[Preface
about my reviews: I do not write reviews that give away the story, telling you
the premise of the book and possibly becoming a “spoiler alert.” I figure that
if you want to know more about books these days, you can click on the various “Look
Inside” features booksellers offer and read enough of it to get a feel for the
writing. You can also go to the author’s website and see if they have a “Sneak
Peek” section of the work. You can even read other reviews that reveal more. I
also rate my books on two different scales. My Star-Rating Scale is posted
below. The other is the rating system used in the movie industry (G, PG, PG-13,
etc.). I feel this rating too is a much needed element in reviews today and helps
the reader know “who” should be reading what when it comes to children and
young adults.]
Reichold Street is written in a
themed, anthology style. What does that mean? Like most anthologies which are compilations
of separate stories centered on a common theme, the author states in the
foreword that he used this anthology style and wrote several short stories
revolving around a theme. Together, these stories form a “coming-of-age” novel about
a man named Paul. His friends call him Paulie.
Told
in first person from Paul’s perspective, it starts in August of 1962 in the mythical
town of Brickdale, on Reichold Street, of course. From the beginning, another
character emerges alongside Paul. His name is Albert Parker. The story is as
much about Albert as it is about Paul. Their interactions—from high school when
Albert’s family moves to Brickdale to their involvement in the Vietnam War—are
chronicled in this short-story format, following the lives of these two young
men.
The
stories delve into several issues: dysfunctional families who deal with
domestic abuse and alcoholism; strained friendships; unsympathetic educational
professionals; the ravages of war including death; and suicide.
The
author tells us in the Afterword that all the accounts and locations are
fictitious, except for the account of the attack on Cu Chi Base during the
Vietnam War on March 10, 1969. As you read the stories, you get a sense that
the author is pulling from real-life experiences either from his own life or
people he knew over the years. The circumstances described are sometimes too
detailed to not believe they are, at least, rooted in someone’s real life.
This
book is not a “feel good” read in the “puppies running in meadows filled with
flowers” sense, but if you are into this genre and like gritty,
character-driven stories, with some rough language from time to time, then it
might be up your alley. You might even see it as a “feel good” story because
the main characters do develop strong ties.
It’s
not the kind of book I’d pick up and read off the shelf, but that’s because
this genre is not one I read very often.
On
my scale (see below), I rate this 3-stars because I’m not into this genre very
much. However, if you are, you might like it. I also rate it PG-13 for violence
and language.
My Scale:
5 stars – It doesn't matter what genre you read, this book is a must read! It’s all about “story.”
You won’t regret it.
4 stars – This may not
be your genre, per se, but I feel confident you’ll enjoy it, nevertheless.
3 stars – This book will
be a good read if this genre is one you really like. If it is not “your genre,”
then your final thoughts may vary, but I don’t disparage it in any way.
2 stars – This book had
potential, but fell short, in my humble opinion. Genre or no, it was all about
the writing and the story, or the lack thereof.
1 star – If you buy it,
read it, and spend any of your time on it, do not blame me. You were
forewarned.
