A mesmerizing trip
This book really grabbed and held me; it is deeply involving and lyrically written. Told by a single character over four stages of life (childhood, adolescence, maturity, and old age), this is an absorbing tale filled with memorable characters. The story charts the rise, fall, aftermath and return to Arcadia, both a real place (a hippie commune in NY state) and a sense of connection among those who lived there. I think I will remember and muse on this book for a long time.
Rated of 5
by Sylvia G. (Scottsdale, AZ)
Don't miss a visit to Arcadia
I began Arcadia with great anticipation, as I loved Monsters of Templeton. I was disappointed in the beginning. It was very lyrical, with some beautiful imagery and language, but fragmented and often murky. Then about 50 pages in, I became hooked and was turning down pages to mark absolutely gorgeous and wise writing. The best book I've received in the First Impressions program. Memorable, haunting, meaningful, this would be an outstanding book club selection. Filled with unique, flawed and fully realized characters, Arcadia travels in time from a hippie community to the future and is filled with great compassion and wisdom.
Rated of 5
by Alice S. (East Haven, Ct)
Engrossing Book
Arcadia was an engrossing and enjoyable book. The story is told by the character Bit, a young man born and raised in a commune. It is through him you see the way the world changes from the idealism of the 60's into the future. As someone who was a teenager during that time, the whole atmosphere of the first half of the book reminded me of how wonderful it was to be young and alive then and how hopeful and optimistic we were. I can see this as a good book for discussion in a Book Club. One question that can be asked is why is the idealism and unselfish way of living of a commune so hard to sustain and how did the "real "world get in the way? Also, what events occurred during that time in the U.S. that changed people?
Rated of 5
by Maggie R. (Canoga Park, CA)
Another taste of Groff
As someone who has read and relished Groff's 2 prior books, I was caught off guard at first by the pacing of this novel but ultimately loved it as much as the others. The style may be an acquired taste but for those can see the world askew, this book should satisfy.
Rated of 5
by Katherine Y. (Albuquerque, NM)
Another Hit from Lauren Groff
If you enjoyed Ms. Groff's first book, "The Monsters of Templeton", you're bound to enjoy this second excellent effort. And, if you haven't read her first novel, I recommend them both. The world she creates is filled with wonderful characters and a great story.
Rated of 5
by Catherine H. (Nashua, NH)
Like a poetry book..
I read Miss Groff “The monsters of Templeton”, book full of promises but missing “something”. “Arcadia” did not disappoint me. The style is poetic but yet easy to read. I wanted Bit’s story to go on. It is a very moving and very sad story, it does not really end with the traditional “and they lived happily ever after” but still with a feeling of hope.
Rated of 5
by Bob S. (lawrenceburg, IN)
Our roots, our beginnings and our ends
As a child of the 1960s, I found Lauren Groff's exploration of the journey from Utopian roots to full blossoming and then back to the primal sources both thrilling and enlightening. Young Bit's life begins already intertwined with a living community; as he enters the lives of others both inside and outside that community, he comes to know, as we all eventually know, that the sources of life are also its goals. As in "Monsters of Templeton, " Ms. Groff offers us a doorway, not only into the heart of her protagonist, but also into our own hearts and lives. The allusive title is well chosen: this book is filled with light, harmony, and depth.
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of 5
by Aprile G. (Florence, MA)
