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What Members Thought
I enjoyed the escape to the park and enjoyed the story of Toni and her family. The ending was okay, but the rest of the story was very enjoyable to me, even if parts are predictable. Even if you know where a story is headed, if you like the characters and story-telling enough, then you still are willing to listen and even cheer for them to get to their ultimate destination. I liked seeing the changes over the decades, particularly through Toni, though I also appreciate the impact of the brother'
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This novel mainly covers the time periods of the 1940s and 50s but is original in that it's main focus is not WWII. It centers around Palisades Park and the lives of one family of carnival workers and while the War and it's aftermath figure greatly in the story, this is a story about a family and a community. The description of Palisades Park and the surrounding community was excellent and very fact-based, which I discovered after reading the book; however I think the book could have, maybe even
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What an awesome story! While I've never been to Palisades Park, I felt very nostalgic for the amusement parks of my childhood - Coney Island (Cincinnati, not NY) and the early days of Kings Island. I really believed everything was so magical and larger-than-life, and that perspective was really captured through this novel. I loved all the history throughout the book too - from the Roaring 20's, the Depression, WWII and beyond. I really loved many of the characters and admit to shedding a tear th
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Another amazing book by Alan Brennert! You really get invested in the characters and story of Palisades Park and it's always sad when it ends.
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There is so much fact in this historical fiction book that you keep having to remind yourself that it is only fiction. Since Disney began to monopolize the amusement park industry the color and unique qualities of the original parks has disappeared which is not necessarily a good thing.
Apr 19, 2013
Chantal
marked it as to-read
May 26, 2013
Katy
marked it as to-read
Jul 09, 2013
MichelleCH
marked it as to-read
Jan 04, 2014
Vesra (When She Reads)
marked it as to-read
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Mar 27, 2017
Ginger
marked it as to-read
Dec 02, 2020
Deedee
marked it as to-read
Nov 12, 2022
Wanda
marked it as to-read
