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'50sVille #1
'50sVille
Welcome to ‘50sVille: The town you will absolutely love, or else…
Imagine a town where the people perpetually live in the 1950s, a place where time has all but stopped and where everyone loves his family, job, and life. In this strange place, only a select few people ever leave the city limits and even then, they leave reluctantly. This is what fifteen and a half year old Benjamin Granault faces as, through a string of amazing events, he finds himself living in a town where he can never talk about modern technology or current events, a place where being an outsider can cost a person his life and being part of the community may very well cost more. Follow the adventures of Benjamin Granault in ‘50sVille, the strangest town Indiana has ever been unaware of.
Imagine a town where the people perpetually live in the 1950s, a place where time has all but stopped and where everyone loves his family, job, and life. In this strange place, only a select few people ever leave the city limits and even then, they leave reluctantly. This is what fifteen and a half year old Benjamin Granault faces as, through a string of amazing events, he finds himself living in a town where he can never talk about modern technology or current events, a place where being an outsider can cost a person his life and being part of the community may very well cost more. Follow the adventures of Benjamin Granault in ‘50sVille, the strangest town Indiana has ever been unaware of.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 7, 2017
So a long time ago (October 4, 2015) I read book 3 in this series. and somehow I rediscovered it and decided to start at the beginning. The first book is a little strange it tells about the boy, Ben Granault, who joins his dad in a near by town which is trapped in the fifties. I read the first (3rd) book before I read Wayward Pines and apparently forgot it but it has elements of that series. There is something seriously wrong and somehow the Granault family is deeply involved. This first book gives us as outsiders view of the town and the background of Ben's family.
December 20, 2017
Ben has never felt more at home in a place than he does in ‘50sville, a mysterious Indiana town that seems to be cut straight from the past. He’s excited to visit for the short time a year he can, to visit his friends and his potential girlfriend. When his father gets into a fatal accident, however, his world is changing. He must become a resident of the strange town and only then does he realize how strange it is.
Worldbuilding is absolutely fantastic in this story. While there was the initial conflict of Ben’s dad’s death and his having to move into a new house, I felt as if the story was really unresolved. I see that it’s part of a series so I’ll definitely be reading on to see where the story goes from here.
Worldbuilding is absolutely fantastic in this story. While there was the initial conflict of Ben’s dad’s death and his having to move into a new house, I felt as if the story was really unresolved. I see that it’s part of a series so I’ll definitely be reading on to see where the story goes from here.
February 1, 2018
What if you happened upon a town where it was perpetually the 1950's? I greatly enjoyed reading this book. Benjamin Granault, a 15-year-old youngster, finds himself in just the place. In this little town, everyone seems to be happy (maybe a little too happy?), they all love their jobs, families get along, and it's like one long episode of Father Knows Best. A modern boy, he is warned never to mention modern technology or medical advances. Only a few select individuals are ever allowed to leave the town. Everything may not be as it seems.
June 16, 2019
‘50sVille by Dr. Paul Ibbetson is an audiobook or Kindle mobi file in five volumes. Each volume has approximately two hours and ten minutes of listening content or, in print, under 70 pages. It fits into genres mystery, fantasy, time travel, and, most importantly, nostalgia. One could think of the entire series as a cozy mystery in that there is no foul language, sexual language, or violence. There are high school fights between gangs but without weapons involved. I don’t count that as violence. There is kissing, but all parties keep their tongues in their own mouths, so minimal sex. This review looks only at Volume One. The content becomes increasingly complicated for each volume through Volume Four.
Benjamin Granault is from a wealthy family if one counts a family as father and son only. Mom died in childbirth. Ben was not happy in his relationship with his father because the two rarely met. Franklin Granault ran a hugely successful sprawling multi-faceted company and was on the road all the time. Ben had to be content with living in the family mansion where he was attended to by a staff of five except for two weeks per year.
For two weeks, Ben and his father attended an Oldies Day Festival in Verndale, Indiana. For the days of the festival, the sign for the city name would be replaced by a new one with the name ‘50sVille. Ben and his dad had attended the festival together for six years. The only time Ben talked with his father was on the trip to and from the first and last festival day. When they arrived, Franklin said goodbye to his son until the last day of the festival. Franklin was there to work; Ben was on his own. Company staff would transport Ben to and from the festival up to the last day when he would rejoin his father. There were only a few rules which Franklin thought he had to emphasize to his son.
‘50sVille was like a county fair with many things to do from noon until 7:00 PM. Ben had to report every evening to the welcome center by 7:00 PM. This first rule was strictly upheld. The second strict area of regulations was all-encompassing and related to conduct and dress. Ben was not allowed to bring any electronic items that were not present in the1950s into the town on festival days. That meant nothing more than a watch. No cell phones. No computers. No kindles. As far as dress, Ben had to wear plain T-shirts, no logos, no band names. When speaking with town residents, Ben was not allowed to talk of current events, technological advances, political news or anything that had not appeared or would not have been known to people who lived in the 1950s. This last was the most difficult because Ben developed friendships.
Just as Ben could not talk of current events, thus giving information to residents of Verndale; he was advised not to ask questions that might be embarrassing or impossible to answer. Why were there only two or three haircut styles for all males? Why were there no cars in the town later than those from the 50s? Ben and his father arrived for the festivities in a 2013 Ford truck, but it was parked in an individual parking lot outside of town not accessible to town residents.
For Festival Day ceremonies, all Verndale residents wore clothes from the 1950s. Food and drink were from the 1950s, something that Ben liked a lot as he drank specialties from one of the local malt shops. Ben made friends, a group known as the “Clankers,” a name that Ben came to know indicated the members were social outcasts at their school. Ben was not there for school, and he became close friends with a group of four. His favorite was Cathy, the only girl in the group. Over six years she became more and more his favorite, especially after their first kisses. The group was able to explain some of their slang to Ben, all of it from the 1950s. “Daddy-O” was widely used. Ben even came to enjoy the music of the 50s, although he did not fully appreciate why Elvis was “the King.” Ben would like to spend more time in Verndale other than the two weeks, but that was not allowed. He would like to be able to see Cathy for more than two weeks, but that was not allowed. He wanted to phone Cathy at times when he was not in Verndale but … (you get the idea.).
Changes were coming. Each time Ben returned with his father from the festivities, his father seemed more tired and looked older. Franklin worked too much. Then there was the accident in Verndale during the celebrations. The family lawyer woke Ben to inform him of the seriousness of the accident and tried to prepare Ben for the inevitable. Ben was able to talk briefly with his father before Franklin died. Then life became very serious very fast for Benjamin Granault. He was too young to take over the company. There were many secrets, some involving Verndale, that could not be revealed; the fates of Verndale and the family company were linked.
Joshua Canterbury, the family and company lawyer, gave Ben a choice. He could go to live in Verndale with a family who would take care of him and treat him as one of their own until he was old enough to assume responsibility in the company or he could receive a one-time financial settlement and be banned from all further contacts with the company and Verndale. If he chose Verndale, he was forbidden all contact with the outside world until he was ready and old enough for company responsibilities. It was a requirement that Ben fit into Verndale and act at all times in a way to not upset a community that lived in a ‘50s culture. He must learn to speak their language, wear their clothes, go to their schools, and, always, not upset anyone. Ben had to make a choice immediately; he had one hour to choose.
Canterbury gave Ben a mobile phone which could only dial one number, Canterbury’s. It was only good for one call and was to be used in an emergency. If Ben used it, an extraction team would arrive in Verndale to “rescue” Ben, but he would then be sent out of the country, and all connections between Ben, Verndale, and his family’s company would be terminated. There were hints of a darker negative outcome for Ben should he make the one-time call.
Ben decided to join an adoptive family in Verndale. The adoption is at approximately the 50% point of the Kindle Volume One and the audiobook. The rest of Volume One is rich in detail about the daily lives of the 1950s residents of Verndale when no festival was going on. Did they abandon their Festival Days behavior? (Nope) Ben will enter Verndale and live with an adopted family, the Goode family. Just so readers don’t get lost in a haze of nostalgia, there are hints of very dark happenings near the end of Volume One. Dark possibilities are why there are Volumes Two, Three, Four, and Five.
This novel displays a remarkable exercise in world building. It is a world baby-boomers know well, so this read, or listen is a warm nostalgic wallow for those who believe everything was better in the “old days.” (Spoiler= No, it wasn’t). I couldn’t stop with only Volume One. The short reads are page-turners or whatever the equivalent is in an audiobook. I gave all of them five Amazon stars and will review the other volumes later. I highly recommend all of them in whichever format enjoyed.
Benjamin Granault is from a wealthy family if one counts a family as father and son only. Mom died in childbirth. Ben was not happy in his relationship with his father because the two rarely met. Franklin Granault ran a hugely successful sprawling multi-faceted company and was on the road all the time. Ben had to be content with living in the family mansion where he was attended to by a staff of five except for two weeks per year.
For two weeks, Ben and his father attended an Oldies Day Festival in Verndale, Indiana. For the days of the festival, the sign for the city name would be replaced by a new one with the name ‘50sVille. Ben and his dad had attended the festival together for six years. The only time Ben talked with his father was on the trip to and from the first and last festival day. When they arrived, Franklin said goodbye to his son until the last day of the festival. Franklin was there to work; Ben was on his own. Company staff would transport Ben to and from the festival up to the last day when he would rejoin his father. There were only a few rules which Franklin thought he had to emphasize to his son.
‘50sVille was like a county fair with many things to do from noon until 7:00 PM. Ben had to report every evening to the welcome center by 7:00 PM. This first rule was strictly upheld. The second strict area of regulations was all-encompassing and related to conduct and dress. Ben was not allowed to bring any electronic items that were not present in the1950s into the town on festival days. That meant nothing more than a watch. No cell phones. No computers. No kindles. As far as dress, Ben had to wear plain T-shirts, no logos, no band names. When speaking with town residents, Ben was not allowed to talk of current events, technological advances, political news or anything that had not appeared or would not have been known to people who lived in the 1950s. This last was the most difficult because Ben developed friendships.
Just as Ben could not talk of current events, thus giving information to residents of Verndale; he was advised not to ask questions that might be embarrassing or impossible to answer. Why were there only two or three haircut styles for all males? Why were there no cars in the town later than those from the 50s? Ben and his father arrived for the festivities in a 2013 Ford truck, but it was parked in an individual parking lot outside of town not accessible to town residents.
For Festival Day ceremonies, all Verndale residents wore clothes from the 1950s. Food and drink were from the 1950s, something that Ben liked a lot as he drank specialties from one of the local malt shops. Ben made friends, a group known as the “Clankers,” a name that Ben came to know indicated the members were social outcasts at their school. Ben was not there for school, and he became close friends with a group of four. His favorite was Cathy, the only girl in the group. Over six years she became more and more his favorite, especially after their first kisses. The group was able to explain some of their slang to Ben, all of it from the 1950s. “Daddy-O” was widely used. Ben even came to enjoy the music of the 50s, although he did not fully appreciate why Elvis was “the King.” Ben would like to spend more time in Verndale other than the two weeks, but that was not allowed. He would like to be able to see Cathy for more than two weeks, but that was not allowed. He wanted to phone Cathy at times when he was not in Verndale but … (you get the idea.).
Changes were coming. Each time Ben returned with his father from the festivities, his father seemed more tired and looked older. Franklin worked too much. Then there was the accident in Verndale during the celebrations. The family lawyer woke Ben to inform him of the seriousness of the accident and tried to prepare Ben for the inevitable. Ben was able to talk briefly with his father before Franklin died. Then life became very serious very fast for Benjamin Granault. He was too young to take over the company. There were many secrets, some involving Verndale, that could not be revealed; the fates of Verndale and the family company were linked.
Joshua Canterbury, the family and company lawyer, gave Ben a choice. He could go to live in Verndale with a family who would take care of him and treat him as one of their own until he was old enough to assume responsibility in the company or he could receive a one-time financial settlement and be banned from all further contacts with the company and Verndale. If he chose Verndale, he was forbidden all contact with the outside world until he was ready and old enough for company responsibilities. It was a requirement that Ben fit into Verndale and act at all times in a way to not upset a community that lived in a ‘50s culture. He must learn to speak their language, wear their clothes, go to their schools, and, always, not upset anyone. Ben had to make a choice immediately; he had one hour to choose.
Canterbury gave Ben a mobile phone which could only dial one number, Canterbury’s. It was only good for one call and was to be used in an emergency. If Ben used it, an extraction team would arrive in Verndale to “rescue” Ben, but he would then be sent out of the country, and all connections between Ben, Verndale, and his family’s company would be terminated. There were hints of a darker negative outcome for Ben should he make the one-time call.
Ben decided to join an adoptive family in Verndale. The adoption is at approximately the 50% point of the Kindle Volume One and the audiobook. The rest of Volume One is rich in detail about the daily lives of the 1950s residents of Verndale when no festival was going on. Did they abandon their Festival Days behavior? (Nope) Ben will enter Verndale and live with an adopted family, the Goode family. Just so readers don’t get lost in a haze of nostalgia, there are hints of very dark happenings near the end of Volume One. Dark possibilities are why there are Volumes Two, Three, Four, and Five.
This novel displays a remarkable exercise in world building. It is a world baby-boomers know well, so this read, or listen is a warm nostalgic wallow for those who believe everything was better in the “old days.” (Spoiler= No, it wasn’t). I couldn’t stop with only Volume One. The short reads are page-turners or whatever the equivalent is in an audiobook. I gave all of them five Amazon stars and will review the other volumes later. I highly recommend all of them in whichever format enjoyed.
September 21, 2020
Blast from the past
Benjamin and hia hard working father are on their way to Oldies Days. Ben finds and makes new friends and is overwhelmed at the thought of having a new girlfriend. But things seem different in the toqn of Verndale. Everything is a flashback of 50's memerobilia and the people are precise with the theme. But when the event of 2 weeks is over and Ben and his father return home, Ben feels rewarded with luxury of the modern day life such as a livein maid and cook. Things take a devastating toll on Ben whwn he finds out that while his father is away back at Verndale for a job, his father is hurt and requests that he go there immediately. When the driver delivers Ben to his dying father he is shocked to hear that his life is about to change. Ben is about to live in the replica Verndale until he turns 18. Shocked, Ben tells his father goodbye and as his heart breaks for his hard working father, the town adores him and the family name for all the work they have done there iver the years and is sincere to the facts that everyone wear a cinnamon acents brown and gold jeweled necklace in rememberance. Ben is adopted into a new faily, the Goodes and they are more than orecise with their daily rituals and timing routines. The only odd part is that in order to live with the Goodes and the town of Verndale you have to live the part. So Ben is set off on an adventure with his new adopted father on a day out on the town. Ben learns about his job at the automotive shop and gets a nice haircut and learns of a few secrets about the town and how hard the people qork and how their dedication to it pays off. But there is a mystery, how does time work in this town amd how is everything so perfectly organized? Why are outsiders not allowed to enter the town and if they are caught what are the consequences? Ben is baffled at his new world and family but his one mission still remains, to find his Oldie Days friends, the Clankers and hope that nothing remotely bad hapoens to the point wbere he has to find the secret hidden cellphone that the lawyers warned him about after his dad died. But he needs to be reminded and kept safe that even though this life may only be temporary tbere is his modern world just outside the city limits but how long before someone or something breaks the rules and the secret town is discovered? This is definitely a 4 star read and a great book for young adults. I loved the characters of the book and the story line but I am itching to find out how Ben accepts his new role in Verndale and if he finds his friends. How does his tine there work? What other secret passageways are there that the town he seldom visits unfolds? With lots of queations remaining, I guess a second book is going to have to be worth reading to find out.
Benjamin and hia hard working father are on their way to Oldies Days. Ben finds and makes new friends and is overwhelmed at the thought of having a new girlfriend. But things seem different in the toqn of Verndale. Everything is a flashback of 50's memerobilia and the people are precise with the theme. But when the event of 2 weeks is over and Ben and his father return home, Ben feels rewarded with luxury of the modern day life such as a livein maid and cook. Things take a devastating toll on Ben whwn he finds out that while his father is away back at Verndale for a job, his father is hurt and requests that he go there immediately. When the driver delivers Ben to his dying father he is shocked to hear that his life is about to change. Ben is about to live in the replica Verndale until he turns 18. Shocked, Ben tells his father goodbye and as his heart breaks for his hard working father, the town adores him and the family name for all the work they have done there iver the years and is sincere to the facts that everyone wear a cinnamon acents brown and gold jeweled necklace in rememberance. Ben is adopted into a new faily, the Goodes and they are more than orecise with their daily rituals and timing routines. The only odd part is that in order to live with the Goodes and the town of Verndale you have to live the part. So Ben is set off on an adventure with his new adopted father on a day out on the town. Ben learns about his job at the automotive shop and gets a nice haircut and learns of a few secrets about the town and how hard the people qork and how their dedication to it pays off. But there is a mystery, how does time work in this town amd how is everything so perfectly organized? Why are outsiders not allowed to enter the town and if they are caught what are the consequences? Ben is baffled at his new world and family but his one mission still remains, to find his Oldie Days friends, the Clankers and hope that nothing remotely bad hapoens to the point wbere he has to find the secret hidden cellphone that the lawyers warned him about after his dad died. But he needs to be reminded and kept safe that even though this life may only be temporary tbere is his modern world just outside the city limits but how long before someone or something breaks the rules and the secret town is discovered? This is definitely a 4 star read and a great book for young adults. I loved the characters of the book and the story line but I am itching to find out how Ben accepts his new role in Verndale and if he finds his friends. How does his tine there work? What other secret passageways are there that the town he seldom visits unfolds? With lots of queations remaining, I guess a second book is going to have to be worth reading to find out.
July 3, 2021
When Bens father dies he is sent to live in a town that seems to be perpetually stuck In the 1950's where he cannot mention the internet, mobile phones or modern conveniences. What starts out as quaint and a little weird gradually as the story unfolds becomes increasing if subtlety darker in tone This is the first in a series and a lot of the book is made up of setting the scene which makes for a gentle pace until the end and there are lots of things left unexplained. I am hooked on this story already, I like the authentic 1950's atmosphere and that the tone is getting more sinister. Narration is very good if slightly flat in parts but still very easy to listen to. I will be reading more in this series. I received a complimentary copy from the author and am leaving a honest voluntary review
November 17, 2020
First, it not what I expected the total opposite story of a town stuck in time - the 50's and a family from the present who is tied to this town and had been for many generations but what is this that holds them together. Now this book just give you enough informations to make you keep going on with series.
This town ever year does what is called 50's town celebration and everyone wears, act and drive vehicles from the 50's to entertain visitors for a period of 2 weeks. When the tourists are gone nothings changes except for the area around the town goes into total lock down and anyone wondering in may never leave.
The story is a bit dry in this book but book two gets much better and you start to learn the secrets of this town which is mostly bad.
This town ever year does what is called 50's town celebration and everyone wears, act and drive vehicles from the 50's to entertain visitors for a period of 2 weeks. When the tourists are gone nothings changes except for the area around the town goes into total lock down and anyone wondering in may never leave.
The story is a bit dry in this book but book two gets much better and you start to learn the secrets of this town which is mostly bad.
August 23, 2018
Okay. I would have given this book more stars but there were many issues. The main character is supposedly 15 but acts & speaks like an 11-year-old. There was a bit of bad grammar. There was several instances where the writer used the wrong word (such as "access" when he clearly should've used "assess"). And the writer kept using "shook his head" when "nodded his head" was intended (who shakes their head yes??). And, personal affront, the author used "Dr." In front of his name. Sure, he earned a doctorate but his writing is about a 6th grade level. Who (if anyone) edited this book?? So, good idea for a book, but bad execution.
July 4, 2019
A very strange book. Ben is from a well-to-do family and attends a separate school from what the kids do in the town he's near. He makes friends with them but only sees them once a year during the Olden Days festival. It seems they are hiding some kind of dark secret from him.
Things go really wrong when his father dies in a supposed accident and, with his mother gone, he now gets taken in by some family from the town. It's then that things get really strange with a necklace thing he's supposed to wear, odd exact eating times, cars from the '50s being made, no TV, no computers or other electronic devices and some kind of secret underlying all of this.
Very interesting.
Things go really wrong when his father dies in a supposed accident and, with his mother gone, he now gets taken in by some family from the town. It's then that things get really strange with a necklace thing he's supposed to wear, odd exact eating times, cars from the '50s being made, no TV, no computers or other electronic devices and some kind of secret underlying all of this.
Very interesting.
August 30, 2017
Interesting story, although it looks like readers are going to have to grab the full story in several installments. The mystery begins with Ben Granault as he steps into Verndale and 50's ville. The town is a bit different than what many are used to,Head back into time with Ben and the people of the town. A place Ben may be spending a lot of time after his dad dies and Ben is sent to stay. The story goes along at a steady pace and I have a feeling the next installments will be taking readers on a supernatural journey back into time..
September 5, 2019
I stumbled across this book for free, and I'm pretty sure it was labeled horror. Even though I didn't find the book to be scary or horrorific (yet?), It is definitely interesting. It's just the beginning of a series, and I get it that first books of series are more like meet and greet the characters with a slow build up of what's to come.
Anyways, a young boy is forced to live in a town stuck in the 50's decade after his father dies. I have a feeling that family secrets will eventually be uncovered... And explain why the town is dated
Anyways, a young boy is forced to live in a town stuck in the 50's decade after his father dies. I have a feeling that family secrets will eventually be uncovered... And explain why the town is dated
September 24, 2021
The story itself was very charming, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was drawn into the mystery. However, the writing style is... not great, and desperately in need of an editor. The ending was very abrupt as well and didn't feel like a proper resolution to a book - the story is serialized, and as such this feels more like the first chapter than the first volume. Honestly, this would work well as the pilot episode of a TV show. I may pick the story up again with the next part some time in the future, but as it is it definitely isn't a priority on my to-read list by a long shot.
July 20, 2019
This series definitely got my attention. I think I'm gonna love it; I do so far, anyway. I love music, culture, etc. from this era, so this really appeals to me. So far the descriptions are vivid and do a great job of placing the reader back in time almost 70 years.
The audio quality is good and easy to understand/follow.
I received this audiobook from the narrator/author/publisher in exchange for an honest review via Audiobook Boom.
The audio quality is good and easy to understand/follow.
I received this audiobook from the narrator/author/publisher in exchange for an honest review via Audiobook Boom.
September 28, 2019
Audible:Ben loved every year when the town blocked off the main street and everything 1950's took over.Every year he would pick up with friends at the same place he left off the last year.When he questioned this,he was told to not question things.Under bad circumstances he gets to live his life in 50'sVille.It isn't all it seems to be. Dave Wright was a fine narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
May 11, 2018
So far in this book, it is well written and keeps the reader captivated. Once you start reading it is hard to put it down or turn off the screen. With the early on strangeness, accidental neglect, and tragedy all mixed in with the fun characters it is a bit confusing. I will make sure to update soon!
November 24, 2021
Interminable and Pointless
2 out of 10
This book is made up of soul crushing dull blocks of pointless exposition. The tiny amount of story available is trite and clichéd. It goes no where. It doesn't even end on a cliff-hanger as the author isn't capable of creating a cliff-hanger. Nothing is done well here. Avoid.
2 out of 10
This book is made up of soul crushing dull blocks of pointless exposition. The tiny amount of story available is trite and clichéd. It goes no where. It doesn't even end on a cliff-hanger as the author isn't capable of creating a cliff-hanger. Nothing is done well here. Avoid.
July 23, 2018
'50sVille #1 by Paul Ibbetson was unique indeed. It's something like the old tv shows that were like chapters in a book and you had to wait until the next week to get the next chapter.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers
Lynn
Keep up the good work.
Cheers
Lynn
December 2, 2018
My first read from Dr. Paul Ibbetson. I got this book back in July of 2017 and never got around to reading it until now that I was given an Audible copy of '50's ville #2 and wanted to read the first book first. An enjoyable short read that captivated my attention.
May 31, 2020
It's a SERIES
Somewhat intriguing, but something began to nag at me a out 70% through: "Cliffhanger!".Sure enough, without warning I was Cliff-hanged. Halfway between Pleasantville and John Galt's Gulch, there is 50sville. This is the first book of a Sold Separately Series.
Somewhat intriguing, but something began to nag at me a out 70% through: "Cliffhanger!".Sure enough, without warning I was Cliff-hanged. Halfway between Pleasantville and John Galt's Gulch, there is 50sville. This is the first book of a Sold Separately Series.
January 6, 2019
Very interesting story. Just started to really build up as it ended. Will dedinitely be looking out for the next in the series.
August 4, 2019
I truly loved this story. It drew me in and I spent part of the read trying to figure it out. I didn’t, which didn’t bother me. Will make me read rest of the series faster.
August 15, 2019
Very good read
Super promising and well written..thoughtful..and nostalgic..i was pleasantly surprised!! this book really kept my attention i cant wait to read more!!
Super promising and well written..thoughtful..and nostalgic..i was pleasantly surprised!! this book really kept my attention i cant wait to read more!!
October 23, 2019
This was a good read reminds me of waywards pines good characters nice world building like the Narrator good story pacing will have to check out some of the other volumes to see where things go.
November 15, 2019
Fun read!
I will be trying out part two to see how it wraps everything up. I enjoyed the first half of the book.
I will be trying out part two to see how it wraps everything up. I enjoyed the first half of the book.
September 23, 2020
Really?
Not a fan. Should have indicated in the synopsis that this was a serial style book. Be sure not to read anymore.
Not a fan. Should have indicated in the synopsis that this was a serial style book. Be sure not to read anymore.
September 30, 2019
wow, I loved this who wouldn't want to live in the 50's when things were simply "better." I'm positive this town has more going on then it seems, on the surface it seems perfect but nothing is perfect. I received this aduiobook and voluntarily choose to reveiw.
September 4, 2015
Being a Granault is no easy task; as Ben can readily attest to. In all honesty Ben grew up with all the luxury and material complements of someone born of his class. He lived in a large colonial mansion; surrounded by servants that saw to his every need. His mother died shortly after his birth and his father was too busy running his construction business to have much one on one time with his only son. Although he did reasonably well at school academically, socially was another matter. Finding himself somewhere between groups, he spent his life in a solitary limbo, with the only break being the annual two week 50’s festival in the nearby town of Verndale.
In Verndale life seems to have stopped and remained in that post-war time of history when the United States was enjoying its new status as a world power and life was good. With large shinny, gas-guzzling cars, full service gas stations, rock and roll and record low unemployment, this would seem to be the ideal decade to stop and stay at. On Ben’s yearly visits to Verndale he managed to actually make friends with some of the youthful inhabitants and even experienced his first kiss. When Ben’s father suddenly dies and he takes up residence in Verndale with the Goode family, cracks and subtle inconsistencies begin to appear, suddenly tainting this paradise of the past.
This story raises long ago memories of TV shows like “Father Knows Best” and a little more recent “Happy Days” where wholesome and innocent weren’t just merely words but a way of life. The colourful jargon like cool, neat and daddy-o add to the illusion of this place where time seems to have stood still.
This short and easy to read story is part of a series; much like the film serials I watched as a child before the main feature at my local movie theatre. I think this introduction volume is worthy of a four-star rating and only hope that the rest are just as good. I find it refreshing to read a story where family values and innocence are the rule rather than the exception; even if a sinister and ominous shadow lurks in the dark.
In Verndale life seems to have stopped and remained in that post-war time of history when the United States was enjoying its new status as a world power and life was good. With large shinny, gas-guzzling cars, full service gas stations, rock and roll and record low unemployment, this would seem to be the ideal decade to stop and stay at. On Ben’s yearly visits to Verndale he managed to actually make friends with some of the youthful inhabitants and even experienced his first kiss. When Ben’s father suddenly dies and he takes up residence in Verndale with the Goode family, cracks and subtle inconsistencies begin to appear, suddenly tainting this paradise of the past.
This story raises long ago memories of TV shows like “Father Knows Best” and a little more recent “Happy Days” where wholesome and innocent weren’t just merely words but a way of life. The colourful jargon like cool, neat and daddy-o add to the illusion of this place where time seems to have stood still.
This short and easy to read story is part of a series; much like the film serials I watched as a child before the main feature at my local movie theatre. I think this introduction volume is worthy of a four-star rating and only hope that the rest are just as good. I find it refreshing to read a story where family values and innocence are the rule rather than the exception; even if a sinister and ominous shadow lurks in the dark.
July 11, 2016
This story is only 67 pages! It’s set in current time about a boy, Ben, who visits once a year to a town with a 1950’s festival. But is it only that one week a year that the town lives in the 50’s? Something sinister is going on… I can’t say much more, given the length of the story. This reads like an episode of Twilight Zone or Are you Afraid of the Dark, but it’s only the first installment of many. Unfortunately, each part costs maybe more money than it’s worth. By the time you finally buy enough parts of the story to get to a regular sized book, you’ve spent ten times what you would have normally, and all you have for it is some e-read options. If I can find these for free, I’ll continue, but it’s not worth the price. The story itself is interesting, but the writing style feels like it was written by someone very young; it doesn’t flow.
March 21, 2015
Cool premise suffers from poor grammar
I love the premise of this series. A town stuck in time has so many possibilities and the author seems capable of exploring them.
Unfortunately, the good character development and story are marred by poor grammar and misused words and phrases -- some of which are repeated several times. Overlook issues like having your interest "peeked," and "your" in for a good read.
I love the premise of this series. A town stuck in time has so many possibilities and the author seems capable of exploring them.
Unfortunately, the good character development and story are marred by poor grammar and misused words and phrases -- some of which are repeated several times. Overlook issues like having your interest "peeked," and "your" in for a good read.
March 10, 2015
Very interesting premise, and a good start to the story. But I can't see myself continuing it as $3.99 for 79 pages at a time could get pretty expensive. If the entire serial was released as one novel? Yes, I'd pay that for it. But I don't like it enough to spend $15-20 on the story.
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