A review by cindy_f
California Golden by Melanie Benjamin

4.0

This novel takes us to the surfing culture of Southern California during the 1960’s. It’s reminiscent of the Frankie and Annette beach movies I loved watching as a kid- without the cheesiness. Benjamin brings this era alive with references to pop culture- Gidget, Duke Kahanamoku, the famous Whiskey a Go Go, rock bands as well as popular fashion- fringe bikinis, false eyelashes, big hair and go go boots.

We follow the Donnelly girls- sisters Mindy and Ginger and their mother Carol, a champion surfer. There’s no doubt how bad a mother Carol is, traveling off to Hawaii to follow the wave while her husband takes care of the young girls. Carol returns home after her husband leaves her and the girls. Mindy and Ginger are thrilled to be taking surf lessons from Carol, hoping this bond will ensure their mother doesn’t leave them. Mindy took to surfing and later won competitions and starred in surf movies. She was “the girl in the curl.” Ginger chose to hang on to a narcissistic “surf god” who introduced her to drugs and a hippie lifestyle.

The book is divided into parts: the first part (book) is Mindy and Ginger’s story. Mindy took on the nurturer role for Ginger but also gets caught up in the lime light. The relationship between the sisters was written really well, how their years of neglect affected both their lives in different ways.

In the second part, we learn more about Carol and her rise to surfing stardom in a predominantly man’s world. How she was expected to be a wife and mother and go to PTA meetings. “The only constant is the sea.”

At times, this is an emotional story with common literary themes but also very original. I appreciated all the research that went into writing this book. I think it’s worth a read if you’re into complex family drama, unconventional female strength and love of the ocean.

Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press/ Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for my review.