Maia read and liked Mary Anne's review of Peyton Place:

"While I was familiar with the TV show and the movie I'd never seen a copy of this book until I read it some years ago. This novel was a pot-boiler in the 1950s and probably passed around by teenagers with specific "dirty" passages marked. I...more While I was familiar with the TV show and the movie I'd never seen a copy of this book until I read it some years ago. This novel was a pot-boiler in the 1950s and probably passed around by teenagers with specific "dirty" passages marked. It really is quite tame by today's standards, but it was ground breaking when it was published. Even today Peyton Place conjures up the dark underside of small towns in America and the hypocritical nature of society. This started me on a quest for other revealing pot-boilers published in the 20th century adn I must say it was a fun ride.(less) "

Maia read and liked Judy Vanderhule's review of Peyton Place:

"I must confess. I read this book on a bit of a lark. This is the only book my mother ever forbid me to read. Back in the 50s when it first came out, it was all the rage, but considered quite shocking by many midwesterners. At the time, I was too ...more I must confess. I read this book on a bit of a lark. This is the only book my mother ever forbid me to read. Back in the 50s when it first came out, it was all the rage, but considered quite shocking by many midwesterners. At the time, I was too young to care whether or not I read. I had too many other fun things to do. Over the years I thought about reading it several times, but never followed through. It took me over 30 years to finally sit down and read it. It is a remarkable and powerful book. Metalious sharply describes life in small town America in the 50s. One of my favorite parts of the book was actually the introduction by Ardis Cameron who presents an excellent description of the novel's treatment of class, gender, race, ethnicity and power. Reading it, it was easy to believe that Metalious was a true feminist who purposefully depicted the social anatomy of a community to expose the quiet acceptance of hideous things like child abuse, incest, and rape. There are many positive forces and personalities in the book as well. I'm awfully glad I finally sat down to read this book. Don't rent the video or watch reruns of the TV show should they ever reappear. Do sit down and read this classic from a fresh perspective. In my opinion, Grace was a feminist when it was terribly difficult to be one... the 1950s.(less) "

Maia read and liked Bobbie 's review of The Girl Next Door:

"The Girl Next Door
Written By: Elizabeth Noble
Published By: Penguin Group Canada, 2009, First Edition, 464 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-0143168829

The Girl Next Door starts off slowly, no doubt do to the somewhat long list of ...more The Girl Next Door
Written By: Elizabeth Noble
Published By: Penguin Group Canada, 2009, First Edition, 464 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-0143168829

The Girl Next Door starts off slowly, no doubt do to the somewhat long list of characters that you have to sort through. Thankfully there is a ‘List of Characters’ at the beginning of the book which the reader can refer too; I had to do so several times. Once you remember who each of the different characters are (perhaps you have a better memory then I, so it might be much faster for you) the story’s pace picks up and the reader quickly becomes enmeshed in the lives of these apartment dwellers. As the narrative progresses and the reader becomes more familiar with each of the characters, it is very easy to forget that you are reading a book instead...


*Please follow the link to read the whole review:
http://bookreviewsbybobbie.wordpress.com...
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