This is the third Charlie Lovett book that I've read and I have tremendous admiration for him as an author. His knowledge of antiquarian books is deftly woven into his stories in such a way that the reader learns a bit about collecting books and researching titles, but this never becomes tedious--in fact, just the opposite. It was my favorite part of this book.

ESCAPING DREAMLAND is a wonderful story, but the structure Lovett chose for this novel made it challenging for me to initially bond with the book. The three characters whose lives intersect in turn-of-the-Century New York were well-conceived and each interesting in their own way---but meeting them in separate chapters (while simultaneously fast-forwarding 100 years for alternating chapters) just bogged me down for a while.  Once I found the rhythm of the book, I enjoyed it---but it took a long time to get there.

The historical characters were definitely the most colorful and interesting to me. The contemporary protagonist was just too angst-filled for my taste and it took him way too long to "find his way."  But, those are personal character preferences--a reader doesn't need to marry a book's hero, so I can get over it.

There was a lot to like in ESCAPING DREAMLAND, particularly for those of us who learn their history through historical novels.  The scenes of seedy New York club life (and high life), the striving to escape one's family destiny, and the dreams of women who are not offered a chance for meaningful work .  . . . these social vignettes are vibrantly illustrated by Lovett as he unfolds his story.

NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.

excellent book! I loved the contrast of modern and past situations in the book. None of the characters have anything in common except their loves of books! This was a great read!

This book brings four characters, all living in NYC, one in present time, the rest in the early years of the 20th century. What all characters have in common is the love for books and writing the stories themselves. And how books influenced them in their childhoods.

NYC, 2010. Robert Parrish is a novelist. After a few successful publications, now he is struggling with a new inspiration. It is something from the past that gnaws at him. He pulls a box unopened for sixteen years, which contains old books in children’s series. But one book is missing and he goes in search for it.

In 1899, it was difficult for a woman to have her independence. So Magda Hertzenbergers hopes that 1900, the new century will bring new beginnings. Magda works for a publisher, answering the fan mail.

Thomas De Peyster, born into privilege, is expected to be a banker, but he craves the freedom he sees in characters in the stories he reads. He becomes a reporter.

Eugene Pinkney’s family comes from Jewish ancestors, but they do not practice the religion nor do they talk about it. Which on the other hand, only fuels Eugene’s curiosity. In childhood, he is drawn to scientific books. His fascination with achievements of Thomas Edison leads him to a job for Tesla. Now, someone is trying to convince him to write a story, instead of what he is used to - writing scientific articles.

As the story begins, it brings all those characters separately. So the puzzle is spread. 10% or 15% to the story, when I hoped those characters would start coming together. They don’t and it’s mentioned in the story that you would think on one particular day all those characters mingling in NYC would come together, but they don’t. So this is done on purpose. It takes probably another 15% to see some connection slowly forming among those characters.

There is certainly uniqueness to the way the story is written and it may resonate with other readers, but personally I wished for a better cohesion. The best I can describe it is - when one connection was happening, then at least two more pieces of puzzle were added and that’s when I was becoming more and more disconnected from the interesting characters. Because that’s what kept me reading the characters.

As much as I love books and found the premise interesting, in reality all being about books and writing them turn out to be a bit too much.

Of I could I would give this book 20 gold stars.  Pitch perfect.  Wonderful historical references, multi-layered characters.  I loved every word.  "Lovett’s most recent novel, Escaping Dreamland (Blackstone, 2020), is a book about four authors in New York City. Much of the book is set in the early 20th century, and explores not just historic New York, but the lives of three young people writing series books for children (think The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew). The book is an homage to the books of our childhood, to New York City, and above all to love and friendship. "