I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was one of those books that truly took me away. I found myself totally engrossed in it while reading, caring about the characters. I haven't felt that way about characters in a book in a long time.
The book centers around a family who works and lives near Palisades Park, an amusement park that really did exist from 1898-1971 in Bergen County, New Jersey.
I usually never do this, but for some reason, while reading, I started looking on the internet for some of the people listed in the book. For example, in the book, a high diver named Bee Kyle is featured as an act in the park. Sure enough, Bee did exist and was a well known high diver back in her day.
Another surprise to me was this: in the book there is a lifeguard who works at the Palisades pool named Bunty Hill. Well, I didn't even think to look him up, but then I stumbled upon a very informative website about the park that showed an actual picture of Bunty!
As I read on, there were so many factual things in this book and even more people who I thought were "characters" that turned out to be people that actually existed. Furthermore, there are a lot of historical events that take place during the time frame of the story.
The characters in the family, Eddie, Adele, Toni and Jack were very realistic and the author shows the highs and the lows of family life. You feel as though you are on the journey with them as they live their life in and out of the park. Plus, the author surprises you a few times, too. No spoilers here, though!
The only thing was by the end of the book, I was a little disturbed by Toni's attitude...but I guess I had to cut her some slack because of several things that happen to her that I won't say here in case you didn't read it yet. But I highly recommend you do. It will take you away to a place that you might remember. I personally had never been to Palisades Park, but the book made me feel like I visited.
Isn't that what makes a great book? It transported me to a place I had never been and also made me want to learn more.
Click here to visit the website that I looked at about the park. Palisades Park Website
Thank you for reading. Feel free to comment!
Deana
Next up: The Winnowing Season, by Cindy Woodsmall (Book 2 in the Amish Vines and Orchard Series).
IMy aunt was Bee Kyle the diver referred to in Palasaids Park, I have yet to read it , but I am very excited to do just that. Bee was my mothers older sister. I inherited all Aunt Bees memoirs when my mom died in 99. All the real stories with pictures paper clippings, newspaper adds, posters. Hand written stories of her childhood. She was an amazing woman and so many parts of her life are in my chest I inherited from my mom. life was amazing and the family she came from and the struggles and hardships they shared only proved to be empowering in the most difficult of times. a truly beautiful story of a family of 12 growing up in the border town of Calais ,Maine. My mother Velma Kyle was the youngest and Aunt Bee was a dozen or more years her senior. I must run right out and read P.P.
ReplyDeleteWhy am I just seeing this comment tow years later!? I am so sorry! that IS amazing, Donna! thank you so much for sharing!
DeleteIMy aunt was Bee Kyle the diver referred to in Palasaids Park, I have yet to read it , but I am very excited to do just that. Bee was my mothers older sister. I inherited all Aunt Bees memoirs when my mom died in 99. All the real stories with pictures paper clippings, newspaper adds, posters. Hand written stories of her childhood. She was an amazing woman and so many parts of her life are in my chest I inherited from my mom. life was amazing and the family she came from and the struggles and hardships they shared only proved to be empowering in the most difficult of times. a truly beautiful story of a family of 12 growing up in the border town of Calais ,Maine. My mother Velma Kyle was the youngest and Aunt Bee was a dozen or more years her senior. I must run right out and read P.P.
ReplyDelete