There Should Have Been Castles

by Herman Raucher

"[S]lick, smart, raunchy entertainment." ―KIRKUS

Ben is the writer who can’t seem to make it; Ginnie is the dancer who can't seem to miss. In 1951 they are two scared kids in love–determined to hold onto each other no matter what. Together the world is theirs for the asking.

In the exhilarating landscape of 1950’s show biz, from the neon glamour of the New York stage to the starry glitter of Hollywood, they have love and success―pure, intense, and perfect. It should go on forever, fueled by enough romance and passion for all the record books and fairytales that ever were. But can their love prevail or will it all come tumbling down due to an unexpected twist neither of them could have foreseen?

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, American

431 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 1978

About the author

Ebooks now available for download. Print-on-demand to follow soon. See author website for links and updates at www.hermanraucher.com

Herman Raucher began his writing career during The Golden Age of Live Television, penning original one hour dramas for such esteemed shows as Studio One, Goodyear Playhouse and The Alcoa Hour. At about the same time, he was serving as Advertising Copy Director for Walt Disney whose new company, Buena Vista, was venturing from animated films into live action productions. It was also the time of the debut of Disneyland and all the excitement that came with it.

Back in New York he served as Creative Director and Board Member of several major ad agencies. To further fill out his life he turned his pen to writing four plays, six novels and seven films, among them being “Summer of '42” which was both a best-selling novel and a box office success. It earned him an Academy Award Nomination for Best Original Screenplay as well as a similar nomination from The Writers Guild of America. Raucher’s cult film, “Hieronymus Merkin,”won the Best Original Screenplay award from The Writers Guild of Great Britain. His racially charged movie, “Watermelon Man,”shook up the film critics no small end.

He still feels most at home with novels, in that no one can change as much as a comma without his approval—a condition that every writer savors but very few achieve.

Reviews

[Savannah Frey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written, and makes good use of the dual-perspective of both main characters. Plus, this amazing story is actually Raucher's biography, tidied up to make it work as a novel! This book is fantastic!!!

[Glenn Pawl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first came across this book in 1981, and it became my all time favorite. Nearly thirty years later it's still in the top spot. I reread it every couple of years - it's a great summer / vacation novel.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you encounter a book that you adore enough to reread every few years, and then discover a bunch of people who do, I think it's worth recommending! A wonderfully written slice of mid-century NYC wrapped around a terrific love story.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of my perennail favorites for over 30 years. I read every 5 years or so. Makes me laugh - makes me cry...just love this book!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot longer and more sexually explicit than Raucher’s classic Summer of 42, but no less heartfelt. The story revolves around Ben, a writer for a movie PR department who gets drafted into the Korean War; and Ginny, the dancer who moves in with his roommate to help make the rent while he’s away. They start corresponding by mail and fall in love. When he comes home, they meet in person at last, and begin a relationship of ecstatic bliss - until the ultimate bizarre love triangle (well, more like lust on one corner) threatens to tear them apart. Beautifully drawn, three-dimensional characters (I like how Ginny is a spitfire with a sarcastic sense of humor and less than pristine language, rather than a paragon of perfection) and a real sense of what New York was like in the ‘50s. Knocking off one star for some unflattering portrayals of LGBT characters - they can only be approached as products of the time when the story takes place (and when the book was written).

[Jazzy Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of Herman Raucher. This book alludes to another chapter in his life, but it all seems a bit fanciful. Maybe you have to be in love to truly appreciate it, and I most definitely am not. Ah, but there were some brilliant and well written lines.

[J.S. Kitololo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a great book. Obviously autobiographical, a window into life in late '40s-early '50s New York. Has raunchy bits almost reminiscent of Miller's Tropic of Capricorn! Worth a read?
Yes, on several levels!

[Barbara Fraley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ben struggles to find his place in new york city, aplace you can get lost and no one cares. ginnie is an underage heiress,who lies about her age, who runs away and also takes on new york city. she is a success almost instantly. how do they meet? why do different people appear in the apartment unannounced? does ben find the same success? can he and ginnie find each other? you'll have to read through the humor, sarcasm, cynical and well written pages.

[Nutsa Nazgaidze · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sweetness <3 maybe my favorite book for now

[Bill Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry but lost interest quickly

[Fatman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did not age well. Apart from that, witty and spirited, but there's too much text for the amount of story.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read ...1950s nostalgia channeled through late 1970s hyper-sexuality. I enjoyed every minute..

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I absolutely adored this book. It's a long adventure from start to finish but it's absolute perfection. I love a story told from more than one perspective and this was no exception. It's a love story, sure, but with so much life behind it. It's so vivid. I felt completely immersed in what was happening as if I was a background actor in the reel playing inside my head. The two main characters could not be more different but they make sense together and you can't help but root for them. I have recommended this book to family members and they shared my opinions. This book is spectacular.

[Nicole M Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book. Looooooong read.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

favorite book from high school

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good friend lent me this book and she is right. It is very good, and it really reminds me of the 70s! I think things have changed since then, for all of us!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time favorite!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book. I have read this one over and over.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love story.

[Scotty 08 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, one of my fave