A review by mhinnen
California Golden by Melanie Benjamin

adventurous challenging emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was a good beach read. I read it on a vacation day. It was fun to explore the California life from the surf to the celebrity culture in the mid 60s. It was also important to pull the veil off the sense of nostalgia. I appreciate that Benjamin incorporated the expectations of motherhood, the appropriation of surfing from Hawaii, the risks of interracial relationships. The time shifts and overlaps were confusing at points but overall offered a helpful trajectory from different points of view. 

That said, overall this book felt very sad to me. Children growing up unwanted and the superficial paths they eventually take. I didn’t love the characters. While there was some sense of redemption and relief at the end, I came away from California Golden feeling heavy. 

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. 
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