What do readers think of Palisades Park by Alan Brennert? Write your own review.

Alan Brennert is the author of one of my favorite books...Moloka'i. When you laugh,cry and feel totally connected to a story and it's characters sometimes an authors new book can't live up to your expectations. That is what happens with Palisades Park. I felt Mr Brennerts's love for the amusement park and its story but didn't connect well with the characters. There was one surprising connection in the mention of the Hawaiian Cottage, a restaurant that used to be outside Cherry Hill,New Jersey. I was first there in 1963 with a date for his junior prom and had my first taste of a pu-pu platter and Hawaiian music. It brought back fond memories of a simpler time.

This book follows historical events through the eyes of a family of Palisades Amusement Park workers from 1922, through the Depression and WWII, up to 1974. They are likable dreamers who struggle with everyday lives. Many of the sights & sounds will be wonderfully familar to anyone growing up in NJ. Very descriptive, though sometimes slow.

Overall the book was an easy read. Characters were believable, but not developed very deeply. Historical information delivered throughout the fictional story was interesting and provided a good picture of the park through the years. At times I felt that the author jumped around a bit just to get various topics covered throughout the history of the park. Not sure the book needed to be the length it was - might have been better shorter and more focused. Enjoyed the book, but not one I would necessarily recommend to anyone unless they were looking for a light read and they were interested in historical fiction.

A little history and a little nostalgia frame this family drama that covers 50 years of the Stropka family and their close connection with the old Palisades Amusement Park. The writing is serviceable at best and awkward at times but Brennert is a natural storyteller and keeps the story moving and the reader engaged.

I had problems with the writing style. I kept thinking "what a great story, what a great setting, I just wish the writing would live up to the story and setting." It felt 'corny' with unrealistic dialogue. Then the author used a different voice at the very end and I felt that chapter was the most well written in the entire book. Perhaps what I saw as the 'corny' style was intentional, but it didn't grab me. Still, I enjoyed it and felt like I had some new insight into bygone days.

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!