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Hollywood North: A Novel in Six Reels
Jack Levin is the boy who finds things. Gus Berry is the boy who wants things. Annie Barker is the girl who believes in things. Each is an outcast in their own way. Each is obsessed with movies, TV, comic books, and unexplained phenomena. And each lives with the fear bad things are heading their way.
Welcome to the 1960s and sleepy small-town Trenton, Ontario. Where hunting, fishing, arson, and drowning are the favoured pastimes. Where dogs maim, trains derail, planes collide, and people vanish. Where secrets, lies, and selective amnesia pervade the adult agenda. Where only Gus, Jack, and Annie sense an unsettling connection to it all. And where piece by gruesome piece, this dauntless trio works to uncover the mystery at the malevolent heart of Trenton’s dark past . . . and darker future.
Welcome to the 1960s and sleepy small-town Trenton, Ontario. Where hunting, fishing, arson, and drowning are the favoured pastimes. Where dogs maim, trains derail, planes collide, and people vanish. Where secrets, lies, and selective amnesia pervade the adult agenda. Where only Gus, Jack, and Annie sense an unsettling connection to it all. And where piece by gruesome piece, this dauntless trio works to uncover the mystery at the malevolent heart of Trenton’s dark past . . . and darker future.
360 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2019
About the author
Michael Libling
29 books14 followersMichael Libling is a writer, a former talk-radio host (CJAD Montreal), and a 2015 nominee for the World Fantasy Award.
Michael's latest novel—THE SERIAL KILLER'S SON TAKES A WIFE—is a quirky horror-thriller. Available as of September 5, 2023, it will be published by Kevin J. Anderson's innovative WordFire Press. His debut novel, HOLLYWOOD NORTH: A NOVEL IN SIX REELS (originally from ChiZine, currently from Open Road Media), is available from all the usual suspects. A coming-of-age, genre-defying novel, the story is rooted in Trenton, Ontario, Canada’s little-known silent moviemaking past and features a wealth of vintage pop culture trivia—movies, TV, books, comic books, and more.
Character-driven, with recurrent strains of dark humor, Michael's fiction tends to defy categorization, appealing to readers of mainstream, fantasy, horror, science fiction, mystery, and thriller.
His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Asimov's Science Fiction, Realms of Fantasy, SciFiction, Amazing Stories, OnSpec and anthologies such as Gordon Van Gelder's politically charged "Welcome to Dystopia", Peter Crowther's "Destination Unknown", Ellen Datlow's "The Year's Best Fantasy & Horror," and Rich Horton's "The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 2020." Michael also has a number of non-fiction credits.
He is the father of three daughters and lives in Montreal with his wife, Pat, and a dog named Piper. He claims to be one of only seven North American authors who does not own a cat.
Michael's latest novel—THE SERIAL KILLER'S SON TAKES A WIFE—is a quirky horror-thriller. Available as of September 5, 2023, it will be published by Kevin J. Anderson's innovative WordFire Press. His debut novel, HOLLYWOOD NORTH: A NOVEL IN SIX REELS (originally from ChiZine, currently from Open Road Media), is available from all the usual suspects. A coming-of-age, genre-defying novel, the story is rooted in Trenton, Ontario, Canada’s little-known silent moviemaking past and features a wealth of vintage pop culture trivia—movies, TV, books, comic books, and more.
Character-driven, with recurrent strains of dark humor, Michael's fiction tends to defy categorization, appealing to readers of mainstream, fantasy, horror, science fiction, mystery, and thriller.
His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Asimov's Science Fiction, Realms of Fantasy, SciFiction, Amazing Stories, OnSpec and anthologies such as Gordon Van Gelder's politically charged "Welcome to Dystopia", Peter Crowther's "Destination Unknown", Ellen Datlow's "The Year's Best Fantasy & Horror," and Rich Horton's "The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 2020." Michael also has a number of non-fiction credits.
He is the father of three daughters and lives in Montreal with his wife, Pat, and a dog named Piper. He claims to be one of only seven North American authors who does not own a cat.
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June 21, 2021I suppose this would have to be considered a horror novel, but a far from traditional one. There are no zombies, no vampires, no one eating his own brain. There are some "buried alive" references, but none of them are detailed descriptions of what that would be like and all but one of them are referring to incidents in the past.
Gus Berry, whose real first name is Leo, is the narrator of the book. He begins with a flashback sequence, set in 1988, in which Berry, then thirty-seven years old, returns to his home town, Trenton, Ontario, for the reading of a will. He tells us that he is joined on the journey by his old friend, Jack, but it is clear that Jack is not physically present; what is not clear is whether Jack exists only in the narrator's mind or if he is an actual specter.
Then the story enters another flashback, thirty years earlier. (I am using the term "flashback" advisedly; this is a very cinema-centric book.) Most of the story takes place in this sequence, in which young Leo grows into the adolescent Gus. During this time, he makes two special friends, Jack Levin and Annie Barker. Jack, a year older than Leo, was "the boy who found things," whose exploits were recognized in the local newspaper as he came across first a meteorite, and later a bottle with a message in it, and then a long-lost wedding ring. Leo passionately wants to be like Jack, renowned, respected, and, in Leo's mind, heroic. Leo wants to see his own picture in the newspapers.
Annie was in the same grade as Leo. She was "the girl who believed in things," and one of the things that she believed in was Leo. Annie and Leo had different views of the world, even as young children. Annie found Leo pessimistic, a Gloomy Gus, and the nickname "Gus" began to stick.
Gus had some reason for gloominess; his father had died when Gus was too young to remember him. (In this very conspiracy-oriented story, I kept expecting Gus's father's death in a fall in a gas station men's room to turn out to be a cover-up for something more sinister.) His mother is young and attractive, which will affect her relationships with some of the adult males in Gus's life.
Gus sets out to make Jack his friend and, rather awkwardly, succeeds. Then Jack makes another discovery and, for reasons relating to his family, wants Gus to say that he was the one who found these items. What Jack had found was forty-seven pieces of cardboard, each having a decorative border, some wording, and the letters "BPI." These, they come to learn, are "intertitles," the words that appear on the screen in silent movies. Some of them are dialogue:
"You! Oh no, Edward, not you! You wouldn't! No, please, not that!"
Others set a scene:
Meanwhile, upriver, bitter Fate deals a dastardly hand...
The intertitle cards appear throughout the book, some making an obvious reference to something in the story, most more cryptic. Much of the book concerns the mystery of the meaning of the intertitles, starting with what they are from and how they came to be in Trenton.
But there is another mystery that the friends investigate and that is the strange, violent history of Trenton, which people there seldom mention, and often seem not to recall. They compile a list, which includes a munitions plant explosion, a circus fire, a train wreck, another train hitting a school bus, a mass poisoning at a picnic, and an assortment of suicides and murders.
The friends get older, reach their mid-teens, and go through changes, both in their relationships and in themselves. They learn that Trenton, Ontario was once a major center of film production in the days of silent movies, and that people that they know were involved in making those films. They also learn that those people do not want this brought to light.
At one point, Gus observes, "I am a bad person. If you didn't believe me before, you'd be wise to believe me now." And that is yet another mystery - what kind of person is Gus really?
The style of the book is as important as the story. First, the book is funny. The first joke (that I recognized as a joke, that is) comes before the text even begins. On the copyright page, there is a credit that says:
Copyedited and proofread by Alan Smithee
"Alan Smithee" was a pseudonym used by film directors who wanted their real name removed from a particular film. I am not sure how this relates to this book, unless it was meant to indicate that the publishers were none too confident about the proofreading.
Gus is a bright and witty kid and so are his friends. In the following, Annie first sees Jack's private sanctum:
"So what are all these, then?" she asked.
"Um," Jack said, "Books?"
"I'd never have guessed," she snarked.
...
She looked to Jack. Her sweetie-pie face. "May I borrow a couple?"
"I don't lend books."
"I'll be careful."
He put her to the test. "Do you dog-ear the pages or use a bookmark?"
"Bookmark."
"Always?"
She dumped the sweet. "Occasionally I tear off the cover and make origami butterflies with it."
I laughed, elbowed Jack in the ribs. "That's a good one, eh?"
Jack didn't find it funny. Could be he didn't know what origami was. To most, Japan was Pearl Harbor, tin toys, and Sessue Hayakawa.
The physical layout of the book adds a lot. Page numbers are printed as film strips. There are occasional entries from a television listing, some apparently real, some obviously not. The first one, printed on a shaded section of the page, says:
1:00 [Channel] 5 HOLLYWOOD NORTH - Movie
After many years away, a man returns to his boyhood home to claim a mysterious inheritance.
The "Six Reels" mentioned in the book title each begin with an intertitle from a real movie. I don't know if these are actual title cards from the films, but they do appear to be. There are also a few very convincing pictures of newspapers, books, and advertising material.
Trenton, Ontario is a real place, and a check of the internet revealed that many of the incidents mentioned actually occurred. There was a munitions plant explosion, a bus hit by a train (in a neighboring town), a serial killer caught in 2010. I don't know if the picnic deaths or the shoe factory cave-in were real; I don't think that the circus fire was, but I might be wrong. I did not attempt to check on all the murders and suicides.
Most importantly, Trenton was a film-making hub; Hollywood North was a real thing.
I seldom read horror novels. I simply don't enjoy being frightened or disgusted and I'm not sure why others do - but those "others" are millions of people. This is Michael Libling's first novel, but I have read a couple of his short stories and thought that they were excellent. (The ones that I have read were "Timmy Gobel's Bug Jar" [The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, December, 2001] and "The Fourth Kiss" [The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, August, 2002].) I would probably rate this 4 or, if it were possible, 4.5. However, since I am definitely not part of the book's intended readership, I will not give a rating: I will just say that I think it is quite good.
Gus Berry, whose real first name is Leo, is the narrator of the book. He begins with a flashback sequence, set in 1988, in which Berry, then thirty-seven years old, returns to his home town, Trenton, Ontario, for the reading of a will. He tells us that he is joined on the journey by his old friend, Jack, but it is clear that Jack is not physically present; what is not clear is whether Jack exists only in the narrator's mind or if he is an actual specter.
Then the story enters another flashback, thirty years earlier. (I am using the term "flashback" advisedly; this is a very cinema-centric book.) Most of the story takes place in this sequence, in which young Leo grows into the adolescent Gus. During this time, he makes two special friends, Jack Levin and Annie Barker. Jack, a year older than Leo, was "the boy who found things," whose exploits were recognized in the local newspaper as he came across first a meteorite, and later a bottle with a message in it, and then a long-lost wedding ring. Leo passionately wants to be like Jack, renowned, respected, and, in Leo's mind, heroic. Leo wants to see his own picture in the newspapers.
Annie was in the same grade as Leo. She was "the girl who believed in things," and one of the things that she believed in was Leo. Annie and Leo had different views of the world, even as young children. Annie found Leo pessimistic, a Gloomy Gus, and the nickname "Gus" began to stick.
Gus had some reason for gloominess; his father had died when Gus was too young to remember him. (In this very conspiracy-oriented story, I kept expecting Gus's father's death in a fall in a gas station men's room to turn out to be a cover-up for something more sinister.) His mother is young and attractive, which will affect her relationships with some of the adult males in Gus's life.
Gus sets out to make Jack his friend and, rather awkwardly, succeeds. Then Jack makes another discovery and, for reasons relating to his family, wants Gus to say that he was the one who found these items. What Jack had found was forty-seven pieces of cardboard, each having a decorative border, some wording, and the letters "BPI." These, they come to learn, are "intertitles," the words that appear on the screen in silent movies. Some of them are dialogue:
"You! Oh no, Edward, not you! You wouldn't! No, please, not that!"
Others set a scene:
Meanwhile, upriver, bitter Fate deals a dastardly hand...
The intertitle cards appear throughout the book, some making an obvious reference to something in the story, most more cryptic. Much of the book concerns the mystery of the meaning of the intertitles, starting with what they are from and how they came to be in Trenton.
But there is another mystery that the friends investigate and that is the strange, violent history of Trenton, which people there seldom mention, and often seem not to recall. They compile a list, which includes a munitions plant explosion, a circus fire, a train wreck, another train hitting a school bus, a mass poisoning at a picnic, and an assortment of suicides and murders.
The friends get older, reach their mid-teens, and go through changes, both in their relationships and in themselves. They learn that Trenton, Ontario was once a major center of film production in the days of silent movies, and that people that they know were involved in making those films. They also learn that those people do not want this brought to light.
At one point, Gus observes, "I am a bad person. If you didn't believe me before, you'd be wise to believe me now." And that is yet another mystery - what kind of person is Gus really?
The style of the book is as important as the story. First, the book is funny. The first joke (that I recognized as a joke, that is) comes before the text even begins. On the copyright page, there is a credit that says:
Copyedited and proofread by Alan Smithee
"Alan Smithee" was a pseudonym used by film directors who wanted their real name removed from a particular film. I am not sure how this relates to this book, unless it was meant to indicate that the publishers were none too confident about the proofreading.
Gus is a bright and witty kid and so are his friends. In the following, Annie first sees Jack's private sanctum:
"So what are all these, then?" she asked.
"Um," Jack said, "Books?"
"I'd never have guessed," she snarked.
...
She looked to Jack. Her sweetie-pie face. "May I borrow a couple?"
"I don't lend books."
"I'll be careful."
He put her to the test. "Do you dog-ear the pages or use a bookmark?"
"Bookmark."
"Always?"
She dumped the sweet. "Occasionally I tear off the cover and make origami butterflies with it."
I laughed, elbowed Jack in the ribs. "That's a good one, eh?"
Jack didn't find it funny. Could be he didn't know what origami was. To most, Japan was Pearl Harbor, tin toys, and Sessue Hayakawa.
The physical layout of the book adds a lot. Page numbers are printed as film strips. There are occasional entries from a television listing, some apparently real, some obviously not. The first one, printed on a shaded section of the page, says:
1:00 [Channel] 5 HOLLYWOOD NORTH - Movie
After many years away, a man returns to his boyhood home to claim a mysterious inheritance.
The "Six Reels" mentioned in the book title each begin with an intertitle from a real movie. I don't know if these are actual title cards from the films, but they do appear to be. There are also a few very convincing pictures of newspapers, books, and advertising material.
Trenton, Ontario is a real place, and a check of the internet revealed that many of the incidents mentioned actually occurred. There was a munitions plant explosion, a bus hit by a train (in a neighboring town), a serial killer caught in 2010. I don't know if the picnic deaths or the shoe factory cave-in were real; I don't think that the circus fire was, but I might be wrong. I did not attempt to check on all the murders and suicides.
Most importantly, Trenton was a film-making hub; Hollywood North was a real thing.
I seldom read horror novels. I simply don't enjoy being frightened or disgusted and I'm not sure why others do - but those "others" are millions of people. This is Michael Libling's first novel, but I have read a couple of his short stories and thought that they were excellent. (The ones that I have read were "Timmy Gobel's Bug Jar" [The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, December, 2001] and "The Fourth Kiss" [The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, August, 2002].) I would probably rate this 4 or, if it were possible, 4.5. However, since I am definitely not part of the book's intended readership, I will not give a rating: I will just say that I think it is quite good.
August 31, 2019
As a rabid fan of Michael Libling’s short stories, I could not wait to get my grubby mitts on a copy of Hollywood North, his long-awaited first novel. I was not disappointed. Once I started, I could not put it down.
Libling has a keen memory for the insights and obsessions of boys growing up oddballs in an era of widespread conformity. He writes of their triumphs, terrors, and heartbreaks with an enviable breeziness. But, like a cherry-red hot rod idling in the street at midnight, that slick surface hides a throbbing pulsebeat of dread you feel deep in your chest. When you hop aboard, you’re in for a thrilling ride, but there’s no guarantee you’ll come back in one piece. Or at all.
Hollywood North is the most heartbreaking and chilling novel I’ve read in a very long time. Gus and Jack would file this find under X, for Excellent.
Libling has a keen memory for the insights and obsessions of boys growing up oddballs in an era of widespread conformity. He writes of their triumphs, terrors, and heartbreaks with an enviable breeziness. But, like a cherry-red hot rod idling in the street at midnight, that slick surface hides a throbbing pulsebeat of dread you feel deep in your chest. When you hop aboard, you’re in for a thrilling ride, but there’s no guarantee you’ll come back in one piece. Or at all.
Hollywood North is the most heartbreaking and chilling novel I’ve read in a very long time. Gus and Jack would file this find under X, for Excellent.
August 13, 2019
Hollywood North was an incredible read. I couldn’t put it down. Young Leo/Gus so lonely and naive and yet eager and frightened to make a friend. Jack, finally ready to oblige. Annie, so very accepting. I was able to see myself in all three of these characters.
I laughed, re- read different parts both out loud and to myself. This book describes small town living so well. Part of me wanted to run to Trenton and parts made me want to run in the other direction.
I highly recommend Hollywood North.
It’s a keeper. I will be re-reading certain parts for sure.
This book will be part of my home library!
I laughed, re- read different parts both out loud and to myself. This book describes small town living so well. Part of me wanted to run to Trenton and parts made me want to run in the other direction.
I highly recommend Hollywood North.
It’s a keeper. I will be re-reading certain parts for sure.
This book will be part of my home library!
August 15, 2019
I have followed Libling’s short stories and novellas for years in Fantasy and Science Fiction and Asimov’s Science Fiction and always thoroughly enjoyed them.With Hollywood North he has brought his imagination and unique skills to his first full length novel.Mystery,fantasy,humor,trivia it’s all here.I loved it.
May 11, 2021
Hollywood North is a deliciously written novel of memory and betrayal, with frequent sharp raps of humour, and an overall mood that gradually shifts from cautiously hopeful to one saturated in sorrow. A masterful first novel from well known speculative short story writer, Michael Libling.
I have rated it 4.5 on Library Thing, but as that isn’t possible here, I give it 4.
I have rated it 4.5 on Library Thing, but as that isn’t possible here, I give it 4.
August 16, 2019
The storytelling is compelling, the story is imaginative and surprising, the characters are memorable... Go where it takes you -- you'll love the itinerary and the destination.
October 7, 2019
This book took me about a week to read. Only because I didn't wish the story to end. When you are consumed inside a great story with great characters and an outstanding plot you don't wish to let go. But you know you have to. Because the end of the tale will arrive sooner than you know it, and then you're left with the need to search for more writing from the author just to feed your need.
Michael Libling's writing is like this.
His work reflects the likes of Bradbury, King, and a slew of other writers I dearly love. I've been following Michael Libling's writing for a couple of years and continue to enjoy the hell out of it every time I read one of his new tales. It's like a finding a gemstone in the sand. Or the awesome prize you hoped to find in the your next box of Captain Crunch. Sounds goofy, I know, though it's right on point. When I go to a bookstore and become giddy when I discover a new author, it's magic. Libling's work is just like it. His writing swallows you whole. It's the kind of writing you feel every aspect of the character's feeling and witness the surroundings out of their eyes.
Hollywood North is a brilliant read. If you are looking for something different, something to learn about Trenton, Ontario, and hanging out with three children in the 1960's who endure the horrors of growing up--and much more--this book is for you.
Make sure to set aside some dedicated reading time because you'll enjoy the ride.
Michael Libling's writing is like this.
His work reflects the likes of Bradbury, King, and a slew of other writers I dearly love. I've been following Michael Libling's writing for a couple of years and continue to enjoy the hell out of it every time I read one of his new tales. It's like a finding a gemstone in the sand. Or the awesome prize you hoped to find in the your next box of Captain Crunch. Sounds goofy, I know, though it's right on point. When I go to a bookstore and become giddy when I discover a new author, it's magic. Libling's work is just like it. His writing swallows you whole. It's the kind of writing you feel every aspect of the character's feeling and witness the surroundings out of their eyes.
Hollywood North is a brilliant read. If you are looking for something different, something to learn about Trenton, Ontario, and hanging out with three children in the 1960's who endure the horrors of growing up--and much more--this book is for you.
Make sure to set aside some dedicated reading time because you'll enjoy the ride.
August 30, 2019
More than just a love letter to Trenton, Ontario (actually the original “Hollywood North”), this book is a combination coming-of-age, mystery, slightly fantastical kind of tale.
The chapters are short, making it a good pick-up-and-go-back-to kind of novel. The story moves quickly, and the characters are all believable and a little bit broken. The antagonists are the right kind of scary and creepy, and remind me how strange adults seemed to me when I was a kid.
It’s difficult to describe the plot too much without ruining it. Leo (also known as Gus) is your classic bullied kid living in a small town. Strange things happen to him, and his town of Trenton. We follow him, and his friends Jack and Annie, as they try to solve a mystery. It’s not clear what the mystery is, but the reader discovers things right along with the kids. There are a number of unexpected twists and turns, and though it is resolved in the end, this book took did not end up where I had expected it to go. That’s a sign of a good mystery, right?
The chapters are short, making it a good pick-up-and-go-back-to kind of novel. The story moves quickly, and the characters are all believable and a little bit broken. The antagonists are the right kind of scary and creepy, and remind me how strange adults seemed to me when I was a kid.
It’s difficult to describe the plot too much without ruining it. Leo (also known as Gus) is your classic bullied kid living in a small town. Strange things happen to him, and his town of Trenton. We follow him, and his friends Jack and Annie, as they try to solve a mystery. It’s not clear what the mystery is, but the reader discovers things right along with the kids. There are a number of unexpected twists and turns, and though it is resolved in the end, this book took did not end up where I had expected it to go. That’s a sign of a good mystery, right?
August 9, 2020
This is a book about kids, not FOR kids, and what a book it is. There's bullying, standing up for friends, the beginnings of knowing what girls are about, plus some blurry yet menacing secret just out of sight.
Add on a creepy principal, a widowed mom who is in the sights of the principal, small town intrigue, and you have a great story. The kids, especially the hero Gus, jack and Annie, are beautifully drawn
Libling has a mastery of the language, especially of the world of kids about to enter their teen years. I hated for this book to end.
Yes, as good as Stephen King
Add on a creepy principal, a widowed mom who is in the sights of the principal, small town intrigue, and you have a great story. The kids, especially the hero Gus, jack and Annie, are beautifully drawn
Libling has a mastery of the language, especially of the world of kids about to enter their teen years. I hated for this book to end.
Yes, as good as Stephen King
August 28, 2019
This intriguing story that is based in Trenton, Ontario, sheds light on events that the town prefers to remain a secret. You can feel the dark cloud hanging over the story from the very start and you have to see it through to the end. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. The interesting and complicated characters captured my attention from the very beginning. Trentonians must be grappling with ‘how much is real and how much is fiction’.
September 5, 2019
I've thought for a while that Michael Libling's short fiction ought ought to be collected. It would make interesting reading, to say the least.
After reading Hollywood North I've put Michae Libling on my select list of "Read everything and, if at all possible, immediately after publication.
'Nuff said?
After reading Hollywood North I've put Michae Libling on my select list of "Read everything and, if at all possible, immediately after publication.
'Nuff said?
September 24, 2019
Captivating from start to finish! Managed to plow through it in just a few days; couldn't put the thing down. This novel portrays mid-century small-town Ontario exactly as I imagined it probably was: full of strange characters with even stranger stories. Witty, hilarious, and just down-right brilliant. Highly recommended!!
August 28, 2019
I couldn’t put this book down. A coming of age story with plot twists and turns that had me in it’s grasp right from the get go. I got swept up by the main characters wanting to know what would befall them. Read the entire book in 2 installments. Great story.
October 1, 2019
A compelling and entertaining history/mystery which weaves the cultural record of the mid-20th century into a small town’s secret past as seen through the eyes of a young man’s tortured coming of age. A great read!
September 29, 2019
A Christmas Story meets the works of Edgar Allan Poe in a well-paced tale of small town corruption, childhood fear, and a world bounded by secrets and ambiguity.
April 21, 2025
"Every town has its history. Every town has its secrets. Trenton's secret is its history."
I fear my review is biased as I knew I'd enjoy Hollywood North before I even bought it. In search of increasingly elusive information about Trenton's Dufferin Public School, I came across Libling's work (which partially takes place in the "Demure Georgian beauty") and purchased it immediately, thinking that - if nothing else - it could be a good source of information. I knew I'd enjoy it for this reason alone, but I didn't anticipate enjoying the narrative for the same reason that I did, in the end, genuinely love it: like Libling, I grew up in Trenton.
My favourite thing about this novel (and there are lots of things I really loved) is the way Libling leans into the (very accurate) "forgetting" that seems to follow Trenton and its history. While there are many amazing historical resources to aid in the collective remembering, some of which are included in the Acknowledgements, I've always found it interesting how many stories of the city and pieces of its long history seem either partially lost to time or only found in the remnants of long passed-down oral histories from someone who might have been in that place that no longer exists, or witnessed that thing that many residents didn't know happened. Among his best allusions to this phenomenon include his reference to the cannon on Mt. Pelion "commemorat[ing] nothing anybody is clear on" and the notion that "the Killer Colonel pretty much sums up what people know about Trenton and this includes the people who live there."
Using this concept as a foundation on which to build a narrative that weaves fact with fiction is genius. Again, perhaps I'm biased because, armed with lived experience in the town Libling so accurately describes, I grew up hearing bits and pieces of the events that shaped Trenton: I revel in the chance to see how others have filled in the gaps, the way so many of us with active imaginations have.
In any case, whether or not you've even heard of Trenton, Hollywood North is a masterpiece. The stylistic choice to present the story in six reels, which are interspersed with silent movie card images, is unique and effective. The non-linear narrative, following Leo's (sorry, Gus') journey back to his hometown in the first chapter of each reel, builds anticipation for what he'll discover his "mysterious inheritance" to be. The rest of the reel slowly builds up to WHY he's receiving this inheritance in a way that embodies classic coming of age stories like Stand by Me and Bush Falls. When these pieces converge to a plot twist so surprising that no amount of foreshadowing could have informed my prediction of it, there is no choice but to devour the last 75+ pages immediately.
This is instantly a new favourite and one I will re-read for years to come. Easily the best thing to come out of Trenton, Ontario, and in my opinion, the cultural point of reference that we should henceforth use when referring to the small Ontario town (replacing the oft used "do you remember Col. Williams? Yeah, that place".). Thank you, Mr.Libling: your rendition of "Hollywood North's history" is my favourite.
I fear my review is biased as I knew I'd enjoy Hollywood North before I even bought it. In search of increasingly elusive information about Trenton's Dufferin Public School, I came across Libling's work (which partially takes place in the "Demure Georgian beauty") and purchased it immediately, thinking that - if nothing else - it could be a good source of information. I knew I'd enjoy it for this reason alone, but I didn't anticipate enjoying the narrative for the same reason that I did, in the end, genuinely love it: like Libling, I grew up in Trenton.
My favourite thing about this novel (and there are lots of things I really loved) is the way Libling leans into the (very accurate) "forgetting" that seems to follow Trenton and its history. While there are many amazing historical resources to aid in the collective remembering, some of which are included in the Acknowledgements, I've always found it interesting how many stories of the city and pieces of its long history seem either partially lost to time or only found in the remnants of long passed-down oral histories from someone who might have been in that place that no longer exists, or witnessed that thing that many residents didn't know happened. Among his best allusions to this phenomenon include his reference to the cannon on Mt. Pelion "commemorat[ing] nothing anybody is clear on" and the notion that "the Killer Colonel pretty much sums up what people know about Trenton and this includes the people who live there."
Using this concept as a foundation on which to build a narrative that weaves fact with fiction is genius. Again, perhaps I'm biased because, armed with lived experience in the town Libling so accurately describes, I grew up hearing bits and pieces of the events that shaped Trenton: I revel in the chance to see how others have filled in the gaps, the way so many of us with active imaginations have.
In any case, whether or not you've even heard of Trenton, Hollywood North is a masterpiece. The stylistic choice to present the story in six reels, which are interspersed with silent movie card images, is unique and effective. The non-linear narrative, following Leo's (sorry, Gus') journey back to his hometown in the first chapter of each reel, builds anticipation for what he'll discover his "mysterious inheritance" to be. The rest of the reel slowly builds up to WHY he's receiving this inheritance in a way that embodies classic coming of age stories like Stand by Me and Bush Falls. When these pieces converge to a plot twist so surprising that no amount of foreshadowing could have informed my prediction of it, there is no choice but to devour the last 75+ pages immediately.
This is instantly a new favourite and one I will re-read for years to come. Easily the best thing to come out of Trenton, Ontario, and in my opinion, the cultural point of reference that we should henceforth use when referring to the small Ontario town (replacing the oft used "do you remember Col. Williams? Yeah, that place".). Thank you, Mr.Libling: your rendition of "Hollywood North's history" is my favourite.
November 1, 2019
OK, what I really enjoy about Hollywood North:
When a book gets in your head, and you find yourself viewing everything through its particular filter, however dark and creepy that may be.
When you are jumpier throughout the day because of that.
When you delay reading the last chapters because you want to savor it slowly, in just the right way, without interruption or distraction. And you don’t really want to know.
And, of course, the references that we grew up with — the small town characters, the stories we concoct about all of them (always dark and creepy), the tiniest of details that stay with you forever, like blasting caps. There was a reason they said they don’t touch them. Because then you have to.
I loved it. Thank you!
When a book gets in your head, and you find yourself viewing everything through its particular filter, however dark and creepy that may be.
When you are jumpier throughout the day because of that.
When you delay reading the last chapters because you want to savor it slowly, in just the right way, without interruption or distraction. And you don’t really want to know.
And, of course, the references that we grew up with — the small town characters, the stories we concoct about all of them (always dark and creepy), the tiniest of details that stay with you forever, like blasting caps. There was a reason they said they don’t touch them. Because then you have to.
I loved it. Thank you!
January 22, 2020
Atmospheric Storytelling
I've experienced few book crushes in my life. First, there was The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Then, there was To Kill A Mockingbird. And now, to complete this trilogy of literary classics, comes Hollywood North: A Novel in Six Reels, destined to become a coming-of-age literary classic in its own right. Not since Tom Wolfe's The Bonfires of the Vanities have I engaged with such original and expressive writing. Hollywood North's propulsive prose and sardonic humor make for compulsive reading. However, like a fine beverage whose nectar should be savored one sip at a time, this novel's unique voice should be savored one delicious sentence at a time to be fully appreciated. I hated for this book to end, but, as the saying goes, all good things must end. With this one novel, Mr. Libling has cemented his place in the pantheon of great writers. My only regret about purchasing Hollywood North is that I wish I had done so sooner. The ending is to die for. What a trip! Bravo! I look forward to reading more stories from Mr. Libling.
I've experienced few book crushes in my life. First, there was The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Then, there was To Kill A Mockingbird. And now, to complete this trilogy of literary classics, comes Hollywood North: A Novel in Six Reels, destined to become a coming-of-age literary classic in its own right. Not since Tom Wolfe's The Bonfires of the Vanities have I engaged with such original and expressive writing. Hollywood North's propulsive prose and sardonic humor make for compulsive reading. However, like a fine beverage whose nectar should be savored one sip at a time, this novel's unique voice should be savored one delicious sentence at a time to be fully appreciated. I hated for this book to end, but, as the saying goes, all good things must end. With this one novel, Mr. Libling has cemented his place in the pantheon of great writers. My only regret about purchasing Hollywood North is that I wish I had done so sooner. The ending is to die for. What a trip! Bravo! I look forward to reading more stories from Mr. Libling.
August 6, 2022
Made me think of a Canadian version of Robert R. McCammon's BOY'S LIFE. A story about growing up, and how odd, scary and even dangerous that can be even when there aren't vampires, demons, or serial killers.
The main character Leo grows up in sleepy Trenton, ON where things seem a bit *off*. Unlike Stephen King or Dan Simmons, where the horror would be up front, the unexplained events in Trenton are just one of Leo's many challenges—bullies, trying to make friends, and jealousies of suitors of his widowed mother. It's effective in that we the (adult) reader are much more disturbed and horrified about what he sees and experiences than Leo.
If you are looking for traditional horror, this isn't it. I don't even know what genre it is or if it's even a genre novel. It's also longer than most horror novels these days, and some may find the pace slow, but this isn't a "AND *THEN*" kind of story. It's a child growing up and looking forward, and framing chapters of the adult looking back, and the horror of how one's own life can be mystery.
The main character Leo grows up in sleepy Trenton, ON where things seem a bit *off*. Unlike Stephen King or Dan Simmons, where the horror would be up front, the unexplained events in Trenton are just one of Leo's many challenges—bullies, trying to make friends, and jealousies of suitors of his widowed mother. It's effective in that we the (adult) reader are much more disturbed and horrified about what he sees and experiences than Leo.
If you are looking for traditional horror, this isn't it. I don't even know what genre it is or if it's even a genre novel. It's also longer than most horror novels these days, and some may find the pace slow, but this isn't a "AND *THEN*" kind of story. It's a child growing up and looking forward, and framing chapters of the adult looking back, and the horror of how one's own life can be mystery.
August 2, 2020
Film and Life
Were you ever a child who loved film and your friend did too? Did you have adventures and mysteries that only your imagination could contain? Are you nostalgic? Did you grow up in small towns, or want to? Did adults baffle you when you were a child? No fair telling you anything of the plot. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did. Fantastic sly and smart writing about kids being friends and more.
Were you ever a child who loved film and your friend did too? Did you have adventures and mysteries that only your imagination could contain? Are you nostalgic? Did you grow up in small towns, or want to? Did adults baffle you when you were a child? No fair telling you anything of the plot. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did. Fantastic sly and smart writing about kids being friends and more.
September 27, 2019
This is a beautifully written book, a coming of age tale with a creeping sense of horror and distress, capping off with a fantastic ending. I've grown tired of books about people reminiscing and loving their hometowns. This is a book for all of us who never trusted the places where we grew up.
August 14, 2020
Outstanding coming of age story with dark undertones. Although the main characters lived in a generation earlier than mine, I can relate to growing up in a small town. Fantastic plot with a cast of characters superbly fleshed out, this is one book you don't want to miss.
June 23, 2026
Several reviewers compare this to Stand By Me; however, the early part is more similar to Bradbury's Dandelion Wine and Something Wicked This Way Comes. The latter parts echo Grady Hendrix's Southern Gothic novels.
Those comparisons are probably the best recommendation that I can make.
Those comparisons are probably the best recommendation that I can make.
September 27, 2021
Well, it's my novel, so I will leave reviews of the story and content to others, beyond the description provided. But I do award the five stars to Jared Shapiro who did the interior design of the "original" paperback from ChiZine. Alas, subsequent ebook versions and print editions could not replicate the original design elements because of excessive file size or design logistics, but the text remains intact.
October 5, 2020
Loved the writing style! Humorous even though it was somewhat of a sad story.
July 6, 2022
This is closer to 2.5. I should’ve heeded the warnings—our narrator reiterates how he is not a good person. But Jeeeeezus. He is so aggressively shitty to people that I became completely indifferent to his ultimate fate. And what a loooooong road it was to get there. The short chapters helped, but I felt as though a significant portion of the book was spent treading water. Maybe proof that some short stories should remain short stories.
December 29, 2020
This is listed as horror.
I legitimately have no idea why, because there's not a single thing about it that's scary.
If you're looking for horror, something that will actually unsettle or scare you, I honestly wouldn't bother.
I legitimately have no idea why, because there's not a single thing about it that's scary.
If you're looking for horror, something that will actually unsettle or scare you, I honestly wouldn't bother.
May 25, 2024
Excellent writing but ambiguous plot.
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