Review - Arboria Park
Title: Arboria Park
Author: Kate Tyler Wall
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Synopsis from Goodreads: Stacy Halloran has lived most of her life in 1950s-era housing development Arboria Park. But her beloved neighborhood may not survive much longer. Despite her parents' entreaties to "stay in the yard where it's safe," the Park is where young Stacy roams in quest of "real life." Through her wanderings, she learns about the area's agricultural history; meets people from backgrounds different than her own; watches her siblings develop interracial and same-sex relationships; helps launch the local punk-rock scene; and finally, settles as a wife and mother. As the neighborhood declines (along with her relationship with her mother), Stacy considers moving on to rescue herself and her daughter. But then a massive highway project threatens the ever-resilient Park--and it's Stacy's task to rally family, friends, and neighbors to save it.
My Review: I really enjoyed this story. However the book didn’t seem like what it was touted to be. The synopsis would lead us to believe that the story is about a girl named Stacy growing up and falling in love with where she lived and then fighting to save the neighborhood she loves. While that does happen it is far more of a secondary plot. The true story is about Stacy’s life and the way that life changes for her, her family and the neighborhood. I enjoyed the insight into the way the historical events in America played a role in Stacy’s family. The book to me seemed to be more of a social commentary on the changing societal rules and roles in America from the 60’s to the 2000’s and the way they impacted one family. The mother played the role of the intolerant, allowing the reader into the plight of intersex and interracial couples during the time. There was also a history of the changing music scenes from each decade which was interesting to read about. It was only at the end of the book that the book that the fight for the neighborhood began and it was a minor part. While I found the whole book enjoyable I found myself wishing for more of the fight part.
*I received this book from BookSparks in exchange for an honest review*