
- Structure: 1 section, 225 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Juke-Box by C.J. Moore
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Juke-Box?
- How does this novel by C.J. Moore fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fiction — Due to lack of specific information, it can be broadly classified as a fiction based on the general tendencies of C.J.Moore's works.
- Contemporary — Many of C.J. Moore's books are based on contemporary themes or settings, thus making it a likely genre.
- Romance — Considering the title 'Juke-Box', which could possibly relate to a romantic setting or theme common in popular culture.
- Drama — The title suggests a blend of emotions and events that could fall under the drama genre.
Tags
music · nostalgia · friendship · adventure · coming-of-age · youth · identity · family · loss · self-discovery · relationships · small-town