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abaugher's review
5.0
This is a poignant and heartfelt tale of a boy and his adventure books, young readers, the authors who wrote them, and the author who rediscovered them. Alternating chapters are set in different times, from 1906 to 2010, helping to build the two parts of the story to a single point in the middle, all while the reader gets to experience the mystery of the authors to the modern-day writer as well as witnessing the trajectory of the lives of the authors from the early 1900's.
What an interesting story about stories! One of my favorite kinds of books.
What an interesting story about stories! One of my favorite kinds of books.
ladytiara's review
4.0
Escaping Dreamland is an engrossing story set in two time periods, 2010 and the early 20th century.
In 2010, Robert's first novel has become a bestseller, but he's struggling to write a second book and his relationship with his girlfriend Rebecca is falling apart. When Rebecca walks out, Robert tries to deal with his past trauma by investigating a forgotten series of childrens' books that he and his father read together. Robert and his father read all the typical old kids' series books like the Hardy Boys and Tom Swift, but it's The Tremendous Trio that they loved the most. Robert begins to search for more information about the books and it takes him on an emotional journey.
In 1906, we meet Magda, Gene, and Tom, three young people who become unlikely friends. Madga is an immigrant, Gene is gay in a time when it was both scandalous and illegal, and Tom comes from one of New York's richest familes, but the three form a bond and end up writing a series of books together. Their story is contrasted with Robert's search for the authors of the Tremendous Trio books.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of old series books (Nancy Drew and Beverly Gray are my favorites), and I loved reading about Robert's research. The Tremendous Trio would have been a great series, and I wish it actually existed. I found myself more interested in the past parts of the book. Magda, Gene, and Tom were great characters and I loved reading about their lives in Gilded Age New York. I found Robert's story to be less compelling. Although the eventual resolution made sense, it felt a bit over the top. (To be fair, there are lots of over the top things in the historical part, but it worked better in that context.)
I listened to the audiobook, and it was really well done.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.
In 2010, Robert's first novel has become a bestseller, but he's struggling to write a second book and his relationship with his girlfriend Rebecca is falling apart. When Rebecca walks out, Robert tries to deal with his past trauma by investigating a forgotten series of childrens' books that he and his father read together. Robert and his father read all the typical old kids' series books like the Hardy Boys and Tom Swift, but it's The Tremendous Trio that they loved the most. Robert begins to search for more information about the books and it takes him on an emotional journey.
In 1906, we meet Magda, Gene, and Tom, three young people who become unlikely friends. Madga is an immigrant, Gene is gay in a time when it was both scandalous and illegal, and Tom comes from one of New York's richest familes, but the three form a bond and end up writing a series of books together. Their story is contrasted with Robert's search for the authors of the Tremendous Trio books.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of old series books (Nancy Drew and Beverly Gray are my favorites), and I loved reading about Robert's research. The Tremendous Trio would have been a great series, and I wish it actually existed. I found myself more interested in the past parts of the book. Magda, Gene, and Tom were great characters and I loved reading about their lives in Gilded Age New York. I found Robert's story to be less compelling. Although the eventual resolution made sense, it felt a bit over the top. (To be fair, there are lots of over the top things in the historical part, but it worked better in that context.)
I listened to the audiobook, and it was really well done.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
One of the things I love about a Charlie Lovett novel is the interplay between the past and the present. Doesn't our past always play in our future?
In Escaping Dreamland, there are four protagonists, each badgered by their past. It takes a little while to have the storylines come together because each character is fleshed out by themselves prior to joining the others. Three of the characters are from the early 1900s. Magda Hertzenbergers is haunted by the loss of her family and has shed her German name and background, trying to become an American girl. Thomas De Peyster shuns his place in elite American society, much to the horror of his match-making mama, to become a journalist. Eugene Pinkney delves into studying science, hiding his attraction to men, and courting danger. These characters come together, building a friendship that is natural and healing, but they also cause each other extreme pain.
In the present, Robert Parrish is facing a terrible case of imposter syndrome on the brink of losing the woman he loves. His past binds him in fear. To win her back, and make peace with himself, he delves into his past to understand himself before he will be worthy of her love. He peels back the layers on his family relationships and guilt as he discovers the origins of the authors of his favorite childhood series.
I recommend this book - especially if you have a desire to know more about the 20th Century and New York.
The sex scenes are not overly graphic.
One of the things I love about a Charlie Lovett novel is the interplay between the past and the present. Doesn't our past always play in our future?
In Escaping Dreamland, there are four protagonists, each badgered by their past. It takes a little while to have the storylines come together because each character is fleshed out by themselves prior to joining the others. Three of the characters are from the early 1900s. Magda Hertzenbergers is haunted by the loss of her family and has shed her German name and background, trying to become an American girl. Thomas De Peyster shuns his place in elite American society, much to the horror of his match-making mama, to become a journalist. Eugene Pinkney delves into studying science, hiding his attraction to men, and courting danger. These characters come together, building a friendship that is natural and healing, but they also cause each other extreme pain.
In the present, Robert Parrish is facing a terrible case of imposter syndrome on the brink of losing the woman he loves. His past binds him in fear. To win her back, and make peace with himself, he delves into his past to understand himself before he will be worthy of her love. He peels back the layers on his family relationships and guilt as he discovers the origins of the authors of his favorite childhood series.
I recommend this book - especially if you have a desire to know more about the 20th Century and New York.
The sex scenes are not overly graphic.
naluju's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Love the humanity in Charlie Lovett’s books!
inspiretruth's review
2.0
2.5 stars
Books shape our lives, expanding our imagination and inspiring our futures. Robert Parrish’s obsession with his favorite childhood book series, The Tremendous Trio, led him to be a writer, but when his past becomes inescapable, he will go on a journey to discover how the series came to be, along with uncovering the lives of its authors — Magda, Gene, and Tom. How far will a son go to fulfill his father’s wish? Will finding the truth of the past help Robert fix the present?
“Childhood is something you never forget or leave behind, but that doesn’t mean you should dwell in it. There is a great chasm between a man who always has a child-like part of his spirit and one who is eternally childish.” ~ Charlie Lovett
Escaping Dreamland was not what I expected. The title and summary led me to believe this would be an epic adventure, which it was, though not as exciting as most adventures tend to be. At times suspenseful and intriguing, I nevertheless found myself unable to submerge into the storyline. While the writing was well-done and the plot unique, certain directions caused me to not connect to the characters. I wanted to love this book, it began with a quote from Hamilton, after all; but, unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
“Food that is perfectly suitable for the mind of a child will not nourish that of a man.” ~ Charlie Lovett
Books shape our lives, expanding our imagination and inspiring our futures. Robert Parrish’s obsession with his favorite childhood book series, The Tremendous Trio, led him to be a writer, but when his past becomes inescapable, he will go on a journey to discover how the series came to be, along with uncovering the lives of its authors — Magda, Gene, and Tom. How far will a son go to fulfill his father’s wish? Will finding the truth of the past help Robert fix the present?
“Childhood is something you never forget or leave behind, but that doesn’t mean you should dwell in it. There is a great chasm between a man who always has a child-like part of his spirit and one who is eternally childish.” ~ Charlie Lovett
Escaping Dreamland was not what I expected. The title and summary led me to believe this would be an epic adventure, which it was, though not as exciting as most adventures tend to be. At times suspenseful and intriguing, I nevertheless found myself unable to submerge into the storyline. While the writing was well-done and the plot unique, certain directions caused me to not connect to the characters. I wanted to love this book, it began with a quote from Hamilton, after all; but, unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
“Food that is perfectly suitable for the mind of a child will not nourish that of a man.” ~ Charlie Lovett
lemurdance's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love a book that draws me in by checking off several boxes of my interest. In the case of Escaping Dreamland, we have: ✅ a book about books ✅ parallel narratives ✅ a literary mystery ✅ childhood serial novels á la Nancy Drew ✅ a local author ✅ inclusion of actual historical events and people
Robert is a newly-published popular author who is terrified that the contemporary literary world will discover that his inspiration for becoming a writer comes from an early 1900s series of novels originally owned by his grandfather. The youth adventure books not only entranced young Robert, but they also served as a way to bond with his father. As an adult, Robert begins to look for information about the authors but discovers there is surprisingly little about them...and surprisingly few people who have even heard of them. As Robert chases down every lead he can find across NYC, he is forced to confront his secret shame in his love for the books and the real reason for it. Simultaneously, we get the story of three unlikely friends in turn-of-the-century New York and their path to ghostwriting the adventure stories Robert is investigating.
I will admit to feeling some confusion over why loving children's books as an actual child was such a huge source of shame for Robert, but by the end of the book, it's clear the serial novels are merely a symptom for a larger, long-buried trauma. Although the inclusion true historical events and people was a little heavy-handed at times, I appreciated the context in the parallel storyline.
Robert is a newly-published popular author who is terrified that the contemporary literary world will discover that his inspiration for becoming a writer comes from an early 1900s series of novels originally owned by his grandfather. The youth adventure books not only entranced young Robert, but they also served as a way to bond with his father. As an adult, Robert begins to look for information about the authors but discovers there is surprisingly little about them...and surprisingly few people who have even heard of them. As Robert chases down every lead he can find across NYC, he is forced to confront his secret shame in his love for the books and the real reason for it. Simultaneously, we get the story of three unlikely friends in turn-of-the-century New York and their path to ghostwriting the adventure stories Robert is investigating.
I will admit to feeling some confusion over why loving children's books as an actual child was such a huge source of shame for Robert, but by the end of the book, it's clear the serial novels are merely a symptom for a larger, long-buried trauma. Although the inclusion true historical events and people was a little heavy-handed at times, I appreciated the context in the parallel storyline.
bibliopage's review
5.0
I actually really enjoyed this book as it wasn't what I expected--it has at it's heart two timelines: one in the past set in the burgeoning early 20th century and then one set in the present (2010). I really enjoyed following all of the characters and I would love to see this novel as a miniseries!
katekate_reads_'s review
4.0
What are the stories that make you who you are? What are the stories you keep hidden from everyone, even the people who love you the most? Escaping Dreamland explores these questions while taking you along on an adventure.
When Robert was a kid he struggled to find ways to connect with his dad - they had very different interests. Until one day while visiting his grandfather Robert comes across a box of old books. These were adventure stories from the early 1900s - the Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift - and as Robbie read them and rushed to discuss each with his dad, they found the connection that had been missing.
Robbie’s very favorite though were 4 connected series - each a trilogy. “Daring Dan Dawson, a series about a young circus daredevil who was always in the right place to perform spectacular rescues after dramatic disasters; Alice Gold, Girl Inventor, about a brilliant girl whose inventions are largely confined to the domestic sphere; Frank Fairfax, Cub Reporter, about a boy who goes to work for a newspaper and is assigned to various expeditions in search of lost civilizations; and, finally, a series involving all three of these youngsters and their adventures together - the Tremendous Trio.”
When our story really starts, it’s 2010 and Robert starts doing research to learn more about these books and their authors. The story alternates between his quest to learn more and the early 1900s when these books were being written. I really enjoyed the dual timelines and how the story came together.
This book also felt really personal to me. Growing up, I was really close to my dad. Right from the start, I felt like these are stories he might have enjoyed as a kid if they had been real. And the whole time I read, I wished I could share this story with him. He passed away almost 20 years ago so that isn’t possible but I loved thinking about him the whole time I read it.
This book also felt like a love letter to New York City - both current day and historical. I love the city - seeing places I know well and even my workplace mentioned added another layer to the story. Especially right now as I read this mid-pandemic and haven’t been to any of those places in 6 months.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
When Robert was a kid he struggled to find ways to connect with his dad - they had very different interests. Until one day while visiting his grandfather Robert comes across a box of old books. These were adventure stories from the early 1900s - the Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift - and as Robbie read them and rushed to discuss each with his dad, they found the connection that had been missing.
Robbie’s very favorite though were 4 connected series - each a trilogy. “Daring Dan Dawson, a series about a young circus daredevil who was always in the right place to perform spectacular rescues after dramatic disasters; Alice Gold, Girl Inventor, about a brilliant girl whose inventions are largely confined to the domestic sphere; Frank Fairfax, Cub Reporter, about a boy who goes to work for a newspaper and is assigned to various expeditions in search of lost civilizations; and, finally, a series involving all three of these youngsters and their adventures together - the Tremendous Trio.”
When our story really starts, it’s 2010 and Robert starts doing research to learn more about these books and their authors. The story alternates between his quest to learn more and the early 1900s when these books were being written. I really enjoyed the dual timelines and how the story came together.
This book also felt really personal to me. Growing up, I was really close to my dad. Right from the start, I felt like these are stories he might have enjoyed as a kid if they had been real. And the whole time I read, I wished I could share this story with him. He passed away almost 20 years ago so that isn’t possible but I loved thinking about him the whole time I read it.
This book also felt like a love letter to New York City - both current day and historical. I love the city - seeing places I know well and even my workplace mentioned added another layer to the story. Especially right now as I read this mid-pandemic and haven’t been to any of those places in 6 months.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
joradora's review
4.0
If I could do half stars, I'd really give this a 3.5, but it won't let me and I love Charlie Lovett so rounding up. I really really did enjoy this one, but I had some hesitancy with how much the children's books affected the mental state and behavior of the adult protagonist. There was just something about it that felt forced, but hard to explain without spoilers. Maybe if it hadn't been such a secret throughout the book. The book was heartbreaking and bittersweet. I loved the different storylines for each of the main characters and how it jumped back and forth in timelines. This is something that Charlie Lovett does really well. I'd say it's not as great as his other "tales" but I did still love it. Definitely worth a read.
asalzano9's review
4.0
The historical time period was what drew me to this book - after seeing a video on YouTube about the history of the Coney Island parks, I was very interested in Dreamland. I loved the 1900s New York parts of this book. I wasn't quite as into the present day parts, with a somewhat unlikable main character in Robert. Some highlights for me were I had never heard of the Slocum disaster before reading this book, and the descriptions of the 1906 earthquake in SF were interesting too. Of course I also absolutely loved the Dreamland part too. The characters from this time period were intriguing too. All in all I enjoyed this one.