The Hindenburg Crashes Nightly

by Greg Hrbek

In the summer of 1975, Thomas Markham is a slight boy of ten, Lindsey Paris a troubled girl of eighteen. When Tom's mother dies in childbirth, his family is shattered and he surrenders to the warm embrace of college-bound Lindsey, who is all too familiar with pain and lonliness. What they share in the darkness of that tragic summer binds them together and haunts them far into the future. Fifteen years later, in San Francisco, Tom and Lindsey discover their feelings are stronger than ever--and they commence an affair charged with guilt and eroticism. Lindsey's husband, Philip, harbors growing suspicions, while her lesbian ex-lover, Nile, creates a new triangle of sensual deception. With the arrival of Matthew, Tom's runaway brother, tangled histories of silence and lies begin to unravel. As the group attempts to make sense of love and suffering, Thomas moves closer to the troubling questions of his childhood and the meaning of his own identity. In vivid and lyrical prose, award-winning novelist Greg Hrbek makes an astonishing debut with this journey into the heart and soul of romantic need--its beauties, punishments and unexpected redemptions.

368 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1999

About the author

Greg Hrbek's "Not on Fire, but Burning" was a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice and an NPR Best Book of 2015. His first novel, "The Hindenburg Crashes Nightly," won the James Jones First Novel Award. His short stories have appeared in Harper's Magazine, Tin House, and The Best American Short Stories anthology. A first collection of stories, "Destroy All Monsters," was awarded the 2010 Prairie Schooner Prize in Fiction.

Reviews

[Laura Buechler · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me all 368 pages of this book to determine that I didn't like it. The timeline jumps around a lot, which is common in many novels these days, but there didn't seem to be a reason to make that jumpiness worthwhile. I had no real empathy for the main character - perhaps because his motivations seemed ungrounded and fickle. The story itself had some interesting lot points, but never really paid off. I think the thing that irritated me the most is that the title of the book - which we soon find out has to do with the main character's career as a film-maker - has nothing at all to do with the story, since his work is only mentioned peripherally, as a foil to the major plot elements. So the title seemed like just some kind of attention-grabbing device. This book wishes it had been written by John Irving.

[John Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

In beautifully written prose, the story traces the affairs and betrayals of two characters who spent their lives circling one another after finding each other amid their childhood traumas (sexual abuse and parental death). The characters aren't likeable, but they are compelling, and the resolution isn't happy as much as it is a conclusion to something that couldn't keep going on.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Hrbek's writing fits very much in the Michael Chabon/Jonathan Lethem millieu, but he seems less well known than either of them-- possibly because he is less prolific (more than 15 years separated the publication of his two novels). It's unfortunate, because I think he deserves the same level of recognition. In fact, I would even contend that Hrbek is a flat-out better writer than than Lethem.

The Hindenburg Crashes Nightly is not only a story about characters and their relationships, but also about the places and the times where they lived. The characters drive the story, but the settings have their own truth and reality as well. The ability to create such a strong sense of place in a story is a skill that I immensely respect in an author, and Hrbek does it so beautifully. The plot delighted me as well. I thought I was reading a novel about characters who were tied together by bonds that would ultimately destroy them, but it turned out to be a story of redemption and forgiveness. Not in a syrupy Hollywood ending way, but in a human, satisfying way. I loved the geeked out references to plastic models, and the kaiju and stop motion stuff, too. It resonated with me on many levels; as though I was on the same frequency as the characters. In many ways their lives were different from mine, but I still identified with them in universal ways. I'm completely in awe of this book-- it gave me the feeling that I was experiencing a perfect, concise, beautifully constructed edifice.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely do I like a story that has sentences that seem to go on and on to the point that I forget what the original point even was, BUT, I absolutely loved this book. Yes, he does write long, sometimes rambling sentences and the time frame does jump from chapter to chaper but every time I started reading this I just felt like I was floating along on this current of words. It didn't matter if it was Tom and Lindsey as kids or the adult versions of them, either way I was caught up in all of their emotions and feelings and really felt like I was experiencing everythiing right there with them whatever they were doing. The whole way thru the story I found myself rooting for Tom and Lindsey to finally be together as they were meant to be.
I thought it was a truly beautiful book and I would hope Mr. Hrbek continues to write and take me along on another great summer read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite novels set in San Francisco. About a love triangle between Lindsey and Tom (childhood friends) and Nile (first Lindsey's lover, then Tom's), the story captures San Francisco's neighborhoods, bridges, and sparkly decorative Christmas lights as sources of longing in their own right, not just as a backdrop for the characters' lust and angst. Hrbek could have plumbed the motivations of his characters a bit more deeply in some sections of the book, but the idea of loss as a bond between lovers--more powerful than sheer lust or novelty--is a provocative one. I read the book when moving back to the city from relatively ugly Washington, D.C., and its emotion-laden urban dreamscape haunted me all the way.

[Heather Stock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it was well written and I enjoyed the characters. This was one of those books that I had on the bookshelf for awhile and I'm glad I finally read it. The chapters flip between different timelines and characters, but I found it easy to follow. I liked the story and love trianges between the characters, Tom and Lindsay, her husband and ex lover Nile. A well written story about pain, deceit and teenage angst. Highly recommended.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, here's a strange one. Despite their clinging co-dependencies, neurotic failings, and shitloads of guilt, the protagonists manage to find each other, and get their act together despite some major obstacles. The characters were all likable even if the plot was improbable. Well written and thoughtful.

[Lenore Gay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished The Hindenburg Crashes Nightly. A compelling read. Hrbek's ability to move inside a character and track him though the book is rare. The point of view is tight and the reader is with him throughout. The book was first published in 1999. It isn't dated. I recommend it highly.

Lenore Gay

[Bill G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This line sums up why I love the book, it is from the first paragraph:
"She was barefoot and I had to pee."
Excellent story about a young boy and a young girl who's lives keep coming together. One trying to deal with her past, the other trying to make a future.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not always easy to follow, but I couldn't put it down. The Hindenburg Crashes Nightly will always be one of my favorites, because it was the first "grown-up" book I read. I fell into emotion.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

an emotionally charged story of parallel lives - reminded me of Endless Love by Scott Spencer.

[Jessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of two children who fall in love way to young and how this follows them through adulthood. The battles they both engage in to ignore and embrace this love and where it leads them.

[Mordecai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky, odd, and sometimes disturbing tale expertly told by a writer of great talent.