The Promise of Paradise Park

By Patricia J D Reynolds

It is the time of Patsy Cline and listening to the Red Sox and Yankee Games on a transistor radio. The main character in The Promise of Paradise Park is an adolescent girl, Vicky, who describes impassioned experiences within her family and within the neighborhood surrounding Paradise Park. Themes in the novel center around family life, diversity, alcoholism, murder, compassion, and coming of age. Vicky's naivete to dangerous situations with men is a constant worry for her mother. Often times, mother and daughter are in conflict over these situations. Vicky describes the dynamic family life that surrounds her. Her grandparents and Uncle Marky, live below Vicky and her family, in a third story apartment building. Sometimes there is a commotion down below. Above Vicky, lives Mrs. Golecki and her two older sons. Vicky's grandmother is jealous of Mrs. Golecki and displays animosity toward her. Members of Vicky's family have adverse reactions to alcohol leading to dire consequences. When the family needs to work together, including aunts and cousins who live in the neighborhood, they do so with compassion for each other. The neighborhood is diverse and Vicky enjoys the musical spirit of her black neighbors. At one point, Vicky and a friend, end up at a lesbian party at Halloween time. The law of eminent domain has a major effect on the family and the neighborhood that Vicky lives in. The family had to make major adjustments to their life plans. Much of their lives centered around Vicky's father's Liquor Store, and her grandparents' Grocery Store. Vicky had a friend, Bobby. Here is an excerpt describing their relationship.Bobby and I had our favorite spot in the cemetery, the area where gravestones from the 1800's stood, many with letters smoothed by the weather. Bobby and I liked to read the dates and the names on the markers. It appeared that a Mr. Suddy and his wife died young. He was 38, and she was 36. Their son died at 15. The three were buried side by side. Bobby and I wondered what had happened to them. Did they die in a fire or from an illness, or from something different? Bobby said there were many farm accidents years ago. We looked at the gravestones and wondered what life was like back then. Were the people all farmers? How'd they travel? Were there any snacks to eat? What games did the children play? Did they have time to play? We had question after question about the past. Vicky's intense experiences continue when she spends a summer with a friend, Barbara, at the beach. She meets two British couples, Pinkee and Earl and Martha and Reggie. and their housemaid, Elouise. A dangerous drama ensues with them. The teenagers enjoy the beach, including a concert by the Beachboys. Vicky enjoys her freedom at the beach away from her mother. Returning home, Vicky found that the promise of Paradise Park carried her and her family thru the difficult times.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B08C97TBSK
• ISBN13: 9798653776618
• Release Date: June 2020
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"