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There are currently 28 member reviews
for Palisades Park
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Beth (USA)
Palisades Park
I enjoyed this novel that used the backdrop of the iconic Palisades Amusement Park in NJ to tell the story of the Stopka family over several decades. At all times, the author's depictions of the changing times rang true, from the pre WWII era and the societal changes the war brought, to the struggle for integration in the 50's and 60's. For me, having visited the park as a child, I found the portions of the novel focusing on the park's history the most interesting.
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Cheryl W. (Crosby, MN)
Amused
I enjoyed this book and the characters were outstanding and well developed. Antoinette's (Toni) coming of age was fun and for her to know what she wanted and to go after it made the story delightful. I also learned a lot about Amusement Parks of the past.
Just a easy read.
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Carol R. (Foster City, CA)
Brings Back Memories
Wow - "Palisades Park" brought back memories. I never went to the park but I remember the jingle, Callahan's hot dogs, the big sign, Cousin Brucie and so much more. I enjoyed the novel very much. Encompassing 75 years of the 20th century, the characters live their lives around the park but also live life in the larger context of world wars, family joys and sorrows and important historical and political issues.
The book drags a bit, mostly in the first half. However, the story is engaging and keeps the reader hooked. I'd recommend this book to baby boomer and those older. This book would also appeal to readers interested in NJ history and the history of amusement parks and traveling shows.
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Cam G. (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Palisades Park
Palisades Park is Alan Brennert's third novel, all of which I have read, and, while Molokai was very much my favorite, I found this to be a wonderful history of the Park as well as an entertaining story of the Stopka family whose lives were interwoven throughout the book. This is a book that will hook you right from the beginning through to the end!
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Mary G. (Purcellville, VA)
Fascinating story
Alan Brenert used the stories of the people who worked at Palisades Park to tell both its history and offer a working-class perspective of important events in American history ranging from the Great Depression, through the Second World War, to the Civil Rights movement and Korea. Seeing history unfold through the lives of the Stopka family was an absorbing and enjoyable experience.
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Diane M. (Salt Lake City, UT)
Well written historical fiction
I found this story of a family and the community they share with a wide range of interesting characters to be very engaging. I read it straight through over a weekend. The book begins in1922 when a boy spends the best day of his childhood at the amusement park. The story continues to the park's dismantling in 1974. The depiction of carnival life and particularly that of the high divers is fascinating. The ending felt a little contrived. However, this is well written historical fiction and I would recommend this book.
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Ann B. (Bethlehem, PA)
Take the ride with Palisades Park
Alan Brennert has written a wonderfully descriptive book that entertains, enlightens, and at times leaves you breathless.
As a ten year old boy, Eddie Stopka spent the best day of his life with his family at Palisades Park in 1922 . There was a reverence he felt just looking up at the great wooden roller coaster, one he says was only reserved for Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel. While Eddie's journey is the essence of the story, the other main character is Palisades Park. We slide back and forth between their stories, celebrating their triumphs and mourning their miseries. As readers, their journeys open a window in time and allow us a glimpse of the life of a great amusement park and the historic events that shaped them both.
I visited many of the well known north eastern amusement parks in the 50s and 60s, so it was natural for me to be drawn to this book. The great surprise was the intimate story that surrounded and intertwined the characters and park.
Although one may begin to compare this story to "Water For Elephants", they are different. While "Water for Elephants" is a story of a fictitious traveling circus, Alan Brennert has taken great care to accurately tell the real story of Palisades Park.
"Palisades Park" is equal parts an adventure, fictional memoir and historic account. I believe it will lead to superb discussions in book clubs.
