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No Lifeguard on Duty

by Paul C. Bomba (Goodreads Author)

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Buzz Anryu said: " "No Lifeguard On Duty", by Paul C. Bomba is the compelling story of three teen age friends, set against the backdrop of the 1970 street riots in the Jersey Shore town of Asbury Park. Adam is the sensitive,moody, impulsive, questioning seeker of mean "No Lifeguard On Duty", by Paul C. Bomba is the compelling story of three teen age friends, set against the backdrop of the 1970 street riots in the Jersey Shore town of Asbury Park. Adam is the sensitive,moody, impulsive, questioning seeker of meaning; the son of Stan and Vera Dobek, a working class Polish American family who live just a few blocks from the boardwalk. Molly is the pretty, deeply troubled daughter of the wealthy and ruthless Patrick Blake; they live in New York City and spend summers in Asbury. Howard is the clever, wise-cracking, street wise, and faithful friend to both Adam and Molly. He is the son of Greg and Diana Gaines, an African American family struggling to stay safe and together on the edge of Asbury's West Side, where the riots are waging. This certainly is a "Coming of Age" story about the troubled and tangled lives of three young friends, full of both exuberance and adolescent angst. But it is also a detailed and poignant account of the teenagers and their families caught up in the turmoil of the riots, as well as the madness and cruelty of a society that insists on dividing people against each other based on race, sex, and socioeconomic class, despite our common humanity and oneness of nature.
There are several "action" scenes of cinematic quality that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.The scene in which Howard is rescued from the height of violence on Springwwod Avenue by the compassionate and determined drag queen, Michael is exceptionally well executed---their thrilling escape across police barriers and out of harm's way, while dressed in drag has acrazy slapstick quality, yet at the same time is very suspenseful. Bomba has a real knack for action scenes. The scene between Howard and Michael in the deserted bar is just one of the novel,s poignant encounters of real human connection despite the surrounding chaos.
You will also find plenty of interesting history here, surprising an startling truths about the real and often denied history of Asbury Park. The sense of place that Bomba creates is remarkable. Street by street, iconic images of the Casino, the sounds and smells of the boardwalk and beach as well as the rhythms of the West Side and Cookman Ave. (is that Springsteen's band I hear in the background?) The town of Asbury Park is a star here, so clearly and vividly depicted, it becomes yet another major character in the story.
Speaking of Characters, each character in the story steadily develops and grows (for better or worse) as the novel progresses. Dialogue and suggestive physical detail are subtly employed by the author to create nuanced lief-like characters. although several characters are memorable, for me the central character of the book, the character from which the very plot, the interweaving of family histories, the intrigue, mystery, and complex themes emerge is Muriel Mckinnon. The White uniform clad Muriel ---the real heroine of the story--emerges more clearly in every section of the novel . We learn through her experiences to what extent black women of the 50s and 60s were made to endure cruel indignities and injustices.

P.C. Bomba's writing is clear and concise, highly descriptive and concrete, rich in evocative imagery and telling detail--- you will want to re-read certain passages over again, just to enjoy the quality of language and beauty of the images.

This is an ambitious, and quite a long novel, but you will not mind the length. Bomba has organized it exceptionally well into sections and short chapters; you will be continuously engaged and challenged and entertained throughout. Kudos! Paul C. Bomba! It is a real page turner! I highly recommend this novel!

Buzz Anryu ...more "

May 09, 2023 01:00PM · see review