In this touching, hilarious novel of the heart and mind, of dreams and memory, of desire and first love, Abe Lee comes of age in the 1960s, living ...
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reviews
Jun 20, 2011
Lauren
rated it: 
my book club decided to read this book after it was on a list of books that was required reading at our kid's high school and a group of extremists wanted to have it banned from the selection choices.
as we are all consummate readers, we were totally against the crazy folk who want ANY books banned but we decided to pick one of them and read it to see why.
well, we're still trying to figure that one out. yes, there is a virginity lost. is it consensual, yes. was it told graphi More...
as we are all consummate readers, we were totally against the crazy folk who want ANY books banned but we decided to pick one of them and read it to see why.
well, we're still trying to figure that one out. yes, there is a virginity lost. is it consensual, yes. was it told graphi More...
Mar 10, 2008
Tony
rated it: 
A pretty decent coming of age story, which is made unique by the way that the author weaves together different time lines inside of the plot. The narrator's voice is distinctive, and the content of the story is memorable. The characters are well rendered, and very, very likable. The main action of the story takes place in the tumultuous era of the late sixties, amid the vietnam war, civil rights, and the changing American landscape.
However, all in all, the book is a pleasant div More...
However, all in all, the book is a pleasant div More...
Dec 31, 2008
Jennifer
rated it: 
One of my top books ever! Bizarre, tragic and heartwarming and funny. A great story about families, friends and coming of age. Father Hubert Lee and wife Edna Scott adopt Korean babies born on the same day - Louise and Abraham Isaac. Hubert owns the largest outdoor Dive-In Theater and lives in the tower. He feuds with his neighbor Turner West, owner of a funeral home. Other great characters wowrk at the Drive-in.
Everyone I've loaned the book to has loved it also.
Everyone I've loaned the book to has loved it also.
Oct 23, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
Romeo and Juliet story set at a 60's drive-in. Our Romeo's parents own the Flamingo drive-in and Juliet lives next door in the funeral home run by her father. Funny and heart-breaking tale that concludes with enough drama to make Will Shakespeare proud. Good story and a fast read. Perfect vacation book.
Aug 26, 2008
Kelly
rated it:
I loved this book, and it is definitely a contender for my top ten of 2008 list. Hubert Lee builds the world's biggest drive-in theater, the Flamingo, next to Turner West's funeral home, sparking an intense feud. Hubert Lee adopted two children from Korea, Louise and Abe, our narrator.
The book was billed as a Romeo and Juliet story between Abe and Turner West's daughter, Grace, but it's more of a coming-of-age in the 1960s story. I was interested in all of the quirky and unique char More...
The book was billed as a Romeo and Juliet story between Abe and Turner West's daughter, Grace, but it's more of a coming-of-age in the 1960s story. I was interested in all of the quirky and unique char More...
Dec 18, 2011
Sunny
rated it:
This book is so incredibly well written. Larry Baker is an English professor and you can tell he has an incredible grasp for language.
Aug 15, 2009
Marvin
rated it:
This novel by a former Iowa City Councilman is a fun, gentle book, sort of like a blend of John Irving & Wallace Stegner.
Dec 10, 2009
Dee
rated it:
This is the author's first novel and accordingly has some flaws, but there are so many memorable characters and events that the flaws can be forgiven. I loved this book.
Sep 26, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
What exactly was in this book to warrant it a spot on the banned books list?
Dec 17, 2009
Meg
rated it:
A fun, quick read. It was a little irritating at first because the foreshadowing is just so heavy handed and disjointed from the action it is embedded within. Either I got used to this or the author stopped beating us over the head with loaded teasers of the significant events quite so much, because I was able to get past it and enjoy the book. Even despite these teasers, you don't see the climatic plot twist coming until the events leading to it have been set in motion.
Dec 17, 2009
Stacy
rated it:
As an English teacher, I have read many "good" books, but this is my favorite book of all time. I read it each and every summer. It is like an old friend.
This book is unlike any coming of age novel I have ever read. Living in the world's largest drive-in movie theatre, the Lee family teaches the reader what it means to love and lose. The narrator is one of the most genuine voices I have read. I love it...totally love it.
This book is unlike any coming of age novel I have ever read. Living in the world's largest drive-in movie theatre, the Lee family teaches the reader what it means to love and lose. The narrator is one of the most genuine voices I have read. I love it...totally love it.
Jun 14, 2007
Notcathy
rated it: 
"Amazingly bad book. Insipid, unintelligent." Then Cathy put a bracket around the hype stuff, eg: national media appearances, national author tour, etc. and said, " Why the American literary world is going straight to hell". I suppose because they're spending tons of money to hype such a crappy book.
Aug 04, 2007
Kelly
rated it:
I found this book on the clearance rack at Half Price books a few years ago, and I loved it. It's about a family who owns a drive-in movie theater, with the son narrating. It has John Irving-ish feel to it, in an interesting way.
Aug 28, 2007
Betsy
rated it:
interesting book about north Florida history in the A1A beaches area south of Jacksonville and north of St. Augustine. Fun to read about local places that we know existed and wonder about some that we have not experienced.
Apr 18, 2010
Tonia
rated it:
Just a really great story by yet another Floridian. Won't really make you "think", but you will get lost in the tale of this family and their lighthouse drive-in movie theatre on Florida's first coast.
Sep 06, 2007
Shonas
rated it:
great quick read.
historical fiction/entertainment regarding northeast florida in the 1950s or so.
i liked it, as I live in Saint Augustine.
historical fiction/entertainment regarding northeast florida in the 1950s or so.
i liked it, as I live in Saint Augustine.
Dec 16, 2009
Lauren
rated it:
This is a great coming of age book. It's focused around a family's drive-in movie theatre in Florida in 1960s and one very pivotal summer.
Sep 07, 2008
Angela
rated it:
I won this book and reviewed it for a small press magazine. A good, solid tale.
Feb 09, 2012
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