What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wire Recorder
Free love. The Vietnam War. Women’s Lib. In the 1960s, in an America still emerging from the paranoia of the McCarthy era, these issues made regular headlines. For Sophie Hearn and Steve Elwood it was all part of growing up.
The Wire Recorder is a love story that chronicles the coming-of-age of two baby boomers and childhood playmates, manic-depressive Sophie and quirky, awkward Steve, who part, reunite, and part again across the decades of the mid-to-late twentieth century. As they grow into adulthood, separately and together, they both affect and are affected by the events of those turbulent times. But through it all, ever-lurking in the background, is the specter of the formative event of Sophie’s early years: her father’s refusal to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee and subsequent blacklisting from his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. But even Sophie doesn’t know the whole story, and the truth may change her forever.
At heart The Wire Recorder is a story about injustice, and the courage it takes to stand up for what’s right.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2017
3 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Thomas A. Levitt
1 book2 followersTom Levitt was not quite five years old in September of 1951—the height of the McCarthy red scare—when his parents both appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee. As a result, Tom grew up in the shadow of the infamous Hollywood blacklist.
Tom caught the writing bug early on from his parents, who encouraged his writing but were tough mentors. Aware of the odds against making a living writing, Tom initially took up teaching as a “day job,” but it turned into a rewarding 33-year career as he taught elementary, middle, junior high and high school in some of Los Angeles’ toughest neighborhoods. After retiring in 2008, he began working seriously on the novel he’d conceived decades earlier based loosely on his and his parents’ experiences before, during and after the blacklist, and into which he was now able to incorporate his teaching experiences as well. In the summer of 2017, at age 70, Tom finally completed his historical romance, The Wire Recorder.
Tom caught the writing bug early on from his parents, who encouraged his writing but were tough mentors. Aware of the odds against making a living writing, Tom initially took up teaching as a “day job,” but it turned into a rewarding 33-year career as he taught elementary, middle, junior high and high school in some of Los Angeles’ toughest neighborhoods. After retiring in 2008, he began working seriously on the novel he’d conceived decades earlier based loosely on his and his parents’ experiences before, during and after the blacklist, and into which he was now able to incorporate his teaching experiences as well. In the summer of 2017, at age 70, Tom finally completed his historical romance, The Wire Recorder.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 1, 2019
I am grateful for the opportunity to receive and review an ARC from the author, for Rosie Amber's Book Review Team, in exchange for an honest review.
This book really appealed to me. My older siblings were in college a few years after when Sophie Hearn and Steve Elwood attended college in California during the early and mid 1960's. As I learned about McCarthyism and later the Hippie Movement, I was fascinated by this backlash to the "establishment". I couldn't wait to start. At the beginning, we learn how Sophie and Steve's paths cross throughout childhood as their father's are both writer's in Hollywood and initially quite good friend. Both are closely examined by legislators for being unAmerican in their beliefs and their "subversive" writings but one becomes very outspoken.
Later, as young adults Steve and Sophie have again crossed paths after several years of no contact due to interests and other familial obligations. This portion focuses upon the drug culture and free love practices among the young adults of the era. Vietnam was a black specter over many lives especially the young men, who were not in college and given deferments.
This is where I quit. Unfortunately, there is much more telling in this story than showing. I was very bored. The characters were very flat and though they had so much potential the story limped along instead of becoming more dynamic. This surprised me since the impact of this time was in history was pretty profound. I know that even though my brother didn't go to Vietnam (which I suspect there is more to the story, than what I've officially been told),he lost many friends to the war and ultimately regretted not going and 'doing his part'. Even darker still, he participated in the Kent State riots and lost a friend on that famous day. I was only three at the time and remember the fear I felt over the intense arguments in our home when he returned from college. These were a very dark days but the tension that was existed is just not evident to me in the novel.
It's foundation was strong but the structural elements were lacking. I think that it could be reworked and made more powerful with alterations in the dialogue. The drugs and sex were window dressing and not really of interest to the target audience. Personally, I don't read books with lots of sex or violence, I can see that by turning on the news. I wanted emotions and connection between the characters. It truly could be a case of my expectations being to high. If this appeals to you, don't be swayed by my opinion.
I can tell a lot of effort went into the writing of the story and Mr. Leavitt has some admirable experiences and it is evident he has a message to share. I feel rather bad for saying the negative impressions I have. Unfortunately, I just couldn't force myself to go past the 100 plus pages that I did read.
This book really appealed to me. My older siblings were in college a few years after when Sophie Hearn and Steve Elwood attended college in California during the early and mid 1960's. As I learned about McCarthyism and later the Hippie Movement, I was fascinated by this backlash to the "establishment". I couldn't wait to start. At the beginning, we learn how Sophie and Steve's paths cross throughout childhood as their father's are both writer's in Hollywood and initially quite good friend. Both are closely examined by legislators for being unAmerican in their beliefs and their "subversive" writings but one becomes very outspoken.
Later, as young adults Steve and Sophie have again crossed paths after several years of no contact due to interests and other familial obligations. This portion focuses upon the drug culture and free love practices among the young adults of the era. Vietnam was a black specter over many lives especially the young men, who were not in college and given deferments.
This is where I quit. Unfortunately, there is much more telling in this story than showing. I was very bored. The characters were very flat and though they had so much potential the story limped along instead of becoming more dynamic. This surprised me since the impact of this time was in history was pretty profound. I know that even though my brother didn't go to Vietnam (which I suspect there is more to the story, than what I've officially been told),he lost many friends to the war and ultimately regretted not going and 'doing his part'. Even darker still, he participated in the Kent State riots and lost a friend on that famous day. I was only three at the time and remember the fear I felt over the intense arguments in our home when he returned from college. These were a very dark days but the tension that was existed is just not evident to me in the novel.
It's foundation was strong but the structural elements were lacking. I think that it could be reworked and made more powerful with alterations in the dialogue. The drugs and sex were window dressing and not really of interest to the target audience. Personally, I don't read books with lots of sex or violence, I can see that by turning on the news. I wanted emotions and connection between the characters. It truly could be a case of my expectations being to high. If this appeals to you, don't be swayed by my opinion.
I can tell a lot of effort went into the writing of the story and Mr. Leavitt has some admirable experiences and it is evident he has a message to share. I feel rather bad for saying the negative impressions I have. Unfortunately, I just couldn't force myself to go past the 100 plus pages that I did read.
March 22, 2019
I reviewed this via an ARC from the author, for Rosie Amber's Book Review Team. The fact that it was free has not affected the content of the review.
Please note: I have given this book 4* on Amazon; the difference is because 4* on Amazon means the same as 3* on Goodreads, i.e., 'I liked it'.
I was attracted to this book because of the great title, the great cover, and the blurb that spoke of the 1951 campaign to root out communists in the US film industry, something that interests me greatly. Mr Levitt writes well, and the book flowed along nicely. I did like much of it, hence the 4 stars, although it was not the book I expected.
The anti-communist witch-hunt is dealt with in a brief fashion in the first ten per cent, after which the novel is about the life of Sophie Hearn, the daughter of Larry, who suffered under the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) campaign. Running alongside Sophie's story is that of Steve, whose parents were also involved; I found his early development one of the most compelling parts of the book, especially as it took place in a time when developmental disorders went unrecognised.
Mr Levitt creates the atmosphere of 1960s California so well, I would imagine from personal experience, and many of the incidental characters come alive immediately, particularly in their dialogue.
The reason I didn't enjoy the book quite as much as I had hoped is that there was not much actual plot; it is more of a biographical account of Sophie's life, with chapters dedicated to the social issues of the time. Throughout, I kept waiting for some real conflict, or suspense; opportunities for drama were missed, with any problems (one character's excessive use of marijuana, and, later, the logistics of a mixed race marriage) being resolved quickly and easily, within a page or two, almost as if the author had a checklist of issues to be mentioned.
I enjoyed reading Steve and Sophie's experience at their student parties (and the ridiculous dialogue of the hippie idealists was extremely well done), but few of the scenarios tied together, events happening in isolation. I wonder if there was perhaps too much material for one book; the author has dealt with not only the HUAC campaign, but also the newly permissive 1960s, sexism, drugs, the women's lib movement, living in a commune, new teaching methods, racism, the difficulties of mixed race marriages, employment problems—all this is crammed into one medium-length novel, whereas any one of those subjects would make a great basis for a story all on its own. This is a debut novel, and I know it can be a temptation to play all your cards straight away!
The bulk of the book is about Sophie running an experimental school, and her subsequent difficulties in finding a post in a 'public' school. Sadly, I never got a sense of who Sophie was, though Steve was a rounded, three-dimensional character.
What kept me turning the pages was the writing style, which is extremely readable, the entertaining snapshots of particular aspects of the era, the fact that the author clearly knew his subject matter so well, and the excellent dialogue in the portraits of incidental characters. In the last fifteen per cent, too, there is more of a coming together of Sophie and Steve's lives, a little more suspense, and an explanation of why and how they were affected by what happened to their parents at the beginning of the book.
To sum up: as a fictional account of the sociological history of the era, this is a most fascinating book; for those who are looking for a plot-driven novel about the HUAC campaign and its affects, though, not so much.
Please note: I have given this book 4* on Amazon; the difference is because 4* on Amazon means the same as 3* on Goodreads, i.e., 'I liked it'.
I was attracted to this book because of the great title, the great cover, and the blurb that spoke of the 1951 campaign to root out communists in the US film industry, something that interests me greatly. Mr Levitt writes well, and the book flowed along nicely. I did like much of it, hence the 4 stars, although it was not the book I expected.
The anti-communist witch-hunt is dealt with in a brief fashion in the first ten per cent, after which the novel is about the life of Sophie Hearn, the daughter of Larry, who suffered under the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) campaign. Running alongside Sophie's story is that of Steve, whose parents were also involved; I found his early development one of the most compelling parts of the book, especially as it took place in a time when developmental disorders went unrecognised.
Mr Levitt creates the atmosphere of 1960s California so well, I would imagine from personal experience, and many of the incidental characters come alive immediately, particularly in their dialogue.
The reason I didn't enjoy the book quite as much as I had hoped is that there was not much actual plot; it is more of a biographical account of Sophie's life, with chapters dedicated to the social issues of the time. Throughout, I kept waiting for some real conflict, or suspense; opportunities for drama were missed, with any problems (one character's excessive use of marijuana, and, later, the logistics of a mixed race marriage) being resolved quickly and easily, within a page or two, almost as if the author had a checklist of issues to be mentioned.
I enjoyed reading Steve and Sophie's experience at their student parties (and the ridiculous dialogue of the hippie idealists was extremely well done), but few of the scenarios tied together, events happening in isolation. I wonder if there was perhaps too much material for one book; the author has dealt with not only the HUAC campaign, but also the newly permissive 1960s, sexism, drugs, the women's lib movement, living in a commune, new teaching methods, racism, the difficulties of mixed race marriages, employment problems—all this is crammed into one medium-length novel, whereas any one of those subjects would make a great basis for a story all on its own. This is a debut novel, and I know it can be a temptation to play all your cards straight away!
The bulk of the book is about Sophie running an experimental school, and her subsequent difficulties in finding a post in a 'public' school. Sadly, I never got a sense of who Sophie was, though Steve was a rounded, three-dimensional character.
What kept me turning the pages was the writing style, which is extremely readable, the entertaining snapshots of particular aspects of the era, the fact that the author clearly knew his subject matter so well, and the excellent dialogue in the portraits of incidental characters. In the last fifteen per cent, too, there is more of a coming together of Sophie and Steve's lives, a little more suspense, and an explanation of why and how they were affected by what happened to their parents at the beginning of the book.
To sum up: as a fictional account of the sociological history of the era, this is a most fascinating book; for those who are looking for a plot-driven novel about the HUAC campaign and its affects, though, not so much.
April 12, 2019
DISAPPOINTINGLY UNINTERESTING.
“It [feminism] had electrified her with an angry resolve to get her shit together and do important things.” (Kindle Location 1293)
I was pleased to receive a complimentary digital copy of Thomas A. Levitt’s novel, The Wire Recorder, in exchange for sharing my thoughts, once I had read it.
First, let me say how very much in awe I stand of Mr. Levitt’s heroic persistence and tenacity in completing and publishing this, his debut novel, at the age of 70. That is an incredible achievement.
Kudos, too, for his more than three decades of service to the Los Angeles Unified School District as a teacher in its elementary, middle, and high schools. Another very commendable and heroic achievement. The integrity of his ‘Hollywood blacklisted’ parents shines through his accomplishments.
Genuine kudos and respect notwithstanding, though, I’m afraid I found Tom’s novel disappointing and uninteresting.
Although I’m very interested in the McCarthy era, and the impact of the investigations of HUAC in the early ’50s; this novel spends far too little time and ‘ink’ on those things. But, I am not one whit interested in the hippy-dippy, stoner culture of the mid-’60s, free-school movement, in the newly initiated college-town of Santa Cruz, California; on which far too much ‘ink’ is spilled.
Recommendation: I cannot think of any group(s) to whom I would recommend this novel.
For a more in depth perspective on HUAC, I’d recommend the Lavette Family series of novels by Howard Fast, himself an imprisoned and blacklisted writer of that era.
I would also highly recommend Tom Levitt’s website: thomasalevitt,com
“I shall resist the committee in every way that the constitution provides.”
—Alfred L. Levttt (author’s dad) from remarks prepared for presentation before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Sept. 1951. [see author’s website: thomasalevitt.com]
Kindle Edition, 3,581 Kindle Locations, 312 Pages
“It [feminism] had electrified her with an angry resolve to get her shit together and do important things.” (Kindle Location 1293)
I was pleased to receive a complimentary digital copy of Thomas A. Levitt’s novel, The Wire Recorder, in exchange for sharing my thoughts, once I had read it.
First, let me say how very much in awe I stand of Mr. Levitt’s heroic persistence and tenacity in completing and publishing this, his debut novel, at the age of 70. That is an incredible achievement.
Kudos, too, for his more than three decades of service to the Los Angeles Unified School District as a teacher in its elementary, middle, and high schools. Another very commendable and heroic achievement. The integrity of his ‘Hollywood blacklisted’ parents shines through his accomplishments.
Genuine kudos and respect notwithstanding, though, I’m afraid I found Tom’s novel disappointing and uninteresting.
Although I’m very interested in the McCarthy era, and the impact of the investigations of HUAC in the early ’50s; this novel spends far too little time and ‘ink’ on those things. But, I am not one whit interested in the hippy-dippy, stoner culture of the mid-’60s, free-school movement, in the newly initiated college-town of Santa Cruz, California; on which far too much ‘ink’ is spilled.
Recommendation: I cannot think of any group(s) to whom I would recommend this novel.
For a more in depth perspective on HUAC, I’d recommend the Lavette Family series of novels by Howard Fast, himself an imprisoned and blacklisted writer of that era.
I would also highly recommend Tom Levitt’s website: thomasalevitt,com
“I shall resist the committee in every way that the constitution provides.”
—Alfred L. Levttt (author’s dad) from remarks prepared for presentation before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Sept. 1951. [see author’s website: thomasalevitt.com]
Kindle Edition, 3,581 Kindle Locations, 312 Pages
May 25, 2018
I started this novel expecting to find out some personal insights into the Hollywood Blacklist of the fifties but I found much more. This was a well-written, not self-indulgent intertwining of an excellent picture of life in the sixties touching on the war, politics, women's liberation, all the other dramatic upheavals of the time, and a personal tale of living through all that with the family and life issues that most of us have--secrets, mental problems, life problems, career problems, resentments, opportunities lost and found, loves lost and found...I read this very quickly, finding myself compelled to keep turning the pages to find out what happened next. I found this novel spoke to me unexpectedly. That is a rare thing for me. Some of it was because I was familiar with a number of places and occurences in the novel, but it was more that it transcended that to be a very moving comment on the times and how we are affected by decisions made by the people we love and thought we knew. There is also an element of a cautionary tale about how we perhaps should be more mindful of making decisions based on an emotional reaction to things we don't fully understand. I highly recommend this book.
April 3, 2019
This was an interesting book and a coming of age story of two individuals whose parents had been involved in the House Unamerican Activities Committee hearings--one who was blacklisted and the other who testified. As a baby boomer, several of the events of the 60's and 70's were very familiar and the setting was local--Orange County and LA (besides Santa Cruz for the hippie days). The writing at times, however, was a bit choppy with each chapter almost a vignette. Because the author's parents had been blacklisted, one can't help but wonder if the plot was somewhat autobiographical. Otherwise, a light, enjoyable read.
April 30, 2019
Enjoyable no, intriguing YES
I was a child during the time of this novel. Adults seemed to be very nervous and secretive. The author describes it well. I couldn't put it down.
I was a child during the time of this novel. Adults seemed to be very nervous and secretive. The author describes it well. I couldn't put it down.
August 12, 2019
I loved Steve and Sophie’s relationship. It was such a quick paced and cute read. I loved it!!
September 21, 2019
I received The Wire Recorder in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed that The Wire Recorder had realistic problems on a personal level as well as social problems. I enjoyed that it allows you to see how the children are affected even in adulthood. I was unaware of the blacklisting in the 1950s. Therefore, the book allowed me to become familiar with the topic. I enjoy the book very much. Therefore, the only problem I had is the plot. At times I felt as if there was not much of a plot. Other than that the book was interesting and enjoyable.
September 18, 2019
This book draws you because of how wonderfully written it is about the blacklisting in the 1950s. This book reminds me of a memoir...
August 21, 2019
Note: I received a free review copy of 'The Wire Recorder' for an honest feedback. Thank you for the review copy, Ryder Author Resources.
This book follows the life of two people, Sophie Hearn and Steve Elwood. It is a coming-of-age story that captures the various situations they face on a personal as well as social front. Their lives are shown to intertwine at points and the reader also gets to know them as independent characters.
In the backdrop, the story has the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) campaign which was carried out to root out communists in the US film industry. Sophie and Steve are children of writers in the industry and their families are directly affected by the “witch-hunt”. This forms a strong beginning of the story and flows as an under current throughout the book.
I had little background about this event until I came upon this book and the accounts I read of real life cases were similar to the setting in the book. The author himself has grown up in the shadow of this Hollywood blacklist and I wonder if the story is inspired by his personal accounts. The book does not actually go into detail about the socio-economic ramifications of the campaign and is more of an account about the lives of the two protagonists. Their stories run alongside each other and you keep turning the pages to know what happens next.
The author also captures a lot of other issues which were happening in the 60s and, I feel, draws a good picture of the era. Topics like unemployment, racism, the hippie culture, women’s lib are seen. He does not dwell on or analyse them, they are just situations that the characters face. If anyone is looking for an in depth analysis of these then this book is not for you. But he has done a decent job of weaving them into the story and presenting a holistic picture of the kind of life a section of the society lived.
What I liked: I think the book is kind of a feel-good movie you watch. The characters are likeable and the plot is good but nothing that shakes you up and makes you sit and think about the various social issues. The characters face them and they get resolved and you move on. It is extremely readable. It is a tale of normal people who go through family and life issues in an era where many things we take for granted now did not exist. It can be relatable as we see life problems, career uncertainties, mental disturbances dealt with.
What could have been better: The last 5% (kindle reader) of the book kind of unraveled for me. The end seemed hurried. Not entirely unsatisfactory but a little detail and few more pages could have left me with better closure.
This book follows the life of two people, Sophie Hearn and Steve Elwood. It is a coming-of-age story that captures the various situations they face on a personal as well as social front. Their lives are shown to intertwine at points and the reader also gets to know them as independent characters.
In the backdrop, the story has the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) campaign which was carried out to root out communists in the US film industry. Sophie and Steve are children of writers in the industry and their families are directly affected by the “witch-hunt”. This forms a strong beginning of the story and flows as an under current throughout the book.
I had little background about this event until I came upon this book and the accounts I read of real life cases were similar to the setting in the book. The author himself has grown up in the shadow of this Hollywood blacklist and I wonder if the story is inspired by his personal accounts. The book does not actually go into detail about the socio-economic ramifications of the campaign and is more of an account about the lives of the two protagonists. Their stories run alongside each other and you keep turning the pages to know what happens next.
The author also captures a lot of other issues which were happening in the 60s and, I feel, draws a good picture of the era. Topics like unemployment, racism, the hippie culture, women’s lib are seen. He does not dwell on or analyse them, they are just situations that the characters face. If anyone is looking for an in depth analysis of these then this book is not for you. But he has done a decent job of weaving them into the story and presenting a holistic picture of the kind of life a section of the society lived.
What I liked: I think the book is kind of a feel-good movie you watch. The characters are likeable and the plot is good but nothing that shakes you up and makes you sit and think about the various social issues. The characters face them and they get resolved and you move on. It is extremely readable. It is a tale of normal people who go through family and life issues in an era where many things we take for granted now did not exist. It can be relatable as we see life problems, career uncertainties, mental disturbances dealt with.
What could have been better: The last 5% (kindle reader) of the book kind of unraveled for me. The end seemed hurried. Not entirely unsatisfactory but a little detail and few more pages could have left me with better closure.
August 21, 2019
This story of the blacklist of the 1950s reads like a memoir, although it is a fictional accounting of three small children, whose parents were caught up in the McCarthy hearings that falsely accused so many Hollywood screenwriters and other personages of acting as Communist sympathizers during and following WWII.
In the story, the reader follows two of the children as they mature and how, for each of them, the experiences of their respective parents weaves a connection between them that affects them, even into adulthood. If you are unfamiliar with the blacklisting of the 1950s, this book would serve as an easy read familiarizing you with its effects on people, not just for the years when they were unable to find work, but for many years thereafter.
In the story, the reader follows two of the children as they mature and how, for each of them, the experiences of their respective parents weaves a connection between them that affects them, even into adulthood. If you are unfamiliar with the blacklisting of the 1950s, this book would serve as an easy read familiarizing you with its effects on people, not just for the years when they were unable to find work, but for many years thereafter.
March 27, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
DNF’d at 40%
The Wire Recorder is a work of historical fiction set in the 1960s around the House Un-American Activities Committee, the blacklisting of Hollywood screenwriters, the Vietnam War, Women’s Lib, etc… It follows the two main characters, aquaintances from their childhood days, through their coming of age stories and describes how the historical events affect their lives.
I stopped reading this book because even after 40% there was no apparent storyline. We read mostly about Sophie, the female character, who feels very flat, with interjected stories about Steve, the male character. It reads very much like someone’s actual life without any real arc or development. Unfortunately, the writing feels choppy and a little awkward.
However, the research and the descriptions are incredibly well done, which is the reason I am giving this book two stars.
DNF’d at 40%
The Wire Recorder is a work of historical fiction set in the 1960s around the House Un-American Activities Committee, the blacklisting of Hollywood screenwriters, the Vietnam War, Women’s Lib, etc… It follows the two main characters, aquaintances from their childhood days, through their coming of age stories and describes how the historical events affect their lives.
I stopped reading this book because even after 40% there was no apparent storyline. We read mostly about Sophie, the female character, who feels very flat, with interjected stories about Steve, the male character. It reads very much like someone’s actual life without any real arc or development. Unfortunately, the writing feels choppy and a little awkward.
However, the research and the descriptions are incredibly well done, which is the reason I am giving this book two stars.
July 15, 2019
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Unfortunately this was not a book that I enjoyed at all. I did persevere to the end although at times I wanted to give up! I found myself constantly having to go back to refresh my understanding of this ‘plot’. I thought the style of writing quite choppy and difficult to follow. Maybe perhaps too much was being incorporated into one story?
November 16, 2021
The Wire Recorder is the story of two young people, Sophie Hearn and Steve Elwood, growing up in California during World War II and the subsequent postwar period when the economy was booming and most people were happy to put the privations of the Depression and WWII behind them. The backdrop to these children's lives was Senator Joe McCarthy and his investigations and hearings into Communist infiltration of the US government, universities, and the increasingly powerful film industry. In Hollywood the hearings devastated the careers of many writers, producers and actors who became "blacklisted" including Sophie and Steve's own parents and friends.
What I liked about the book was the way it captured the time periods of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly as they shaped the lives of the two main characters who we see grow up from grade school into college and beyond. Levitt's plot reads like a detective novel. His descriptions of the "hippie" lifestyle and his use of language ring true to the time period. What secrets were the parents hiding? How is the truth going to come out? I wasn't prepared for the surprising turn of events toward the end of the book.
Readers who grew up during the time that the Wire Recorder takes place will easily relate to the challenges the young characters face during the 1950s and 1960s, while younger readers will gain a new perspective on what life was really like for their own parents' or grandparents' generations.
What I liked about the book was the way it captured the time periods of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly as they shaped the lives of the two main characters who we see grow up from grade school into college and beyond. Levitt's plot reads like a detective novel. His descriptions of the "hippie" lifestyle and his use of language ring true to the time period. What secrets were the parents hiding? How is the truth going to come out? I wasn't prepared for the surprising turn of events toward the end of the book.
Readers who grew up during the time that the Wire Recorder takes place will easily relate to the challenges the young characters face during the 1950s and 1960s, while younger readers will gain a new perspective on what life was really like for their own parents' or grandparents' generations.
September 15, 2019
Ryder Author Resources sent me a copy in exchange for an honest review. In no way, my reviews/opinions were affected or influenced by this. Views are own.
When I received this book from Ryder Author Resources I was ecstatic and so excited to read it because I waited so long for this to arrived at our doorstep.
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this one. I don't know if this is because of my high expectation towards this book. Don't get me wrong, I love historical fictions because I learn a lot from them.
This one felt rushed at some points. I love fast-paced books, but I think for this one, it was too much. The story was jumping and jumping and jumping at every chapter. I was like reading a book in fast-forward. And somehow, I got bored because of it.
At first, it was actually interesting. It was a page-turner. But as the story goes, not so much anymore. It felt like the author wanted to put a lot of things into the plot. That's why to me it felt rushed because he wanted to include a lot of things in a single book.
But of course, it was not all bad. This was still a good book. Despite of the things I said above, there was also a lot of things I like with this one. First, I like that it was realistic. The day-to-day problems we face, small or big things. Mental health issue, rejections, second chances. It's a historical fiction so I expected it to be realistic. I assume that the author went through a lot of things, had the same experience (with his parents being blacklisted) that's why his experiences speak a lot with his book.
I learned a lot from the McArthy era, 60's culture.. I was not familiar with what 'blacklisted' means in that era. I actually never heard of it. So it was good that this book gave me some information about it. Though still a bit unclear for me, because as I said, I didn't know a single thing about it until now. So this book made me want to research further more about it.
All in all, this was a decent read. I still like it, but I will find it a little hard to recommend this book to others.
When I received this book from Ryder Author Resources I was ecstatic and so excited to read it because I waited so long for this to arrived at our doorstep.
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this one. I don't know if this is because of my high expectation towards this book. Don't get me wrong, I love historical fictions because I learn a lot from them.
This one felt rushed at some points. I love fast-paced books, but I think for this one, it was too much. The story was jumping and jumping and jumping at every chapter. I was like reading a book in fast-forward. And somehow, I got bored because of it.
At first, it was actually interesting. It was a page-turner. But as the story goes, not so much anymore. It felt like the author wanted to put a lot of things into the plot. That's why to me it felt rushed because he wanted to include a lot of things in a single book.
But of course, it was not all bad. This was still a good book. Despite of the things I said above, there was also a lot of things I like with this one. First, I like that it was realistic. The day-to-day problems we face, small or big things. Mental health issue, rejections, second chances. It's a historical fiction so I expected it to be realistic. I assume that the author went through a lot of things, had the same experience (with his parents being blacklisted) that's why his experiences speak a lot with his book.
I learned a lot from the McArthy era, 60's culture.. I was not familiar with what 'blacklisted' means in that era. I actually never heard of it. So it was good that this book gave me some information about it. Though still a bit unclear for me, because as I said, I didn't know a single thing about it until now. So this book made me want to research further more about it.
All in all, this was a decent read. I still like it, but I will find it a little hard to recommend this book to others.
September 1, 2019
I received a copy of the wire in return for an honest review... I found there was no real plot to this story, any issue that was brought up didn’t go into depth and seemed to be easily resolved or forgotten about. I never connected with the characters and just felt too much was being incorporated into the story and there was no main focus on one subject. I hate giving 1 star but I have to admit I was pretty bored and had forced myself to finish the book.
September 19, 2023
Reminiscent of my life experiences and locales and of the dark history of McCarthyism.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews