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kelly_e's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: California Golden
Author: Melanie Benjamin
Genre: Historical Ficton
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: August 8, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Nostalgic • Complicated • Atmospheric
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Southern California, 1960s: endless sunny days surfing in Malibu, followed by glittering neon nights at Whisky A-Go-Go. In an era when women are expected to be housewives, Carol Donnelly is breaking the mold as a legendary female surfer struggling to compete in a male-dominated sport--and her daughters, Mindy and Ginger, bear the weight of her unconventional lifestyle.
The Donnelly sisters grow up enduring their mother's absence--physically, when she's at the beach, and emotionally, the rare times she's at home. To escape questions about Carol's whereabouts--and chase their mom's elusive affection--they cut school to spend their days in the surf. From her first time on a board, Mindy shows a natural talent, but Ginger, two years younger, feels out of place in the water.
As they grow up and their lives diverge, Mindy and Ginger's relationship ebbs and flows. Mindy finds herself swept up in celebrity, complete with beachside love affairs, parties at the Playboy Club, and USO tours to Vietnam. Meanwhile, Ginger--desperate for a community of her own--is tugged into the vibrant counterculture of drugs and cults. Through it all, their sense of duty to each other survives, as the girls are forever connected by the emotional damage they carry from their unorthodox childhood.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I was initially drawn to California Golden because of the stunning cover, yet it was the synopsis that truly hooked me. I'd yet to read anything else by Melanie Benjamin before, so wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I came away pleasantly surprised.
What I liked:
• the time period. Set during the 1960s, there is just something about the time period that intrigues me. Against the back drop of an ever changing America, the author did a wonderful job detailing life during this time.
• the setting. The Southern California beaches, the sun, the sand, and the surf were all brought to life brilliantly. Having recently visited the surrounding area, I really felt like I was there taking it all in.
• the surf culture. Surfing has never been something that had garnered my attention, yet the author completely captivated me with her vivid descriptions. I also enjoyed learning more about the roots and culture of the sport as a whole.
What I did not like:
• some side plots. Some of the side plots really went nowhere and I was left wondering why they were even included.
• the pacing. Mainly character driven, this novel unfolds incredibly slowly, to the point that at times it felt like it wasn't really going anywhere.
California Golden explores family relationships, mother/daughter dynamics, surf culture, women in a male dominated sport and self-discovery. There is a lot of hurting and healing, which all felt very believable and I am definitely inclined to discover more of this author's work in the future and will be keeping my eye out for any future projects.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like complicated mother/daughter relationships
• fans of the coming-of-age story
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Never fall in love with someone who doesn't need you."
Author: Melanie Benjamin
Genre: Historical Ficton
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: August 8, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Nostalgic • Complicated • Atmospheric
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Southern California, 1960s: endless sunny days surfing in Malibu, followed by glittering neon nights at Whisky A-Go-Go. In an era when women are expected to be housewives, Carol Donnelly is breaking the mold as a legendary female surfer struggling to compete in a male-dominated sport--and her daughters, Mindy and Ginger, bear the weight of her unconventional lifestyle.
The Donnelly sisters grow up enduring their mother's absence--physically, when she's at the beach, and emotionally, the rare times she's at home. To escape questions about Carol's whereabouts--and chase their mom's elusive affection--they cut school to spend their days in the surf. From her first time on a board, Mindy shows a natural talent, but Ginger, two years younger, feels out of place in the water.
As they grow up and their lives diverge, Mindy and Ginger's relationship ebbs and flows. Mindy finds herself swept up in celebrity, complete with beachside love affairs, parties at the Playboy Club, and USO tours to Vietnam. Meanwhile, Ginger--desperate for a community of her own--is tugged into the vibrant counterculture of drugs and cults. Through it all, their sense of duty to each other survives, as the girls are forever connected by the emotional damage they carry from their unorthodox childhood.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I was initially drawn to California Golden because of the stunning cover, yet it was the synopsis that truly hooked me. I'd yet to read anything else by Melanie Benjamin before, so wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I came away pleasantly surprised.
What I liked:
• the time period. Set during the 1960s, there is just something about the time period that intrigues me. Against the back drop of an ever changing America, the author did a wonderful job detailing life during this time.
• the setting. The Southern California beaches, the sun, the sand, and the surf were all brought to life brilliantly. Having recently visited the surrounding area, I really felt like I was there taking it all in.
• the surf culture. Surfing has never been something that had garnered my attention, yet the author completely captivated me with her vivid descriptions. I also enjoyed learning more about the roots and culture of the sport as a whole.
What I did not like:
• some side plots. Some of the side plots really went nowhere and I was left wondering why they were even included.
• the pacing. Mainly character driven, this novel unfolds incredibly slowly, to the point that at times it felt like it wasn't really going anywhere.
California Golden explores family relationships, mother/daughter dynamics, surf culture, women in a male dominated sport and self-discovery. There is a lot of hurting and healing, which all felt very believable and I am definitely inclined to discover more of this author's work in the future and will be keeping my eye out for any future projects.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like complicated mother/daughter relationships
• fans of the coming-of-age story
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Never fall in love with someone who doesn't need you."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Racial slurs, Drug use, Xenophobia, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Grief, Sexism, and Trafficking
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, War, and Chronic illness
poverty, drug traffickingamandas_bookshelf's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Antisemitism, Xenophobia, Hate crime, Grief, Sexism, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
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