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Flowertown
When Feno Chemical spilled an experimental pesticide in rural Iowa, scores of people died. Those who survived contamination were herded into a US Army medically maintained quarantine and cut off from the world. Dosed with powerful drugs to combat the poison, their bodies give off a sickly sweet smell and the containment zone becomes known simply as Flowertown.
Seven years later, the infrastructure is crumbling, supplies are dwindling, and nobody is getting clean. Ellie Cauley doesn’t care anymore. Despite her paranoid best friend's insistence that conspiracies abound, she focuses on three things: staying high, hooking up with the Army sergeant she's not supposed to be fraternizing with and, most importantly, trying to ignore her ever-simmering rage. But when a series of deadly events rocks the compound, Ellie suspects her friend is right—something dangerous is going down in Flowertown and all signs point to a twisted plan of greed and abuse. She and the other residents of Flowertown have been betrayed by someone with a deadly agenda and their plan is just getting started. Time is running out. With nobody to trust and nowhere to go, Ellie decides to fight with the last weapon she has—her rage.
Flowertown is a high-intensity conspiracy thriller that brings the worst-case scenario vividly to life and will keep readers riveted until the final haunting page.
Seven years later, the infrastructure is crumbling, supplies are dwindling, and nobody is getting clean. Ellie Cauley doesn’t care anymore. Despite her paranoid best friend's insistence that conspiracies abound, she focuses on three things: staying high, hooking up with the Army sergeant she's not supposed to be fraternizing with and, most importantly, trying to ignore her ever-simmering rage. But when a series of deadly events rocks the compound, Ellie suspects her friend is right—something dangerous is going down in Flowertown and all signs point to a twisted plan of greed and abuse. She and the other residents of Flowertown have been betrayed by someone with a deadly agenda and their plan is just getting started. Time is running out. With nobody to trust and nowhere to go, Ellie decides to fight with the last weapon she has—her rage.
Flowertown is a high-intensity conspiracy thriller that brings the worst-case scenario vividly to life and will keep readers riveted until the final haunting page.
378 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2012
411 people are currently reading
3479 people want to read
About the author
S.G. Redling
14 books313 followersS.G. Redling, a graduate of Georgetown University, has spent fifteen years waking up the good folks of Huntington WV and its environs on the WKEE-FM morning radio show. She recently wound up her headphones for the last time and is focusing on thrillers, mysteries and urban fantasy. When S.G. isn't writing, she loves to paint, travel and embarrass herself by speaking wretched Italian.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 725 reviews
July 20, 2012
5 Stars
Flowertown is a fabulous summer read and a real sleeper that needs to get some notoriety. This is a post apocalyptic novel that takes place with an intimate setting and is a nice twist from the standards of the genre. This is not a zombie book. It is however a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your summer lounge, quickly swiping away at your ereader, and it will throw you through some kick ass twist and turns along the way.
“Flowertown was the derogatory, and therefore
customary, term for the PennCo Containment Area. It
used to be the west end of Dalesbrook, Iowa, in the
northeast corner of Penn County, until six years
ago when Feno Chemical spilled an experimental and
highly dangerous pesticide along the interstate and
into Furman Creek, which ran directly to the
reservoir that served the area.”
Flowertown is a quarantined small Iowa city that is guarded, fenced in, and is placed under extreme isolation measures. The USA Army helps maintain this locked down town in hopes that the drug companies through radical drug treatments can detoxify and cure the “Stained” affected. Over the years a huge number of people die from the pesticide. More die from the treatments. Others die by their own hands. The people of Flowertown live for years as if they were convicted criminals surving time in a maximum security detention center. Only they have it worse as they must undergo slews of tests and drug treatments.
At its heart this is a character novel that shines on its stars. Elanor Cauley, Ellie is simply one cool, messed up, and dangerously psychotic pot head. She is the star of this novel and due to her fragile psyche it is often difficult to take her point of view other than with a grain of salt. Ellie is a rebel, a smart ass, a brute of a girl, and oh yeah a major pot head too. She is surrounded by identifiable interesting characters. Bing, her best friend for all the years and coworker is the calming voice that tries to keep her in line. The rebel in her has her shacking up with Guy, an Army GI and one that she should be avoiding, not bonking. She always has a "I don't give a shit attitude."
“He shook his head. “What’s the point? You don’t
hear anything, Ellie. You’re like some subterranean
troll that just covers itself with leaves until
someone steps too close, then you lunge up and tear
them to shreds. You have two emotions—apathy and
rage – and nothing in between.” Ellie wanted him to
sop, but she could hear the truth in his words.”
It’s like you’re not even a person. You’re an…
organism.””
The book works by making each of the characters three dimensional. Guy is interesting because we do not know his motives other than that he enjoys banging the stoner. He even makes some huge life choices that are questionable and leaves us readers guessing as to where things may be heading. Bing, Ellie’s best friend, coworker, and social conscience is also quite complex and it is clear that his motives are at times contradictory to each other. He is the locals source for drugs. He also seems to be a bit of an anarchist and is always crying conspiracy and displaying clear forms of paranoia. Yet, he also takes it upon himself to try and keep Ellie straight, to make her more acceptable, and to listen to her woes as well as his own. Rachel, the gorgeous young newbie also is not straight forward. She knows a lot, has worked in many places, and at times seems too local… All these awesome character quirks made each page fly by. I loved the layers and the plot twists of this book and feel that Redling really knows how to pen a fun thriller. These are very memorable characters.
The book does a great job at world building, spelling it out quickly in the beginning of the story and filling it in through some backstory as the novel progresses. I loved the current feel that this type of apocalypse presents. Much of this story would seem feasible in our world today. I loved the dark understory, the greed, and the corruption. Humor, witty dialogue, and some awkward social situations make for some laugh out loud moments worthy of a quick reread.
Flowertown is a well written, super-fast page turner that should not be missed. This book is one of my favorite for the 2012 year as it so much damn fun to read. I just hope that this book is not overlooked.
Flowertown is a fabulous summer read and a real sleeper that needs to get some notoriety. This is a post apocalyptic novel that takes place with an intimate setting and is a nice twist from the standards of the genre. This is not a zombie book. It is however a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your summer lounge, quickly swiping away at your ereader, and it will throw you through some kick ass twist and turns along the way.
“Flowertown was the derogatory, and therefore
customary, term for the PennCo Containment Area. It
used to be the west end of Dalesbrook, Iowa, in the
northeast corner of Penn County, until six years
ago when Feno Chemical spilled an experimental and
highly dangerous pesticide along the interstate and
into Furman Creek, which ran directly to the
reservoir that served the area.”
Flowertown is a quarantined small Iowa city that is guarded, fenced in, and is placed under extreme isolation measures. The USA Army helps maintain this locked down town in hopes that the drug companies through radical drug treatments can detoxify and cure the “Stained” affected. Over the years a huge number of people die from the pesticide. More die from the treatments. Others die by their own hands. The people of Flowertown live for years as if they were convicted criminals surving time in a maximum security detention center. Only they have it worse as they must undergo slews of tests and drug treatments.
At its heart this is a character novel that shines on its stars. Elanor Cauley, Ellie is simply one cool, messed up, and dangerously psychotic pot head. She is the star of this novel and due to her fragile psyche it is often difficult to take her point of view other than with a grain of salt. Ellie is a rebel, a smart ass, a brute of a girl, and oh yeah a major pot head too. She is surrounded by identifiable interesting characters. Bing, her best friend for all the years and coworker is the calming voice that tries to keep her in line. The rebel in her has her shacking up with Guy, an Army GI and one that she should be avoiding, not bonking. She always has a "I don't give a shit attitude."
“He shook his head. “What’s the point? You don’t
hear anything, Ellie. You’re like some subterranean
troll that just covers itself with leaves until
someone steps too close, then you lunge up and tear
them to shreds. You have two emotions—apathy and
rage – and nothing in between.” Ellie wanted him to
sop, but she could hear the truth in his words.”
It’s like you’re not even a person. You’re an…
organism.””
The book works by making each of the characters three dimensional. Guy is interesting because we do not know his motives other than that he enjoys banging the stoner. He even makes some huge life choices that are questionable and leaves us readers guessing as to where things may be heading. Bing, Ellie’s best friend, coworker, and social conscience is also quite complex and it is clear that his motives are at times contradictory to each other. He is the locals source for drugs. He also seems to be a bit of an anarchist and is always crying conspiracy and displaying clear forms of paranoia. Yet, he also takes it upon himself to try and keep Ellie straight, to make her more acceptable, and to listen to her woes as well as his own. Rachel, the gorgeous young newbie also is not straight forward. She knows a lot, has worked in many places, and at times seems too local… All these awesome character quirks made each page fly by. I loved the layers and the plot twists of this book and feel that Redling really knows how to pen a fun thriller. These are very memorable characters.
The book does a great job at world building, spelling it out quickly in the beginning of the story and filling it in through some backstory as the novel progresses. I loved the current feel that this type of apocalypse presents. Much of this story would seem feasible in our world today. I loved the dark understory, the greed, and the corruption. Humor, witty dialogue, and some awkward social situations make for some laugh out loud moments worthy of a quick reread.
Flowertown is a well written, super-fast page turner that should not be missed. This book is one of my favorite for the 2012 year as it so much damn fun to read. I just hope that this book is not overlooked.
June 29, 2012
Most of the books I read, I read because I've followed some trail of hype. Popular on Goodreads or all my friends have read it or best selling, etc, etc.
It's so nice, then, to just pick up a book because it sounded good and to discover what feels like a hidden gem.
Feno Chemical spills an experimental pesticide near a small town in Iowa. Those that survive the contamination are quarantined, guarded by the US Army and a private security force. They work, eat, sleep and are under constant medical supervision. Ellie Caulley's history in containment, all seven years of it, is complicated. She's lost a lover and gained one. She's angry but combats that by constantly smoking something. She's apathetic yet she still seems to have fight in her. And now, Flowertown as the quarantine area is dubbed, seems to be falling apart at the seams.
I really, really liked Ellie. Not in an "I can relate to her, I want to hang out with her on Saturdays" way. I just loved that she was a complicated hero, but that at the end of the day, she kicked ass. I loved that I was rooting for a character who almost never showered, who swore like a sailor and tended to miss what was in front of her. Regardless of what gave her the bite that followed her bark, Ellie is a fighter and there is nothing that I like better in a character.
The premise of this novel was fairly unique and well executed. I often found myself asking the "what if" questions. I found myself playing the, "just imagine" game. What if there was a chemical spill of this magnitude? What if a small population could infect the country or the world? Just imagine being stuck in this microcosm. Just imagine how you would react as you realized that life was slowly bleeding out its meaning. Would I be a 2? A 5? A 7? Docile and accepting? Normal? Angry? Any story that can stir up this sort of extended reaction is doing something right.
I did not see the big twist coming until just the right moment. I pieced it all together just a tick before Ellie gets the reveal, which is nicely done by the author. I got the satisfaction of the OH MY GOD, I FIGURED IT OUT. Plus, when the reveal came, it didn't feel like it came from left field. I saw all the pieces fall together.
The supporting cast is all wonderful as well, from Ellie's farm girl roommate to her intimidating boss. The newspaper selling ex-professor. The market owning old woman who never sleeps. The more I think about it, the more I realize how quirky and interesting they all were.
I have no complaints about the writing, but no big observations there either. I found some of the dialogue to be better than good and liked the rough and tumble feel of everyone in the town.
I found myself wondering at the end if this is meant to be a stand alone novel. I think it should be, or rather it could be, but in that case I was a little dissatisfied with the end. Either it was an amazing cliffhanger or I'm going to go wonder what happened to the villain and a few other balls left in the air while I eat ice cream now.
Specifically:
This was a nice break from my typical book and I certainly don't regret reading it. One of the better things I've read in 2012.
October 13, 2014
Seven years ago, the folks at Feno Chemical developed a new pesticide that was designed, as always, to improve the lives of all Americans--Better Living Through Chemistry, and all that.
Well, as it turns out, maybe not so much in this case. When Feno accidentally spills the new pesticide near a small town in rural Iowa, the results are catastrophic. Scores of people die immediately; hundreds of others are left extremely sick and contagious, and there is no immediate cure for the diseases that now ravage the survivors.
Said survivors are herded into a camp, sealed off from the rest of the country, and guarded by the U.S. Army while scientists attempt to discover a cure that will allow them to be integrated back into the general U.S. population. The camp becomes known as Flowertown because of the sickly sweet smell that the survivors give off. The soldiers, medical personnel and others who interact with the residents are inoculated to protect them from being contaminated by the Flowertownians.
Seven years down the road, there's still no cure and conditions in Flowertown are rapidly deteriorating. Some residents still hope for a cure and for the chance to leave the camp; others are resigned to their fate and assume that they will die in Flowertown; others believe that a massive conspiracy is at work, or maybe several conspiracies, and that they are all only pawns in the hands of Feno Chemical and other larger, sinister forces.
Ellie Cauley simply doesn't care anymore. She knows she's never going to get out of the camp and she copes by getting high and by having torrid sex with an army officer who should be off limits. Her behavior is against the rules, of course, but Ellie is long past caring about rules.
Suddenly, though, conditions in Flowertown go from bad to worse. Feno Chemical and the army begin cracking down hard on the residents; Ellie finds herself under intense scrutiny, and the town is rocked by a series of unanticipated and seemingly inexplicable developments. Maybe those conspiracy nuts aren't so nutty after all, and as events spiral out of control, Ellie is drawn into a storm of intrigue and violence that may drag her down with the rest of Flowertown, just as she decides that there may be things she cares about after all.
In Flowertown, S. G. Redling, author of The Widow File: A Thriller and Redemption Key, has created another great protagonist and turned her loose in a unique and intriguing story. In many ways, Ellie is not a very appealing person, but she's an irresistible character in a story like this. The plot has more than enough satisfying twists and turns, and as has been the case with Redling's other books, this one will have readers turning the pages late into the night.
Well, as it turns out, maybe not so much in this case. When Feno accidentally spills the new pesticide near a small town in rural Iowa, the results are catastrophic. Scores of people die immediately; hundreds of others are left extremely sick and contagious, and there is no immediate cure for the diseases that now ravage the survivors.
Said survivors are herded into a camp, sealed off from the rest of the country, and guarded by the U.S. Army while scientists attempt to discover a cure that will allow them to be integrated back into the general U.S. population. The camp becomes known as Flowertown because of the sickly sweet smell that the survivors give off. The soldiers, medical personnel and others who interact with the residents are inoculated to protect them from being contaminated by the Flowertownians.
Seven years down the road, there's still no cure and conditions in Flowertown are rapidly deteriorating. Some residents still hope for a cure and for the chance to leave the camp; others are resigned to their fate and assume that they will die in Flowertown; others believe that a massive conspiracy is at work, or maybe several conspiracies, and that they are all only pawns in the hands of Feno Chemical and other larger, sinister forces.
Ellie Cauley simply doesn't care anymore. She knows she's never going to get out of the camp and she copes by getting high and by having torrid sex with an army officer who should be off limits. Her behavior is against the rules, of course, but Ellie is long past caring about rules.
Suddenly, though, conditions in Flowertown go from bad to worse. Feno Chemical and the army begin cracking down hard on the residents; Ellie finds herself under intense scrutiny, and the town is rocked by a series of unanticipated and seemingly inexplicable developments. Maybe those conspiracy nuts aren't so nutty after all, and as events spiral out of control, Ellie is drawn into a storm of intrigue and violence that may drag her down with the rest of Flowertown, just as she decides that there may be things she cares about after all.
In Flowertown, S. G. Redling, author of The Widow File: A Thriller and Redemption Key, has created another great protagonist and turned her loose in a unique and intriguing story. In many ways, Ellie is not a very appealing person, but she's an irresistible character in a story like this. The plot has more than enough satisfying twists and turns, and as has been the case with Redling's other books, this one will have readers turning the pages late into the night.
August 3, 2012
I wanted to like "Flowertown" more than this. I really did.
As a fan of dystopian fiction, the plot and setting captivated me -- a rural Iowa town is contaminated by an experimental pesticide. Those who survived the grueling rounds of pharmaceutical treatment that followed live in a 7.5 square-mile slice of despair called "Flowertown," after the sweet smell the denizens exude as a medicinal side effect. The intrigue rose to adequate levels, centering around changes in the quarantine zone related to the Army and the pharma company responsible for the initial accident. I could not put it down at points, and I occasionally felt like I could be reading any veteran author's work.
Then again, there were points when it read like "The Eye of Argon" and points that cried out for an editor's eye. Consider one character's instruction to another: "No matter what happens, stay here...If anything happens, head to [slight spoiler redacted]." The ellipsis omits no important qualifying remarks. Two of the first eight chapters ended with something exploding. I could have sworn until Chapter 5 that I was actually reading the dystopian flavor of a bodice-ripper (hazmat-ripper?) romance novel. The author inserted plot development during one early intimate moment. Barbs more suited to a morning radio show pepper the dialog, and taking the stairs two at a time proved the book's overarching symbol of urgency.
The book wrapped up too quickly, and that after devoting an entire chapter to a practical joke. I found the final chapter unfulfilling, as it left the door wide open for a sequel while the fates of numerous characters were not explained. The book treated its minor characters as plot devices. Mr. MacDonald's final scene made no sense. Torrez was only introduced so he could later serve as a deus ex machina. The new girl in Ellie's office was excised and never mentioned again.
I could have forgiven all these transgressions if it made for strong main characters. Try as I might, though, I could never identify with the protagonist, Ellie. I never believed she could be a real person. I can see in hindsight where the author was trying to go with her character development, but by the time the book turned to the main action, my brain had already labelled her as "apathetic stoner chick," her army lover as "mindless swaggering muscleman," and her best friend as "nerdy conspiracy theorist." The course of the book attempted to change each of these labels, but did so unconvincingly. Was Ellie's fascination with Rachel's tooth supposed to humanize her? Was the shift in characterization intended to make them all complex or more sophisticated than the labels they're almost handwritten at the book's outset? I just don't know.
That's what doesn't work about "Flowertown." Every major facet of the plot and characters had to have more than one angle. Flipping characters' reactions and emotions midstream, making them do things that don't seem in keeping with their established responses, is akin to patching an old garment with new fabric -- it results in a worse tear.
I think placing a dystopian city in the middle of everyday America has the same effect. In the end, all you have to do is clean everybody up and send them back out into pleasant society. The survivors' struggle appears tragic, but never solidifies into a world. Dystopian fiction is by definition escapist fiction, and "Flowertown" simply did not let me escape. How could I escape when comfortable old America was always just 5 miles outside the quarantine zone?
The book tries to be romance, conspiracy thriller and social commentary, but it comes short of all three. It doesn't know quite what it is, and I don't either. My best guess is that "Flowertown" is an intriguing idea, written marginally with cardboard characters. If someone novelized a Syfy Original Movie, this might just be the result.
As a fan of dystopian fiction, the plot and setting captivated me -- a rural Iowa town is contaminated by an experimental pesticide. Those who survived the grueling rounds of pharmaceutical treatment that followed live in a 7.5 square-mile slice of despair called "Flowertown," after the sweet smell the denizens exude as a medicinal side effect. The intrigue rose to adequate levels, centering around changes in the quarantine zone related to the Army and the pharma company responsible for the initial accident. I could not put it down at points, and I occasionally felt like I could be reading any veteran author's work.
Then again, there were points when it read like "The Eye of Argon" and points that cried out for an editor's eye. Consider one character's instruction to another: "No matter what happens, stay here...If anything happens, head to [slight spoiler redacted]." The ellipsis omits no important qualifying remarks. Two of the first eight chapters ended with something exploding. I could have sworn until Chapter 5 that I was actually reading the dystopian flavor of a bodice-ripper (hazmat-ripper?) romance novel. The author inserted plot development during one early intimate moment. Barbs more suited to a morning radio show pepper the dialog, and taking the stairs two at a time proved the book's overarching symbol of urgency.
The book wrapped up too quickly, and that after devoting an entire chapter to a practical joke. I found the final chapter unfulfilling, as it left the door wide open for a sequel while the fates of numerous characters were not explained. The book treated its minor characters as plot devices. Mr. MacDonald's final scene made no sense. Torrez was only introduced so he could later serve as a deus ex machina. The new girl in Ellie's office was excised and never mentioned again.
I could have forgiven all these transgressions if it made for strong main characters. Try as I might, though, I could never identify with the protagonist, Ellie. I never believed she could be a real person. I can see in hindsight where the author was trying to go with her character development, but by the time the book turned to the main action, my brain had already labelled her as "apathetic stoner chick," her army lover as "mindless swaggering muscleman," and her best friend as "nerdy conspiracy theorist." The course of the book attempted to change each of these labels, but did so unconvincingly. Was Ellie's fascination with Rachel's tooth supposed to humanize her? Was the shift in characterization intended to make them all complex or more sophisticated than the labels they're almost handwritten at the book's outset? I just don't know.
That's what doesn't work about "Flowertown." Every major facet of the plot and characters had to have more than one angle. Flipping characters' reactions and emotions midstream, making them do things that don't seem in keeping with their established responses, is akin to patching an old garment with new fabric -- it results in a worse tear.
I think placing a dystopian city in the middle of everyday America has the same effect. In the end, all you have to do is clean everybody up and send them back out into pleasant society. The survivors' struggle appears tragic, but never solidifies into a world. Dystopian fiction is by definition escapist fiction, and "Flowertown" simply did not let me escape. How could I escape when comfortable old America was always just 5 miles outside the quarantine zone?
The book tries to be romance, conspiracy thriller and social commentary, but it comes short of all three. It doesn't know quite what it is, and I don't either. My best guess is that "Flowertown" is an intriguing idea, written marginally with cardboard characters. If someone novelized a Syfy Original Movie, this might just be the result.
July 1, 2012
Wasn't sure about this when I started it, as it wasn't like my usual picks. But oh. My. Goodness. Could not put this book down. Ellie was such a convoluted mess of a heroine. The plot was just twisted enough to catch myself sitting with my mouth hanging open. Loved this book and really looking forward to more from Ms. Redling.
June 26, 2012
4.5 stars
This book has not gotten the publicity it deserves.
This book has not gotten the publicity it deserves.
Read
March 7, 2012I don't like to rate books I'm narrating. It just doesn't feel right, especially if the book hasn't been released yet. BUT I can say some general things. This is the type of book that I'm drawn to even if I'm not narrating. You know, one I'd pick up on my own at the bookstore to curl up with. I love the strong characters, the plot, the action, and the end. So excited to give voice to this. I hope I do the characters justice.
August 1, 2012
I go to turn on my Kindle about a week ago and there is an image of a tattered fence with a biohazard sign hanging in the landscape of Smalltown U.S.A. Sorry, but you drop an image like that in my face and you have all but marketed yourself into a sale. I follow the link to learn more and the plot summary tells the woes of a small rural town in Iowa that became the site of a chemical spill. The grounds and town folk were contaminated and the residents quarantined... the residents that survived that is.
Flowertown is the type of book that makes you glad Kindle was invented. Published independently by a morning radio host, S.G. Redling, this is exactly the type of book that likely would not have been published a decade ago, but has flourished under the ability for Amazon to take low-risk, high-return on rookie authors.
Redling's tale of residents held in drab conditions under an almost dictatorish regime of the same pharmaceutical company that caused the disaster to begin with creates a twisted ironythat if you are shot by a doctor he would be the one to treat you in the trauma center. So crazy it is clearly possible in our society.
The one fallback of the book is it takes a good 50% of the book to really get wound up in the conspiracy that is blindly tearing the last hopes from Flowertown. And when the conspiracy does begin to take form it does so at a pace that can at times be confusing, but not by any means unable to follow. But with medical terminology and medications the learning curve appears much more steep than reality.
While the conspiracy may take time to develop, the book is almost get go from the start. Ellie, the protagonist is a short fuse, high-energy pot head stuck in a small town she was only breezing through making her a loner not only by choice, but by a society stand point that small town folk seem to shun outsiders even when you think they are smiling at you. From page 1 she is a reader's hero, the type to want to succeed and genuinely like. Not because she is the hero so to speak, but because she is the flawed hero with baggage, not the white knight without fault. A John McClane (Die Hard) if you will.
Like any good conspiracy everything you think you knew about the story is flipped upside down and the author tries to give the perceptive reader some signals, some are a little more obvious and give you a strong sense of what is going to transpire. While you can identify players and motives of some characters, the book is good at hiding the true nature of their intentions. At points you will be telling yourself, how can they be so blind, wanting to yell through the Kindle at them to open their eyes and see someone for who they are, by the end of the story Redling does a good job of laying her cards on the table and explaining how people could miss the information just laid before their eyes.
At just under 400 pages the book is a breeze to read even for a conspiracy. Aside from the medical jargon and medication that are all but required for a story of this nature the author does a good job keeping the story flowing and easy to read without needing to look up words or terms. If you have ever read Robin Cook, whose books I love, you would know what I mean.
At first I was feeling like the book ended abruptly, lacking an epilogue. But after thinking about it for a few it was fitting that it is resolved, but slightly mysterious. In society we are fairly used to having everything wrapped up in nice little bow these days, but it is nice to have that ambiguous ending.
Read All You Want.
Flowertown is the type of book that makes you glad Kindle was invented. Published independently by a morning radio host, S.G. Redling, this is exactly the type of book that likely would not have been published a decade ago, but has flourished under the ability for Amazon to take low-risk, high-return on rookie authors.
Redling's tale of residents held in drab conditions under an almost dictatorish regime of the same pharmaceutical company that caused the disaster to begin with creates a twisted ironythat if you are shot by a doctor he would be the one to treat you in the trauma center. So crazy it is clearly possible in our society.
The one fallback of the book is it takes a good 50% of the book to really get wound up in the conspiracy that is blindly tearing the last hopes from Flowertown. And when the conspiracy does begin to take form it does so at a pace that can at times be confusing, but not by any means unable to follow. But with medical terminology and medications the learning curve appears much more steep than reality.
While the conspiracy may take time to develop, the book is almost get go from the start. Ellie, the protagonist is a short fuse, high-energy pot head stuck in a small town she was only breezing through making her a loner not only by choice, but by a society stand point that small town folk seem to shun outsiders even when you think they are smiling at you. From page 1 she is a reader's hero, the type to want to succeed and genuinely like. Not because she is the hero so to speak, but because she is the flawed hero with baggage, not the white knight without fault. A John McClane (Die Hard) if you will.
Like any good conspiracy everything you think you knew about the story is flipped upside down and the author tries to give the perceptive reader some signals, some are a little more obvious and give you a strong sense of what is going to transpire. While you can identify players and motives of some characters, the book is good at hiding the true nature of their intentions. At points you will be telling yourself, how can they be so blind, wanting to yell through the Kindle at them to open their eyes and see someone for who they are, by the end of the story Redling does a good job of laying her cards on the table and explaining how people could miss the information just laid before their eyes.
At just under 400 pages the book is a breeze to read even for a conspiracy. Aside from the medical jargon and medication that are all but required for a story of this nature the author does a good job keeping the story flowing and easy to read without needing to look up words or terms. If you have ever read Robin Cook, whose books I love, you would know what I mean.
At first I was feeling like the book ended abruptly, lacking an epilogue. But after thinking about it for a few it was fitting that it is resolved, but slightly mysterious. In society we are fairly used to having everything wrapped up in nice little bow these days, but it is nice to have that ambiguous ending.
Read All You Want.
September 21, 2013
Flowertown I've read a few books that loosely fall into the category of dystopian novels. I don't think it was ever really my thing and in recent years even less so. I don't read books to be depressed, I read for entertainment. After a catastrophic chemical spill a small town in Iowa is fenced off from the world and the residents put into quarantine. The company responsible for the contamination is put in charge of the town and the health of the residents, but they have their own agenda.
S.G. Redling manages to build the suspense and paranoia in this book to almost oppressive levels. Her protagonist, Ellie doesn't care about anything, but when she stumbles upon a conspiracy, she explodes in a fury of anger and violence.Overall this is a good book but (my personal opinion) the ending was not entirely satisfactory. Some authors like to leave a few loose ends in their books. I don't have a problem with that as a stylistic choice but I don't think it worked in this book. I wanted to know what happened to the residents of Flowertown. Ellie is also described as an unstable and violent personality type. It didn't quite ring true that she could hit someone over the head with a crow-bar but hesitate to pull a trigger on someone who was antagonizing her and all but telling her she was going to be set up to look like a suicide bomber. In any case, the book gets 4 stars even though it's not really my thing.
My good friend Melody who is much more at home in this genre than I read the book and this is what she thought
Book Review: Flowertown by S.G. RedlingNow this is more my kind of book.The story held my attention right to the very end, even when I knew all of the secrets that had to be revealed.The writing style was engaging and very active. I could easily picture what was happening and feel the movement of the scenarios. The characters were well developed and I always felt like there was more to learn about them (and there was). Plus, they still seemed like they had pasts and secrets that weren't revealed in the story.It was a nice length, not short enough to be read in a day and not long enough to be a mission of a book.I highly recommend this book for people who love sarcastic characters and a more believable (but still definitely fictional) storyline.Not for those who care about swearing though.
S.G. Redling manages to build the suspense and paranoia in this book to almost oppressive levels. Her protagonist, Ellie doesn't care about anything, but when she stumbles upon a conspiracy, she explodes in a fury of anger and violence.Overall this is a good book but (my personal opinion) the ending was not entirely satisfactory. Some authors like to leave a few loose ends in their books. I don't have a problem with that as a stylistic choice but I don't think it worked in this book. I wanted to know what happened to the residents of Flowertown. Ellie is also described as an unstable and violent personality type. It didn't quite ring true that she could hit someone over the head with a crow-bar but hesitate to pull a trigger on someone who was antagonizing her and all but telling her she was going to be set up to look like a suicide bomber. In any case, the book gets 4 stars even though it's not really my thing.
My good friend Melody who is much more at home in this genre than I read the book and this is what she thought
Book Review: Flowertown by S.G. RedlingNow this is more my kind of book.The story held my attention right to the very end, even when I knew all of the secrets that had to be revealed.The writing style was engaging and very active. I could easily picture what was happening and feel the movement of the scenarios. The characters were well developed and I always felt like there was more to learn about them (and there was). Plus, they still seemed like they had pasts and secrets that weren't revealed in the story.It was a nice length, not short enough to be read in a day and not long enough to be a mission of a book.I highly recommend this book for people who love sarcastic characters and a more believable (but still definitely fictional) storyline.Not for those who care about swearing though.
June 22, 2012
I love Ellie Cauley, the main character in Flowertown. I grew up on slasher movies where high-school beauty queens ran upstairs in their high-heels, only to be killed by the bad guy. They always fell down, they always screamed, and I always hated it.
Not so with Ellie. She is hard, cynical, and seems that she couldn't care less. This is actually Ellie's survival mechanism. It's how she copes because, ultimately, she is a survivor.
After a devestating chemical spill in rural Iowa, Ellie finds herself plucked from her career and good life only to be placed under very strict government and corporate enforced quarentine. Not only that, she knows she will never leave. So yes, she is a pot-smoking, fornicating, slob with the attitude, "What are they going to do, kill me? And that is worse, how?"
She doesn't get pulled into the conspiracy theories that are all around her as the fragile infrastructure of Flowertown begins to crumble. She just takes a hit from her everpresent joint and keeps pushing pencils at one of many jobs that were created to keep residents of Flowertown from being bored.
Until the explosion.
This book had me chomping at the bit for more. The premise is unique. The characters are endearing, even with their faults. And, as with every good book, there are twists and turns to keep you reading.
I highly recomend this book. It is a very good read and I look forward to more from this new author. Keep 'em coming S.G. Reddling.
One final note. When I think of Ellie Cauley, I remember something my grandmother used to say, "You can only kick a dog so many times before she bites back!"
Not so with Ellie. She is hard, cynical, and seems that she couldn't care less. This is actually Ellie's survival mechanism. It's how she copes because, ultimately, she is a survivor.
After a devestating chemical spill in rural Iowa, Ellie finds herself plucked from her career and good life only to be placed under very strict government and corporate enforced quarentine. Not only that, she knows she will never leave. So yes, she is a pot-smoking, fornicating, slob with the attitude, "What are they going to do, kill me? And that is worse, how?"
She doesn't get pulled into the conspiracy theories that are all around her as the fragile infrastructure of Flowertown begins to crumble. She just takes a hit from her everpresent joint and keeps pushing pencils at one of many jobs that were created to keep residents of Flowertown from being bored.
Until the explosion.
This book had me chomping at the bit for more. The premise is unique. The characters are endearing, even with their faults. And, as with every good book, there are twists and turns to keep you reading.
I highly recomend this book. It is a very good read and I look forward to more from this new author. Keep 'em coming S.G. Reddling.
One final note. When I think of Ellie Cauley, I remember something my grandmother used to say, "You can only kick a dog so many times before she bites back!"
August 21, 2012
This is my 08/12 Kindle Lending Library selection. I have to admit that when I finished this book, I wanted to read it again immediately. While the plot initially seems fairly straightforward, there are some twists and turns I really did not anticipate, and I wanted to go back and really see how everything fit together with the new pieces.
I think Flowertown works because of its characters. Ellie (somehow) is likable; you find yourself cheering for her even though she's gross, foul-mouthed, apathetic, and more than a little crazy. I also like the secondary characters. Rachel, her roommate and ostensibly a simple, sweet farm girl, isn't exactly what she seems, and she's not the only one that has more than what's on the surface. In hilarious contrast, Guy is practically a caricature, and from the early descriptions of him, I think that's pretty well intended.
The book is fast-paced and interesting, and for once it's nice to see a book with a promising premise that doesn't fall flat. I think I would have preferred a less open ending, but I don't feel it hurts the book too much.
P.S. It's been a while since a book actually made me gag, but holy crap the scene with Cooper is so gross that I nearly started puking.
I think Flowertown works because of its characters. Ellie (somehow) is likable; you find yourself cheering for her even though she's gross, foul-mouthed, apathetic, and more than a little crazy. I also like the secondary characters. Rachel, her roommate and ostensibly a simple, sweet farm girl, isn't exactly what she seems, and she's not the only one that has more than what's on the surface. In hilarious contrast, Guy is practically a caricature, and from the early descriptions of him, I think that's pretty well intended.
The book is fast-paced and interesting, and for once it's nice to see a book with a promising premise that doesn't fall flat. I think I would have preferred a less open ending, but I don't feel it hurts the book too much.
P.S. It's been a while since a book actually made me gag, but holy crap the scene with Cooper is so gross that I nearly started puking.
August 10, 2022
'Flowertown' was S. G. Redling's debut novel. I went looking for it after reading her Science Fiction novel, 'Damocles', an impressive First Contact story with a twist. I was surprised to find that her grimly plausible thriller 'Flowertown', was an even better novel than 'Damocles'.
'Flowetown' tells the story of the surviving residents of a small town in rural Iowa who have spent seven years in quarantine after the accidental spillage of an experimental pesticide contaminated them with a lethal and highly contagious biochemical agent. Many of the residents died. Those who survived have been undergoing experimental drug regimes to arrive not just at a cure but at something that will remove the biochemical agent from their systems so that they are no longer carriers. The lockdown is enforced by the Army. The medical regimen is run by a division of the same company that made the pesticide.
This is a quietly disturbing novel. Its plausibility makes it menacing but its strength comes not from the mechanics of the situation but from the emotions that the situation produces. It is a novel that is soaked in the despair that comes from normalising the unacceptable and recognising it as unchangeable. The atmosphere is so claustrophobic and so filled with the rage that is the only refuge against impotent hopelessness, that I had to take regular breaks as I read the story.
From the beginning, 'Flowertown' is an uncomfortable read. The main character is hard to like. She's tough but sour. She flips between despair and rage except when she's high, which is most of the time. Then something happens that makes her sober up and pay attention and you get glimpses of who she used to be and who she might have become if this hadn't happened to her. It's not that she becomes easier to like, she's aggressive, reckless and unstable, but as you understand what she's been through, you see that those are the traits that helped her to survive.
The first half of the book felt like it was contaminating me with the despair that Flowertown residents feel. As I understood how they had been treated and what they had survived, I grew angry on their behalf but I couldn't see a way out. By the second half of the book, I started to see that something new and even worse was about to happen to Flowertown and that our heroine had been set up to take the blame for it all. Often, at this point in a thriller, there would be a renewed sense of excitement as you consider how the hero will win through. In 'Flowertown', the atmosphere of hopelessness was so well developed that it seemed to me that the bad guys had to win and that the only question was how badly everyone else would lose. Then, in the last quarter of the book, the pace accelerated towards an action-packed ending filled with surprising twists on what was really going on and who was driving it.
For me, one of the most chilling things about this book was that, although it's ten years old, it feels contemporary. The plausibility of the plot was increased by having recently seen how the authorities treat the infected in a pandemic. What gave it teeth was the gaslighting and social engineering that weaponised fear and anger to drive people inside and outside of Flowertown to a specific result.
It seems to me that 'Flowertown' deserves to be one of those books that everyone talks about. I'm now recommending it to anyone who will listen.
October 10, 2012
S. G. Redling, Flowertown (Thomas and Mercer, 2012)
Full disclosure: this book was provided to me free of charge by Amazon Vine.
Life in Flowertown—a seven-and-a-half-square-mile stretch of Nowhere, Iowa, that was the victim of a toxic chemical spill seven years ago and has been the center of a scorched-earth quarantine ever since—is boring. And I mean boring. It's bad enough that the army officially looks the other way at the town's thriving pot trade. And if you happen to work for the local government... well, you start wondering if you weren't better off dying in the initial spill, as many of the town's inhabitants did.
Such is the situation in which our protagonist, Ellie Cauley, finds herself at the beginning of S. G. Redling's novel Flowertown. It's a rare day that she doesn't spend baked from the time she wakes up until the time she goes to sleep at night (it helps that her best friend is the town's main dealer). But, even through her drug-induced haze, she can see that things are rapidly getting worse—there was an accident on the access road that has stopped the supply trucks from coming in, so food is currently scarce (a situation that seems to be getting more and more frequent). Rumor has it that the army will be pulling out soon, leaving the town to fend for itself, or, worse, at the mercy of the “security” forces provided by Feno Chemical, the company responsible for the spill. Which affects Ellie more than most, since her boyfriend is one of the army guys. And still, Ellie sits in the records office day after day, shuffling papers...until the day the chemical folks decided to send a guard to watch the red-taped boxes next to Ellie's desk, boxes she never even thought about until the chemical folks got uppity. And now she's wondering: what's in them? Having gotten some bad news about her own health, Ellie thinks perhaps it's time to stir things up in Flowertown and find out what's really going on...
This book is a conspiracy theorist's dream, and I love that about it. It's ridiculous amounts of fun, and if you have to suspend some disbelief, well, look at the premise. By the time you open the book and read page one you're already suspending well above and beyond the call of duty, aren't you?
I've seen a number of reviewers complaining about the pervasive drug use in the book. Hey, guys? You're missing the point—Ellie (MINOR SPOILER AHEAD) doesn't start putting the pieces of the mystery together until she stops getting high. Might want to revisit the book's “glorifying” of drugs there. (And that should be all that needs said about that.)
Not to say it doesn't have its problems—rare is the time I will criticize a thriller for being too fast-paced, but there are a few times (mostly dealing with Ellie's visits to the medical center, which begged for more sci-fi-esque description to add to the grotesquerie) when the book would have benefitted from stopping to smell the roses. But hey, if you're a fan of breakneck pace, this sucker kicks off a few pages in and refuses to let up until the denouement a la Doug Winter or Jack Priest. It's a grand old time, with a well-plotted conspiracy and some characters you wouldn't move away from if they were sitting next to you in a bar telling this story. Well, okay, except for the whole chemical-spill-contagious-poison thing. *** ½
Full disclosure: this book was provided to me free of charge by Amazon Vine.
Life in Flowertown—a seven-and-a-half-square-mile stretch of Nowhere, Iowa, that was the victim of a toxic chemical spill seven years ago and has been the center of a scorched-earth quarantine ever since—is boring. And I mean boring. It's bad enough that the army officially looks the other way at the town's thriving pot trade. And if you happen to work for the local government... well, you start wondering if you weren't better off dying in the initial spill, as many of the town's inhabitants did.
Such is the situation in which our protagonist, Ellie Cauley, finds herself at the beginning of S. G. Redling's novel Flowertown. It's a rare day that she doesn't spend baked from the time she wakes up until the time she goes to sleep at night (it helps that her best friend is the town's main dealer). But, even through her drug-induced haze, she can see that things are rapidly getting worse—there was an accident on the access road that has stopped the supply trucks from coming in, so food is currently scarce (a situation that seems to be getting more and more frequent). Rumor has it that the army will be pulling out soon, leaving the town to fend for itself, or, worse, at the mercy of the “security” forces provided by Feno Chemical, the company responsible for the spill. Which affects Ellie more than most, since her boyfriend is one of the army guys. And still, Ellie sits in the records office day after day, shuffling papers...until the day the chemical folks decided to send a guard to watch the red-taped boxes next to Ellie's desk, boxes she never even thought about until the chemical folks got uppity. And now she's wondering: what's in them? Having gotten some bad news about her own health, Ellie thinks perhaps it's time to stir things up in Flowertown and find out what's really going on...
This book is a conspiracy theorist's dream, and I love that about it. It's ridiculous amounts of fun, and if you have to suspend some disbelief, well, look at the premise. By the time you open the book and read page one you're already suspending well above and beyond the call of duty, aren't you?
I've seen a number of reviewers complaining about the pervasive drug use in the book. Hey, guys? You're missing the point—Ellie (MINOR SPOILER AHEAD) doesn't start putting the pieces of the mystery together until she stops getting high. Might want to revisit the book's “glorifying” of drugs there. (And that should be all that needs said about that.)
Not to say it doesn't have its problems—rare is the time I will criticize a thriller for being too fast-paced, but there are a few times (mostly dealing with Ellie's visits to the medical center, which begged for more sci-fi-esque description to add to the grotesquerie) when the book would have benefitted from stopping to smell the roses. But hey, if you're a fan of breakneck pace, this sucker kicks off a few pages in and refuses to let up until the denouement a la Doug Winter or Jack Priest. It's a grand old time, with a well-plotted conspiracy and some characters you wouldn't move away from if they were sitting next to you in a bar telling this story. Well, okay, except for the whole chemical-spill-contagious-poison thing. *** ½
June 16, 2015
Uncorrected ARC/Science Fiction: Riddle me this Batman: What is worst than the US Army showing up in CDC suits and battening down the hatches? (Answer at the end of this review.)
In a small county in Iowa, a chemical spill has tainted the land. The people who have survived the spill are infected and contagious. Left in a huge interment camp called Flowertown; the people try to live their lives. There are problems. The infrastructure of Flowertown, is failing after seven years. The Bill of Rights has become nonexistent for the residence. While the people of the town understand they cannot leave, for they would infect the rest of the world, there is civil unrest. Flowertown is in third person narrative in the eyes of Ellie. Our heroine, Ellie, is a weed smoking clerical drone who got stuck in Flowertown during the spill. Her family is on the east coast and she relies on her roommate Rachel and BFF Bing for support.
I am giving this book four stars for a reason: I felt it should be a stand alone novel. It is a really good book and excellent storytelling. While it is not a cliffhanger, I did want it to end with finality not more questions and maybe more sequels. There are heroes, villains, corporate greed, betrayal, and romance, with blood, gore and guns mixed in. The editor/publisher had other plans and left it open-ended. Another problem I had was the lack of description in the book. While the cover of the book has one lonely building, the town is large. I think. I wish the author did a better job of explaining the main part of the town. By the end parts of the book, I had a different version of what the town looked like.
I do recommend it. The last quarter of the book is a real page-turner.
The answer to the riddle: When the Army picks up and leaves you at the mercy of private security.
In a small county in Iowa, a chemical spill has tainted the land. The people who have survived the spill are infected and contagious. Left in a huge interment camp called Flowertown; the people try to live their lives. There are problems. The infrastructure of Flowertown, is failing after seven years. The Bill of Rights has become nonexistent for the residence. While the people of the town understand they cannot leave, for they would infect the rest of the world, there is civil unrest. Flowertown is in third person narrative in the eyes of Ellie. Our heroine, Ellie, is a weed smoking clerical drone who got stuck in Flowertown during the spill. Her family is on the east coast and she relies on her roommate Rachel and BFF Bing for support.
I am giving this book four stars for a reason: I felt it should be a stand alone novel. It is a really good book and excellent storytelling. While it is not a cliffhanger, I did want it to end with finality not more questions and maybe more sequels. There are heroes, villains, corporate greed, betrayal, and romance, with blood, gore and guns mixed in. The editor/publisher had other plans and left it open-ended. Another problem I had was the lack of description in the book. While the cover of the book has one lonely building, the town is large. I think. I wish the author did a better job of explaining the main part of the town. By the end parts of the book, I had a different version of what the town looked like.
I do recommend it. The last quarter of the book is a real page-turner.
The answer to the riddle: When the Army picks up and leaves you at the mercy of private security.
July 20, 2012
Usually if I dislike a story's main character, that's a deal-breaker for me. I didn't like Ellie. She was (as Aussies like to say) "rough as guts". She was dirty, foul-mouthed, selfish, and an anti-hero. I couldn't relate to her.
BUT.
The concept of this story and the "world" that was created was unique enough to hold my interest. And it was interesting to see the ways that Ellie's world quickly started to fall apart (especially considering that her world is already post-apocalyptic). The beginning of the book was a little slow, but forgivable.
Ellie's boyfriend Guy initially struck me as an ass, but my opinions of him changed numerous times. I liked the "cuteness" of Rachel, whose character became more developed later in the story (though there was a part where Rachel seemed to break role and seemed unnatural). Bird struck me as a somewhat stereotypical "sidekick" character, though he held my interest a lot more once things got moving.
I did feel that the villain was a bit "Snidely Whiplash" in characterisation, late in the book.
Overall, if you don't mind lots of gross imagery depicting bodily functions and injuries, and a whole bunch of bad language, give this book a go. Especially if you're into post-apocalyptic/ conspiracy/ evil corporation stories. This is a unique book that was good fun to read, despite the shortcomings.
BUT.
The concept of this story and the "world" that was created was unique enough to hold my interest. And it was interesting to see the ways that Ellie's world quickly started to fall apart (especially considering that her world is already post-apocalyptic). The beginning of the book was a little slow, but forgivable.
Ellie's boyfriend Guy initially struck me as an ass, but my opinions of him changed numerous times. I liked the "cuteness" of Rachel, whose character became more developed later in the story (though there was a part where Rachel seemed to break role and seemed unnatural). Bird struck me as a somewhat stereotypical "sidekick" character, though he held my interest a lot more once things got moving.
I did feel that the villain was a bit "Snidely Whiplash" in characterisation, late in the book.
Overall, if you don't mind lots of gross imagery depicting bodily functions and injuries, and a whole bunch of bad language, give this book a go. Especially if you're into post-apocalyptic/ conspiracy/ evil corporation stories. This is a unique book that was good fun to read, despite the shortcomings.
September 13, 2012
What a fantastic read!!! This book is what I like to call a grower. It starts of slow with just enough to hook you and then builds to an end that leaves you breathless. Warning if you suffer from paranoia do not read this book. They just might really be after you.
August 1, 2012
I devoured this book. I loved the protagonist and her foul mouth. The twists, turns, and shocking reveals kept me interested until the last page and left me wanting for more!! Well done.
June 18, 2012
From Goodreads.com:
When Feno Chemical spilled an experimental pesticide in rural Iowa, scores of people died. Those who survived contamination were herded into a US Army medically maintained quarantine and cut off from the world. Dosed with powerful drugs to combat the poison, their bodies give off a sickly sweet smell and the containment zone becomes known simply as Flowertown.
Seven years later, the infrastructure is crumbling, supplies are dwindling, and nobody is getting clean. Ellie Cauley doesn’t care anymore. Despite her paranoid best friend’s insistence that conspiracies abound, she focuses on three things: staying high, hooking up with the Army sergeant she’s not supposed to be fraternizing with and, most importantly, trying to ignore her ever-simmering rage. But when a series of deadly events rocks the compound, Ellie suspects her friend is right—something dangerous is going down in Flowertown and all signs point to a twisted plan of greed and abuse. She and the other residents of Flowertown have been betrayed by someone with a deadly agenda and their plan is just getting started. Time is running out. With nobody to trust and nowhere to go, Ellie decides to fight with the last weapon she has—her rage.
Let me start this by saying when you read a book and you personally know and like the author, you always start out feeling that no matter how spectacular or horrible the book is, you will still love it because you want that person to succeed in the writing and reading world. Well, let’s just say SG made it easy for me to write a shining review on this book, her first by the way!
What a brilliant plot! I don’t know how it is in other areas, but where I grew up and currently live, there are several plants surrounding us and several train tracks running through the area, bringing in and taking out heavens only knows what. I have been in more shelter in place scenarios than I can count. What I love about this book, is though while I hope that nothing this drastic would ever happen, I can see it happening, especially in our area.
SG has made such a dark, depressing and sad area that you just can’t get enough of. The characters are very memorable, not necessarily all lovable and sweet and innocent like many books I have read lately, but hard and real. They have been through Hell and feel at this point, what else is there to lose. And you can’t help but want more than nothing for them to get out of that God forsaken place.
And if the plot wasn’t enough to make your jaw drop, there were twists and turns around every corner and popping their way into several chapters. You think you know the direction of the book and BAM!, you realize you took a wrong turn somewhere and SG totally catches you off guard with something new.
Now I must warn you, one thing that comes along with this book is foul language. SG was asked to read to a group of grade school children and I couldn’t help but laugh when there was a cuss word on the first page. I can only imagine the bleeping and word skipping during these readings. I would have loved to hear it.
I can only hope that SG is writing a second book to follow up to this one. It kind of left us hanging and there is so much I still want to know about Ellie and what happens to her and Flowertown.
I give Flowertown 5 out of 5 bookmarks! Everyone needs to go out and get it and support a wonderful West Virginia writer!!
When Feno Chemical spilled an experimental pesticide in rural Iowa, scores of people died. Those who survived contamination were herded into a US Army medically maintained quarantine and cut off from the world. Dosed with powerful drugs to combat the poison, their bodies give off a sickly sweet smell and the containment zone becomes known simply as Flowertown.
Seven years later, the infrastructure is crumbling, supplies are dwindling, and nobody is getting clean. Ellie Cauley doesn’t care anymore. Despite her paranoid best friend’s insistence that conspiracies abound, she focuses on three things: staying high, hooking up with the Army sergeant she’s not supposed to be fraternizing with and, most importantly, trying to ignore her ever-simmering rage. But when a series of deadly events rocks the compound, Ellie suspects her friend is right—something dangerous is going down in Flowertown and all signs point to a twisted plan of greed and abuse. She and the other residents of Flowertown have been betrayed by someone with a deadly agenda and their plan is just getting started. Time is running out. With nobody to trust and nowhere to go, Ellie decides to fight with the last weapon she has—her rage.
Let me start this by saying when you read a book and you personally know and like the author, you always start out feeling that no matter how spectacular or horrible the book is, you will still love it because you want that person to succeed in the writing and reading world. Well, let’s just say SG made it easy for me to write a shining review on this book, her first by the way!
What a brilliant plot! I don’t know how it is in other areas, but where I grew up and currently live, there are several plants surrounding us and several train tracks running through the area, bringing in and taking out heavens only knows what. I have been in more shelter in place scenarios than I can count. What I love about this book, is though while I hope that nothing this drastic would ever happen, I can see it happening, especially in our area.
SG has made such a dark, depressing and sad area that you just can’t get enough of. The characters are very memorable, not necessarily all lovable and sweet and innocent like many books I have read lately, but hard and real. They have been through Hell and feel at this point, what else is there to lose. And you can’t help but want more than nothing for them to get out of that God forsaken place.
And if the plot wasn’t enough to make your jaw drop, there were twists and turns around every corner and popping their way into several chapters. You think you know the direction of the book and BAM!, you realize you took a wrong turn somewhere and SG totally catches you off guard with something new.
Now I must warn you, one thing that comes along with this book is foul language. SG was asked to read to a group of grade school children and I couldn’t help but laugh when there was a cuss word on the first page. I can only imagine the bleeping and word skipping during these readings. I would have loved to hear it.
I can only hope that SG is writing a second book to follow up to this one. It kind of left us hanging and there is so much I still want to know about Ellie and what happens to her and Flowertown.
I give Flowertown 5 out of 5 bookmarks! Everyone needs to go out and get it and support a wonderful West Virginia writer!!
July 19, 2012
Wow - what a book! I stumbled across this by chance on goodreads and was a bit sceptical, but thought I'd give it a shot. No regrets, that's for sure! The story is set in "Flowertown" so named because of a chemical spill that causes the infected people to reek of lilies. The chemical spill also caused the town to be entirely cut-off and secluded for from the rest of the world, to prevent furhter contamination. The survivors are treated to cocktails of medication which might one day cure them or kill them.
In this fenced-in world lives Ellie with her room-mate Rachel and best friend Bing. She is angry, stoned and works a useless job. She has a boyfriend, Guy, in the military. Although he is changing from that to working for Feno, the company who caused the chemical spill and who are still working on the inside. The atmosphere is changing. The military/ Feno people are becoming more belligerent, supplies aren't getting into town. When Ellie steals a few restricted files from her office, she gets into a whole lot of trouble. Bing sees conspiracy theories everywhere, Ellie is not so sure, but she is sure something is off. Something is coming to a close, the question is why.
Some things are obvious from the beginning. "Medicine"? Right, poison more like it. At least some of it. On an unscheduled medical check-up, Ellie receives a note in secret which says "don't take the red pills". Her room-mate Rachel, who is hoping to get a de-tox so that she can visit the outside for two days, is more dead than alive. So it's obvious unethical practices are being kept up, but to what end. I must say I did not foresee who the baddest of the bad guys were.
All in all, I found this brilliant. Excellent and believable world-building, likeable and multi-dimensional characters, a well-paced story. Even really funny in places. I wish I came across this type of engrossing novel more often. The books I can hardly bear to put aside until I've read the last page are few and far between.
In this fenced-in world lives Ellie with her room-mate Rachel and best friend Bing. She is angry, stoned and works a useless job. She has a boyfriend, Guy, in the military. Although he is changing from that to working for Feno, the company who caused the chemical spill and who are still working on the inside. The atmosphere is changing. The military/ Feno people are becoming more belligerent, supplies aren't getting into town. When Ellie steals a few restricted files from her office, she gets into a whole lot of trouble. Bing sees conspiracy theories everywhere, Ellie is not so sure, but she is sure something is off. Something is coming to a close, the question is why.
Some things are obvious from the beginning. "Medicine"? Right, poison more like it. At least some of it. On an unscheduled medical check-up, Ellie receives a note in secret which says "don't take the red pills". Her room-mate Rachel, who is hoping to get a de-tox so that she can visit the outside for two days, is more dead than alive. So it's obvious unethical practices are being kept up, but to what end. I must say I did not foresee who the baddest of the bad guys were.
All in all, I found this brilliant. Excellent and believable world-building, likeable and multi-dimensional characters, a well-paced story. Even really funny in places. I wish I came across this type of engrossing novel more often. The books I can hardly bear to put aside until I've read the last page are few and far between.
March 17, 2013
I have some mixed feelings about this book. The story and world building is truly excellent. It's not really a dystopian future, or even post-apocalyptic. What we have is one small area that has had a horrific event befall it and containment has been setup. So for this one small area, it was effectively the end of the world as they knew it.
The story is compelling, interesting, and multi-layered. It leaves you wondering until the conclusion just who is telling the truth, who's lying, and who the bad guys really are. Part of that is achieved through a main character who also doesn't know what's going on, and her quest to figure it out. Part of it is bits of information you gain from others through the story.
The main thing I had an issue with was the characters. Not that they're badly written...far from it. The characterization is excellent, but I had a hard time finding sympathy for a main character who spends most of their time in a drug-induced apathetic haze. It took me most of the book to finally connect with the main character, and by the time I did she was changing, which might be why it finally happened.
This book is depressing. I suspect it's meant to be, but at the end of it I just felt...kinda sick. Like I'd put my hand in something icky and should wipe it off. I didn't feel good after reading this book. I don't think most anyone would. The world is dark and depressing, the characters feel it, and so does the reader.
The story is compelling, interesting, and multi-layered. It leaves you wondering until the conclusion just who is telling the truth, who's lying, and who the bad guys really are. Part of that is achieved through a main character who also doesn't know what's going on, and her quest to figure it out. Part of it is bits of information you gain from others through the story.
The main thing I had an issue with was the characters. Not that they're badly written...far from it. The characterization is excellent, but I had a hard time finding sympathy for a main character who spends most of their time in a drug-induced apathetic haze. It took me most of the book to finally connect with the main character, and by the time I did she was changing, which might be why it finally happened.
This book is depressing. I suspect it's meant to be, but at the end of it I just felt...kinda sick. Like I'd put my hand in something icky and should wipe it off. I didn't feel good after reading this book. I don't think most anyone would. The world is dark and depressing, the characters feel it, and so does the reader.
April 6, 2020
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Let me say this...I am NOT a fan of conspiracy theory stories. However this story is bringing me over as a fan. Well this and Gregg Hurowitz. This is a debut novel about a town under quarantine from a chemical spill, that's been this way for 6 years. The main character, Ellie, is not overly likable (which is actually points from me, I like not entirely likable characters), she's given up on life after the raw deal handed her and barely checks in on her day to day life. She spends her days, working as little as possible, getting stoned with her friend, and having sex with another soldier there to keep law and order. Soon things start happening though and she has to pay attention. Will there be a revolution, and if there is, what will happen. The action picks up quickly and makes for an interesting story. In fact I listened to the audio book at home (which I rarely do, saving it for work days) because I couldn't wait to finish it. And an excellent twist in the ending that had me going back to re-listen to the story. This also points to a really great narrator, which is equally important for a good story. Another reviewer had mentioned the open ending as a detractor. It does have an open ending on one point, and I like that. I don't believe it paves the way for a sequel but its still satisfying.
Let me say this...I am NOT a fan of conspiracy theory stories. However this story is bringing me over as a fan. Well this and Gregg Hurowitz. This is a debut novel about a town under quarantine from a chemical spill, that's been this way for 6 years. The main character, Ellie, is not overly likable (which is actually points from me, I like not entirely likable characters), she's given up on life after the raw deal handed her and barely checks in on her day to day life. She spends her days, working as little as possible, getting stoned with her friend, and having sex with another soldier there to keep law and order. Soon things start happening though and she has to pay attention. Will there be a revolution, and if there is, what will happen. The action picks up quickly and makes for an interesting story. In fact I listened to the audio book at home (which I rarely do, saving it for work days) because I couldn't wait to finish it. And an excellent twist in the ending that had me going back to re-listen to the story. This also points to a really great narrator, which is equally important for a good story. Another reviewer had mentioned the open ending as a detractor. It does have an open ending on one point, and I like that. I don't believe it paves the way for a sequel but its still satisfying.
July 15, 2012
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this conspiracy theory, quarantined society novel, but I was pleasantly surprised. I've read several books recently with unique, intriguing concepts that fell flat with weak character development and poor execution, but Flowertown hit a homerun with all three.
I'm a huge fan of quirky, eccentric characters, and this book is chock full of them. Ellie, the tough, raunchy heroine drives the novel, but the full cast of mismatched, odd characters gives the book a great balance of realism, humor, and relatability.
Flowertown is heavy with dialogue, which I usually find cumbersome and distracting in novels. However, it was executed so well in this novel it was completely readable and added to the believability of the characters.
I always appreciate a book that leaves you thinking, and this one definitely does....thinking about the characters and their life after the final page, thinking about the concept of the book, and what if it really happened, thinking about where I would fit into a society like this one.
There should be more hype around this book. It's a hidden gem!
I'm a huge fan of quirky, eccentric characters, and this book is chock full of them. Ellie, the tough, raunchy heroine drives the novel, but the full cast of mismatched, odd characters gives the book a great balance of realism, humor, and relatability.
Flowertown is heavy with dialogue, which I usually find cumbersome and distracting in novels. However, it was executed so well in this novel it was completely readable and added to the believability of the characters.
I always appreciate a book that leaves you thinking, and this one definitely does....thinking about the characters and their life after the final page, thinking about the concept of the book, and what if it really happened, thinking about where I would fit into a society like this one.
There should be more hype around this book. It's a hidden gem!
August 12, 2012
On the cover of FLOWERTOWN a toxic warning is posted on a chain-link fence: "Do Not Enter." If you crave an intense thriller with gritty and realistic characters you love, and love to hate, this book is your ticket to a modern-day hell that reminded me of Sartre's NO EXIT. The fearless and cynical heroine, Ellie Cauley, is a survivor, and the author nails the reactions and wild risk-taking of a smart woman trapped inside a containment area ironically called Flowertown. For people who live near the next Bhopal, a chemical valley, or are victims of a nuclear meltdown, this story will unnerve you, come way too close. You will suffer through each step of detox with a young woman named Rachel and can almost smell the nauseating sweet odor of Flowertown's contamination on your own body and the acrid smoke from the coveted mind-numbing marijuana. If S. G. Redling's exciting page-turning debut is any indication of her future work, I'll be patiently waiting. Or maybe, impatiently!
June 28, 2012
SHUTTER ISLAND MEETS RESIDENT EVIL?
I'm not very good with book reviews, so I'll keep it short and sweet. It was a page-turner! The writing is so great that most of the time you forget you are even reading. I couldn't put it down. Kept me on edge and paranoid as hell (and I wasn't even high). The main character is as bad-ass as you wish you could be, but still totally relatable. And the plot twisted and turned so many times, I never even guessed at the outcome until I was pretty close to the end anyway. While the ending left me wanting more, I'm hoping that only means there'll be a sequel. :)
I'm not very good with book reviews, so I'll keep it short and sweet. It was a page-turner! The writing is so great that most of the time you forget you are even reading. I couldn't put it down. Kept me on edge and paranoid as hell (and I wasn't even high). The main character is as bad-ass as you wish you could be, but still totally relatable. And the plot twisted and turned so many times, I never even guessed at the outcome until I was pretty close to the end anyway. While the ending left me wanting more, I'm hoping that only means there'll be a sequel. :)
September 1, 2012
(overall 3 1/2 stars)
Every day, loads of very toxic materials travel our highways and railroads. What would happen if one of these spilled -- and permanently poisoned an entire area with all the people in it?
This book has a strong conspiracy theory element and was a quick, easy and fast paced read but the best bit had to be the main protagonist, Ellie (she deserves a full 5 stars). She is a crass, sarcastic, violent, pot-smoking anti-hero and I loved her!
Every day, loads of very toxic materials travel our highways and railroads. What would happen if one of these spilled -- and permanently poisoned an entire area with all the people in it?
This book has a strong conspiracy theory element and was a quick, easy and fast paced read but the best bit had to be the main protagonist, Ellie (she deserves a full 5 stars). She is a crass, sarcastic, violent, pot-smoking anti-hero and I loved her!
August 22, 2012
Really liked the suspense, the psychology, the paranoia. Definitely kept my interest. Fabulous summer read! Could definitely see this as a movie... strong female lead, though so angry, but you realize the justifiability of it as time goes by.
June 24, 2012
Holy moly. I read this book in one day. Couldn't put it down. GO, Buy, read!
April 19, 2019
I might have been a little too hard on this book. I think if I was in the mood for a dystopian, it would have been close to 4 stars. When I first started, I didn't care about the story, the plot, the characters, none of it. They all could have died and I would have been ok with that. Ellie was not my favorite person. I found her "I don't give a fuck attitude" annoying. I GET her tho, I get why she doesn't give a fuck. I still didn't like her that much. Things really started to pick up towards the end. The plot twist left be GASPING. I was SHOOK. My son kept asking me what was wrong because I was in shock! I didn't see ANY of it coming. I'm keeping it at 2 stars for now. Maybe one day I will reread it when I'm in the mood and the rating may go up.
September 4, 2012
Feno Chemical spilled an experimental pesticide. Many people died and many were contaminated. A quarantined area was set up and people remained in that area for seven years, taking many different rounds of medicine to manage the side effects of the contamination, or to make them comfortable once they reached the point that they were just waiting to die. Living conditions have become atrocious and the supplies are arriving less frequently. Ellie and her best friend Bing practically live in a continuous state of marijuana high but Bing still manages to be a conspiracy nut. Something happens that finally makes Ellie believe that Bing may not be far from the truth and she begins to notice some strange things. She follows the clues and finds some very disturbing evidence about Feno Chemical's true goal.
This is not really an apocalyptic scenario. However, the conditions inside the quarantine zone make life similar to a semi-apocalyptic situation. Residents have the added psychological burden of knowing that the rest of the world is still out there, are aware of the zone's existence and seem to do little or nothing about it, including some family members.
There is a lot of cussing and pot smoking, some sex, discussion of sex and discussion of bodily functions; some parts are a little gross. So the book may not be appropriate for teens but it is basically a good mystery. There may be some discussion questions that come out of it although it seems to be aimed at entertainment rather than discussion. In addition, while I did not have this problem, I can see how some may find the beginning slow and will have a difficult time getting into the story right away. If you are one of those people, it will not be a quick read right away but I promise it does speed up. If you believe in government or big business conspiracies, or enjoy reading about them, I am confident you will love Flowertown.
4/5 stars.
This is not really an apocalyptic scenario. However, the conditions inside the quarantine zone make life similar to a semi-apocalyptic situation. Residents have the added psychological burden of knowing that the rest of the world is still out there, are aware of the zone's existence and seem to do little or nothing about it, including some family members.
There is a lot of cussing and pot smoking, some sex, discussion of sex and discussion of bodily functions; some parts are a little gross. So the book may not be appropriate for teens but it is basically a good mystery. There may be some discussion questions that come out of it although it seems to be aimed at entertainment rather than discussion. In addition, while I did not have this problem, I can see how some may find the beginning slow and will have a difficult time getting into the story right away. If you are one of those people, it will not be a quick read right away but I promise it does speed up. If you believe in government or big business conspiracies, or enjoy reading about them, I am confident you will love Flowertown.
4/5 stars.
Read
December 7, 2012When Feno Chemical spilled an experimental pesticide in rural Iowa, scores of people died. Those who survived contamination were herded into a U.S. Army medically maintained quarantine and cut off from the world. Dosed with powerful drugs to combat the poison, their bodies give off a sickly sweet smell and the containment zone becomes known simply as Flowertown.
Seven years later, the infrastructure is crumbling, supplies are dwindling, and nobody is getting clean. Ellie Cauley doesn’t care anymore. Despite her paranoid best friend's insistence that conspiracies abound, she focuses on three things: staying high, hooking up with the Army sergeant she's not supposed to be fraternizing with and, most importantly, trying to ignore her ever-simmering rage. But when a series of deadly events rocks the compound, Ellie suspects her friend is right—something dangerous is going down in Flowertown and all signs point to a twisted plan of greed and abuse. She and the other residents of Flowertown have been betrayed by someone with a deadly agenda and their plan is just getting started. Time is running out. With nobody to trust and nowhere to go, Ellie decides to fight with the last weapon she has - her rage.
I found this to be a decent read, with lots of twists and turns that kept the pages turning. One word of warning, though: It has quite a bit of profanity and sex in it, as well as graphic descriptions of various bodily functions. Given the premise of how the pesticide and the obligatory meds affect the body (including a lot of nausea) these things do fit the characters and the plot.
Seven years later, the infrastructure is crumbling, supplies are dwindling, and nobody is getting clean. Ellie Cauley doesn’t care anymore. Despite her paranoid best friend's insistence that conspiracies abound, she focuses on three things: staying high, hooking up with the Army sergeant she's not supposed to be fraternizing with and, most importantly, trying to ignore her ever-simmering rage. But when a series of deadly events rocks the compound, Ellie suspects her friend is right—something dangerous is going down in Flowertown and all signs point to a twisted plan of greed and abuse. She and the other residents of Flowertown have been betrayed by someone with a deadly agenda and their plan is just getting started. Time is running out. With nobody to trust and nowhere to go, Ellie decides to fight with the last weapon she has - her rage.
I found this to be a decent read, with lots of twists and turns that kept the pages turning. One word of warning, though: It has quite a bit of profanity and sex in it, as well as graphic descriptions of various bodily functions. Given the premise of how the pesticide and the obligatory meds affect the body (including a lot of nausea) these things do fit the characters and the plot.
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