Readers' Comments for Palisades Park

In March, a select group of readers who participated in one of our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight contests won copies of PALISADES PARK by Alan Brennert. Growing up in the 1930s, there is no more magical place than Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey --- especially for seven-year-old Antoinette (nicknamed “Toni”) and her brother, Jack. However, both their father and Jack face the dangers of war, while their mother has ambitions of her own --- and Toni is determined to take on a very different kind of danger in impossible feats as a high diver. Yet they are all drawn back to each other --- and to Palisades Park --- until the park closes forever in 1971. Take a look at some of the readers' comments to give you more insight into this novel about people and places and how they connect.

Karen
I just finished reading PALISADES PARK and enjoyed it very much. I would recommend it to my friends, but I would prepare them that it is not what I typically suggest --- it is not a cutting edge deep investigation into a human drama, or a caustic but honest love story, or a brutal look at family life. Rather, PALISADES PARK is a gentle, educational tour of sorts through the years and through a specific geographic region of America, which came into focus through the lens of an iconic amusement park. Palisades Park --- its rides, its denizens, its calamities, catastrophes and celebrations --- are all the perfect backdrop for a history lesson!

Shirley
I really did enjoy this book. I could imagine myself going through the times with the characters. I really got to know and love the characters (especially Toni). I loved reading about the history, and I felt that it was written pretty accurately, too. You almost didn't want the story to end. It was very enjoyable. 

Ruby
Wonderful read, well done narrative of regular people in situations that we can relate to. The characters make believable choices and show how dreams and perseverance can make a difference. I highly recommend this book.

Linda
The book, PALISADES PARK, written by Alan Brennert, is excellent. It is a novel that is character driven. You easily become invested in the lives of all the characters. The story covers almost 50 years at Palisades Park in New Jersey. The people are mostly the people and their families who work in the park for the summer months when the park was opened. I would recommend this book to anyone, but I think baby boomers might enjoy it more than the younger generation. Again, I can only repeat it was an excellent book.

Jean
I won the book PALISADES PARK and what a wonderful read. The story had a lot of history about the park. I could hardly wait to see how Toni managed her family’s life. I could hardly wait for a free moment so I could read more of the book. I am passing this book on to my daughter as a must-read. Thanks for an enjoyable trip back into history.