Elizabeth A

Alan Brennert has produced a novel that is a well-researched homage to an iconic amusement park and the midway carny lifestyle. Many people will find this work of historical fiction appealing as it traces the life of Eddie Stopak in the 1920s as he settles into a life centered on Palisades Park and raises a family through decades of various upheavals--both personal and societal. Told in a very linear fashion, the focus switches to Eddie's daughter as she struggles with the challenges of growing up. Many readers will enjoy the setting and a "family saga" story. I felt fairly neutral about this book. I thought the book bogged down in parts with too much detail that detracted from the story and at other times characters and events were treated quickly and superficially. The book seemed very uneven to me. It's not a good sign when I keep checking to see how many pages left to read!