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Hampton Road
I demoni più terrificanti sono quelli reali e creati da te stesso. Cosa faresti se improvvisamente ti svegliassi e ti trovassi in un istituto psichiatrico statale che assomiglia più a una prigione che a un ospedale? Poi, se chiedessi di sapere perché sei stato trattenuto contro la tua volontà, nessuno in quel posto ti darebbe una risposta chiara. E come se non bastasse, hai un grave caso di amnesia. Soprattutto quando ti viene chiesto di raccontare qualche dettaglio su Hampton Road. A quel punto vai nel panico, e tutto quello che riesci a ricordare è un flash accecante. E che tutto ciò che una volta ti era familiare, non lo è più. Quando tua madre viene a trovarti si comporta come un`estranea. E la tua ragazza sembra spaventata dal tuo strano comportamento. Anche il tuo migliore amico sembra essere scomparso nel nulla. Niente sembra reale. Nemmeno tu. Ti senti un impostore. Un falso. E ti senti solo. Terribilmente solo. Benvenuti ad Hampton Road e nell`inquietante mondo del protagonista, un giovane che sembra aver perso tutto, tranne forse il suo ironico senso dell`umorismo.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 13
384 people want to read
About the author
Michael Segedy
53 books38 followersMichael Segedy is an award winning author. Over the years he has lived abroad in faraway places such as Taiwan, Israel, Morocco, and Peru. His life overseas has inspired him to write thrillers that include scenes set in foreign lands.
Novels to date:
Hampton Road, a psychological thriller
In Deep, a political thriller
Cupiditas, a political thriller
Evil's Root, a compilation of In Deep and Cupiditas
EMMA: Emergent Movement of Militant Anarchists, a terrorist thriller
Our Darker Angel, a crime thriller
Sanctimonious Serial Killers, a crime thriller
Apart from writing novels, Michael has published three non-fiction works:
A Critical Look at John Gardner's Grendel
Teaching Literature and Writing in the Secondary Classroom
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson with Introduction, Notes, and Lessons by Michael Segedy
He's also published numerous academic articles about literature and writing in various scholarly journals.
Gwendolyn Brooks, former poet laureate of Illinois, presented him with Virginia English Bulletin's first place writing award.
He and his family currently spend half of the year living in the US and the other half in Lima, Peru.
Novels to date:
Hampton Road, a psychological thriller
In Deep, a political thriller
Cupiditas, a political thriller
Evil's Root, a compilation of In Deep and Cupiditas
EMMA: Emergent Movement of Militant Anarchists, a terrorist thriller
Our Darker Angel, a crime thriller
Sanctimonious Serial Killers, a crime thriller
Apart from writing novels, Michael has published three non-fiction works:
A Critical Look at John Gardner's Grendel
Teaching Literature and Writing in the Secondary Classroom
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson with Introduction, Notes, and Lessons by Michael Segedy
He's also published numerous academic articles about literature and writing in various scholarly journals.
Gwendolyn Brooks, former poet laureate of Illinois, presented him with Virginia English Bulletin's first place writing award.
He and his family currently spend half of the year living in the US and the other half in Lima, Peru.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 25, 2013
I am really glad that I won this book through FirstReads.This book was written for young adults,but it's definately good enough for adults too.I am a big fan of Steven King and in some places style of Michael Segedy is very similar- including good sense of humour.It's a good love story and characters quite unique,I can't complain about anything.
February 7, 2017
really enjoyed this book, though slightly confused plot
February 14, 2022
It was pretty good. Didn’t really know what to expect from this author.
Everything sort of all came together in the end.
Narrator sounded older than I would have expected for the characters but Robert Ferraro still did an excellent job.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Everything sort of all came together in the end.
Narrator sounded older than I would have expected for the characters but Robert Ferraro still did an excellent job.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 29, 2013
This book was reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite.
“Hampton Road” by Michael Segedy is this author’s first novel; he has published two more since the release of this one. This first novel more than adequately demonstrates the author’s extremely talented creative ability.
“Hampton Road” recounts a relationship between three High School students: two boys and one girl. Both of the boys own and drive motorcycles, but one of them is driven by his goal of racing on the professional circuit. When an opportunity arises, this one decides to follow his dream, so he drops out of school, thereby completely alienating himself from the girl’s father, who thereafter prohibits his daughter from associating with such a “loser”. Unfortunately, he is the one boy the girl is most infatuated with, and he reciprocates those feelings for her.
The story is absolutely fascinating as it delves into the lives of these three teens. The way the story unfolds, however, hints to us all along that something major and significant – possibly tragic – is going to happen before the story is over.
The chapters in this book alternate between the recitation of past events, and the present thoughts of one of the boys who apparently is being held in an institution, where a psychologist or psychiatrist tries to help him recover a large gap in his memory. This technique works quite well for this tale, and helps to maintain and enhance the suspense.
Michael Segedy has crafted a heart-wrenching tale of love won and love lost. This is NOT a romance, however; it is a story of life. The final chapters are so utterly unexpected, your jaw will drop. Yet at the same time, in retrospect you realize it almost had to turn out this way. “Hampton Road” is one of the novels you have to read this year. It is one of those stories that come along rarely, which you will find yourself recommending to all your friends. I certainly recommend it to you.
“Hampton Road” by Michael Segedy is this author’s first novel; he has published two more since the release of this one. This first novel more than adequately demonstrates the author’s extremely talented creative ability.
“Hampton Road” recounts a relationship between three High School students: two boys and one girl. Both of the boys own and drive motorcycles, but one of them is driven by his goal of racing on the professional circuit. When an opportunity arises, this one decides to follow his dream, so he drops out of school, thereby completely alienating himself from the girl’s father, who thereafter prohibits his daughter from associating with such a “loser”. Unfortunately, he is the one boy the girl is most infatuated with, and he reciprocates those feelings for her.
The story is absolutely fascinating as it delves into the lives of these three teens. The way the story unfolds, however, hints to us all along that something major and significant – possibly tragic – is going to happen before the story is over.
The chapters in this book alternate between the recitation of past events, and the present thoughts of one of the boys who apparently is being held in an institution, where a psychologist or psychiatrist tries to help him recover a large gap in his memory. This technique works quite well for this tale, and helps to maintain and enhance the suspense.
Michael Segedy has crafted a heart-wrenching tale of love won and love lost. This is NOT a romance, however; it is a story of life. The final chapters are so utterly unexpected, your jaw will drop. Yet at the same time, in retrospect you realize it almost had to turn out this way. “Hampton Road” is one of the novels you have to read this year. It is one of those stories that come along rarely, which you will find yourself recommending to all your friends. I certainly recommend it to you.
June 22, 2013
“Hampton Road” is Michael Segedy’s first novel and an intriguing psychological thriller. The novel follows the life and relationship between three teenagers, Billy, Charlie, and Praxy. Although written about young adults, this novel could just as easily be for adults.
Praxy and Charlie live in the same neighborhood, in a rich section of the city while Billy lives in a much poorer neighborhood. Although the three are best friends, Billy and Praxy are dating. Billy decides to drop out of school to peruse a career as a professional driver in motorcycle races. The novel begins with one of the characters being kept in what seems to be some sort of mental health facility. He can’t remember why he is there or what happened.
The novel starts in the present with a series of flashbacks written from the perspectives of the three main characters. The reader is slowly fed more information as to what exactly happened to the character left in the institution. Segedy does a great job with character development; all three are likeable and incredibly realistic. He has a depth to his characters that many novels written about teenagers’ lack.
While their relationship plays a part in the novel, it is not a romance novel. “Hampton Road” is a novel about life, and the ways people deal with hardship and loss. It is heart wrenching, thought provoking, and full of suspense. I did find the novel to drag a little in the middle, but overall it is a great and worthwhile read. The ending has an exceedingly sad, unexpected twist. You just wont see it coming.
I received this novel through Goodreads First Reads. This in no way influenced my review. I did not receive compensation for, nor was required to, write a review.
Praxy and Charlie live in the same neighborhood, in a rich section of the city while Billy lives in a much poorer neighborhood. Although the three are best friends, Billy and Praxy are dating. Billy decides to drop out of school to peruse a career as a professional driver in motorcycle races. The novel begins with one of the characters being kept in what seems to be some sort of mental health facility. He can’t remember why he is there or what happened.
The novel starts in the present with a series of flashbacks written from the perspectives of the three main characters. The reader is slowly fed more information as to what exactly happened to the character left in the institution. Segedy does a great job with character development; all three are likeable and incredibly realistic. He has a depth to his characters that many novels written about teenagers’ lack.
While their relationship plays a part in the novel, it is not a romance novel. “Hampton Road” is a novel about life, and the ways people deal with hardship and loss. It is heart wrenching, thought provoking, and full of suspense. I did find the novel to drag a little in the middle, but overall it is a great and worthwhile read. The ending has an exceedingly sad, unexpected twist. You just wont see it coming.
I received this novel through Goodreads First Reads. This in no way influenced my review. I did not receive compensation for, nor was required to, write a review.
March 14, 2013
Hampton Road is psychological thriller that will keep you flipping the pages. The story explores the lives of three characters from different sides of the tracks and what happens when their ambitions and dreams collide. This incredible novel introduces you to a host of amazing and memorable characters. The three principal ones are: Billy, a high school dropout/professional motorcycle racer; his best friend Charlie, a college bound, lovestruck teenager; and Praxy, a beautiful, bright high school student whose tortured heart must decide between the two of them. The mystery to the tragedy that impacts their lives is revealed one dark night on Hampton Road where a mind altering incident occurs that will keep you enthralled until the last page of the novel. The rich figurative language used in this artful work of fiction helps you appreciate the internal struggle of a psychologically scarred young man on a quest to find out a terrible mystery about himself that will either save him or destroy him. In this fast paced novel, the author, an ex-professional motorcycle racer himself, reveals his keen knowledge of motorcycle racing and thrills you with the dangers of this exciting sport. Also not to be forgotten, are the numerous comic scenes that will leave you belly-aching. These humorous scenes are dramatically balanced against the suspenseful elements that run like a golden thread through this wonderful mystery novel. In all, Hampton Road will engross you from the very first page to the last.
August 7, 2015
I'm getting old! There are some "Young Adult" books out there that are great for "Adults" too so when I saw the Hampton Road cover and description I assumed that this would be one of them but I was wrong! This book will make you wake up and realize your age. It is listed as a psychological thriller for young adults but I think high school age students specifically would enjoy it the most. The three main characters in the book are two high school kids, Charlie & Praxy and one high school drop-out and motorcycle racer- Billy. The beginning of the story is about how these three kids lives are entwined and then Billy wakes up one day in a mental institute without any idea of why he is there. I personally found myself drifting off about midway through but to be fair, I think that had more to do with the fact that I'm not young and in high school so I couldn't relate as well to the story as a teenager could. The story then leads up to a big climax and twist at the end which is the part I really enjoyed the most. Overall, I think this was a great story but its definitely most appropriate for high school age kids. If you're like me and can't even remember how many years it's been since you graduated high school, then you probably want to pass!
*I won this ARC from Booklikes in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Booklikes!
*I won this ARC from Booklikes in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Booklikes!
October 13, 2013
This book was chosen by one of the members of my book club, and initially I had very high hopes for it based on the very high Amazon reviews.
However, as I worked my way through the story, I found that it dragged on too much. One thing that also nagged at me was the inconsistencies in dialogue with the main character (although some from my book club argued that the twist in the end explained this).
At the end of the day, reading this book until its conclusion felt like a chore. The final twist at the end would have been better had it come sooner, but by the time the twist came — about 85% of the way into the book — I no longer cared for any of the characters or their fates within this book.
**As a side note, the author Michael Segedy reached out to me during the initial posting of this review (it was just the rating without the actual review). He strikes me as an author who is very open to feedback, and he wanted to hear my thoughts regardless of their negative nature. I have to give him due respect there, as a lot of people would not be that open to such critical feedback.
However, as I worked my way through the story, I found that it dragged on too much. One thing that also nagged at me was the inconsistencies in dialogue with the main character (although some from my book club argued that the twist in the end explained this).
At the end of the day, reading this book until its conclusion felt like a chore. The final twist at the end would have been better had it come sooner, but by the time the twist came — about 85% of the way into the book — I no longer cared for any of the characters or their fates within this book.
**As a side note, the author Michael Segedy reached out to me during the initial posting of this review (it was just the rating without the actual review). He strikes me as an author who is very open to feedback, and he wanted to hear my thoughts regardless of their negative nature. I have to give him due respect there, as a lot of people would not be that open to such critical feedback.
January 5, 2016
We start off with Billy. He has no idea where he's really at or why he's being held there against his will. He's being asked by a doctor to recount details about what happened that night on Hampton Road but he just can't remember.
The story goes back and forth from Billy being in his current state of having amnesia to the events that happened during the last couple of months leading up to the incident. These flashbacks are told by Billy, his girlfriend Praxy and his best friend Charlie.
The first chapter was good - it was interesting and humourous. Then the book was okay - some funny lines here and there, but it was all forgettable. Going into detail about motorcycles and the races was boring and a chore to get through sometimes. I didn't like how the ending was put together.
The story goes back and forth from Billy being in his current state of having amnesia to the events that happened during the last couple of months leading up to the incident. These flashbacks are told by Billy, his girlfriend Praxy and his best friend Charlie.
The first chapter was good - it was interesting and humourous. Then the book was okay - some funny lines here and there, but it was all forgettable. Going into detail about motorcycles and the races was boring and a chore to get through sometimes. I didn't like how the ending was put together.
March 14, 2013
This novel had me engaged from the beginning. I enjoyed the shifting character viewpoints and how the viewspoints merged to help solve the mystery. Brilliantly done! I also liked the romance as well and the conflict that emerges when the two young guys fall in love with the same girl. The social class differences of the characters add greatly to the conflicts and make the reader reflect on the factors of social class in forming lasting relationships. I would put this book high on my list of young adult fiction, especially mystery novels for young adults that explore characters in depth. This book reminds me some of Catcher in the Rye and Cormier's After the First Death.
November 5, 2011
This book provided much more than I imagined. The plot itself is masterfully handled with the surprise ending coming as a kind of shock; though after I finished the novel I recalled details that foreshadowed the ending.
I also liked the interaction between the characters, their different social class backgrounds and how class contributed to the conflict.
The commentary on side issues (political and social) was done in an artful, non-didactic way.
In short, this is a novel you will enjoy if you like classic fiction with drama, humor, and wit.
I also liked the interaction between the characters, their different social class backgrounds and how class contributed to the conflict.
The commentary on side issues (political and social) was done in an artful, non-didactic way.
In short, this is a novel you will enjoy if you like classic fiction with drama, humor, and wit.
September 15, 2013
Hampton Road was one of those rare books I didn't like putting down and looked forward to reading every time I came back to it. The mystery behind the boy at the mental institute and the reason he couldn't recall his friend's face kept me spellbound until the climax. And what a climax! Didn't begin to get an inkling of the revelation of the boy's true identity and the reason he was in the mental institute until the last pages.
I would recommend Hampton Road to anyone--teen or adult--who wanted a great mystery full of suspense, humor, love, and anguish.
I would recommend Hampton Road to anyone--teen or adult--who wanted a great mystery full of suspense, humor, love, and anguish.
September 9, 2013
This is a rare treat of a book. It is a young adult coming of age novel that it is loaded with humor and social commentary. The less sophisticated reader probably will not pick up on the foreshadowing and symbolism that are key to seeing how this masterpiece psychological thriller plays out. I love this book and highly recommend it for the mature reader, young or old. Reminds me a lot of The Catcher in the Rye/
December 23, 2015
Book Review: Hampton Road I won this book in a giveaway. Thank you!I love psychological thrillers, so I was super excited to win this book. The storyline and characters are interesting, but the story dragged at times. It took me a while to get through this book because I kept putting the book down every time I got to a boring part. The ending had a nice twist and that made me glad that I finished it.
May 14, 2013
I liked this book very much. There was a little too much detail with the racing and I would have liked to see more dialog, but the story is beautiful. It's about deep friendship and it made me cry, which I love in a book. This author is obviously a very sensitive person. I plan to read more by this author and would recommend this book to anyone who likes stories with some depth.
December 7, 2013
This was a wonderful suspenseful book. To wake up in a mental institute and not be allowed to be let out. For me this is a frightening situation. I would not want to endear. Than having people close to you act as if you are a stranger. This is one of my fears and the author hits on this fear perfectly. I could not put the book down. I am glad I was given the ability to read this book.
September 9, 2013
When I started reading this book I got hooked on trying to figure out what was going on with Billy Solinski, and had a couple guesses that did not pan out. When I reached the ending, it all made sense and left me with goosebumps. The way this book was put together is just amazing, as well as the characterization. A must read for sure!
June 16, 2013
This book didn't live up to the expectations I had. The shifting between characters so frequently made the story hard to follow. I forced myself to read the first one hundred or so pages and ended up just putting it down.
November 5, 2011
Why read about make-believe demons when you can read about the real thing! An Amazing tale of possession and redemption. I loved it and highly reccomend this thrilling mystery.
November 5, 2011
I read it in one sitting. Could not put it down! Not only is it suspenseful and fast moving, it also has hilarious scenes but with a whole lot of social commentary as well.
June 21, 2013
I won Hampton Road in the book giveaway. It is a wonderful, suspense filled young adult book. It really held my interest and had me guessing to the end. Would recommend this!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews