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Decade
Set in California during the 1960s, the book centres on the lives of a group of young friends.
- GenresFiction
Paperback
First published July 1, 1980
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About the author
Jacqueline Briskin
22 books28 followersJacqueline Briskin (1927-2014) was the New York Times-bestselling author of fourteen historical novels that reflect the tumultuous changes in American society that she witnessed over her lifetime. Complete with dynamic storylines, vibrant characters, and passionate romantic relationships, her novels have sold more than twenty million copies worldwide and have been translated into twenty-six languages.
Briskin was born in London, England, the granddaughter of the chief rabbi of Dublin, Ireland. Her family moved to Beverly Hills, California, to escape Adolf Hitler and religious orthodoxy. A few years later, she married her best friend and the love of her life, Bert, whose family was deeply embedded in Hollywood and the movie business. When Briskin's three children were little more than toddlers, she attended a class at UCLA entitled "The Craft of Fiction." To her surprise, it was a class about writing fiction rather than reading fiction. And so her career began.
Over the next forty years, many of Briskin's books topped the New York Times bestseller list. Her adoptive home of Los Angeles and her husband's old stomping ground of Hollywood often play a prominent role in her meticulously researched books.
Briskin was born in London, England, the granddaughter of the chief rabbi of Dublin, Ireland. Her family moved to Beverly Hills, California, to escape Adolf Hitler and religious orthodoxy. A few years later, she married her best friend and the love of her life, Bert, whose family was deeply embedded in Hollywood and the movie business. When Briskin's three children were little more than toddlers, she attended a class at UCLA entitled "The Craft of Fiction." To her surprise, it was a class about writing fiction rather than reading fiction. And so her career began.
Over the next forty years, many of Briskin's books topped the New York Times bestseller list. Her adoptive home of Los Angeles and her husband's old stomping ground of Hollywood often play a prominent role in her meticulously researched books.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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October 23, 2012Damn, I wish I had this cover,
January 5, 2018
This is a very good read. It might at first glance be considered a light best seller built around the sexual activities of students during the decade of the 60s. A kind of Playboy journalism shooting for credibility but selling on sex. Just look at the book cover for how it was marketed.
The content though transcends the initial pitch the authoress may have used to squeeze out an advance from the publisher. The characters really live and interact at a strong emotional level. The boundaries faced by youth in this decade are explicitly drawn ranging from Vietnam, to legality of homosexuality, the Pill to Civil Rights, politicians as actors to police brutality. The common theme binding all these together is the mutual incomprehension and battle between the parents and their 60s children. The book benefits from the passage of time as written in 1970, nearly 50 years ago it has become a historic document of the time. When combined with the powerful writing that evokes that of James Baldwin the result is a true work of literature and a novel that begs to be re-appraised and re-issued!
The content though transcends the initial pitch the authoress may have used to squeeze out an advance from the publisher. The characters really live and interact at a strong emotional level. The boundaries faced by youth in this decade are explicitly drawn ranging from Vietnam, to legality of homosexuality, the Pill to Civil Rights, politicians as actors to police brutality. The common theme binding all these together is the mutual incomprehension and battle between the parents and their 60s children. The book benefits from the passage of time as written in 1970, nearly 50 years ago it has become a historic document of the time. When combined with the powerful writing that evokes that of James Baldwin the result is a true work of literature and a novel that begs to be re-appraised and re-issued!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2020
Love, love, love this book! I grew up in this period, it really covers a lot of stuff young people go through, both then and now. It has a beautiful, realistic love story, along with other interesting, well-written characters and subplots. The author lived in California, so knows what she is writing about! Highly recommend for anyone interested in the Sixties, and the California Dream lifestyle. I always thought this book should have been made into a movie, it would be great!
November 13, 2009
I remember reading this as a teenager and being disappointed that there wasn't more sex...
March 17, 2022
Took me a while to read it but I thank god for bringing this underrated treasure to my life. Deep down I wish I could be one of them. So so beautiful.
April 10, 2024
Excellent storytelling, captured the 1960s. Captivated with all the characters, especially Ken and Leigh. Initially read in the mid-70s. Wish the publishers would release again in ebook format.
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August 13, 2025dnf! jacqueline has never met a gay person in her life and it shows
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July 7, 2016Well written - bit dated - about '60's.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews