Noblesville

by Kurt A. Meyer

From David Henry’s point of view, everything that was wrong with life in small town America in the 1890’s has been cured by more than a century of progress, while everything that was best about it has been destroyed. David’s assumptions about the past are tested when a mysterious splash of light transforms David's life, opening a doorway not only to the past but to the love of a young woman named Mary Harrison. The past and present of Noblesville weave happiness and heartache for the two lovers separated by a century but joined in their desire to find some place in time to spend their lives together.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

346 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2014

About the author

Kurt Meyer is the father of four, resident of Noblesville and a lifelong Hoosier. He’s been a newspaper columnist, a schoolteacher’s, a Realtor specializing in marketing historic properties, a restorer of Victorian-era homes and co-founder of an annual literary journal called the Polk Street Review, where his stories also appear.

His work has appeared in the Noblesville Daily Ledger, The Noblesville Times, NUVO Newsweekly, the Indianapolis Eye, The Noblesville Current, and at dailyyonder.com. His most recently published work is his novel, Noblesville. His next work, The Salvage Man, is scheduled for release in 2015 by Rivers Edge Media.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my top 3 favorite books of all time. It is my first read (re-read) every summer. Even though I remember parts of it, I still enjoy my yearly visit with David and Mary back in 1893. The setting takes place 30 miles from my hometown which makes landmark references familiar. The author actually grew up in my hometown of Tipton, Indiana.

[Marie Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I have never heard of this book until recently. I live in Hamilton County, Indiana, and the story is told so well I know exactly spot the author describes back in the late 1800's. A love story told as historical fiction. A must-read.

[Shelby Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thought provoking read. It was fun to read a story set in the town where I live! The main character goes back in time to the late 1800s and wrestles with the modernization of our time verses the community of Noblesville in the past. I didn’t love the ending, but understand why the author ended it the way he did.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started out a little hard for me to get into. Great story!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Hey, wasn’t life so much better in the Victorian Era?! Sure, women couldn’t vote and and only white men had rights... but the architecture!”- the whole book, basically.

[Thea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't generally read romance or sci-fi novels, but I was drawn into this book fairly quickly. The premise of time travel in book form is usually hard for me to relate to, but the beautiful imagery of 1890s Noblesville became a running character whose story I couldn't wait to hear the rest of.

It helps to be familiar with the area the story takes place, and to be able to imagine what things looked like 100 years ago. I appreciated being able to learn new things about the town I now call home.

[Michael Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read romance novels or a lot of books at all for that matter but stumbled upon this one as the author is the father of a friend. Had me sobbing like a fool by the end and I've never cried reading a book before. The time-travelling premise of the novel was handled very elegantly and the pacing felt meditative and was quite refreshing. Overall an awesome book that has rekindled my interest in reading.

[Kathy Tomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! I love the concept of time travel and often imagine living during the 1890s in middle America. Meyer does an excellent job of depicting the period in this bit of historic fiction. He presented an eloquent balance of the period’s grace and grandeur as well as its corruption and tragic events. Fascinating plot and characters amid a backdrop of politics, romance, architecture, the Chicago World’s Fair and everyday life an 1893. Well done Kurt Meyer!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting novel weaving days of long ago, preservation, history and a love story into a very pleasing story and will linger in your memory. If your from IN you will find the history of events around Noblesville in the 1890s of special interest. Good to read then do a walk around Noblesville on a visit to see if you can spy places from the novel that still exist.

[Judy Zell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noblesville was probably a typical Midwestern county seat. Meyer gives us a terrific comparison between the horse-and-buggy lifestyle of 1893 and our modern high-tech lives. Includes delightful visit to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and interesting court trials of adulterers. Women have more freedom now, but progress has come at a cost.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got about a quarter of the way through and got bored. I did enjoy everything about Noblesville in the past, but the story was somewhat predictable, and I didn't care much about the human characters. The town is the best character in the book.

[Staci Suhy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free as part of a first reads promotion

[Carol Rigsbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this book and it's now my second favorite book of all time. I love this book!