Bill Flanagan (1) (1955–)

This novel was a quick and enjoyable read though it felt a little light at times. Its nostalgic, time‑slip premise was engaging and left the nature of Peter’s experience open to interpretation. I felt the story could do with more depth but it was still an entertaining read that invited reflection on how we view our own lives and what we would do if we could repeat it.

This is such a fantastic rock bio. Flanagan's writing is incredibly engaging, and he does a great job of exploring the thornier issues from every angle. He really captures the zany wonder of a rock tour, with fabulous descriptions of the cities the band visits (I love the section on Tokyo) and tons of great quotes. The members of U2 are wonderful and worthy subjects, and Flanagan more than rises to the task of telling their story. I wish he'd write a sequel with some of their more modern show more adventures! show less

The story of the rock band Ravons, founded in the early 60s, puts out 3 albums, and what happens to the group and its members over the next 35 years. Told from the point of view of a young attorney, hired to spy on the wife of the lead singer, but who becomes their manager. Flanagan knows a lot about rock history and the different styles and circumstances that happened to various groups over the time, and he brings it all to bear here. At times I was afraid that the book was sinking into show more cliche, but he avoided that well, and it's also the case that the characters aren't direct versions of any specific people. It turns out to be quite a good book, memorable in a lot of its details.

That's the last of my rock reading for a while; I have a book on Jerry Lee Lewis at the bedside, but other books are beckoning me first. show less

If you had the chance to live your life over again, knowing everything that you know now, would you take it?

Would you still take it if it meant losing everything you had today?

Would a second chance to correct every mistake and missed opportunity be worth giving up the world you know and the life you have built?

In the spring of 1970, Harvard psychologist Terry Canyon is introduced to Peter, a quiet kid from a wealthy family who has been suspended from ninth grade for stripping off his show more clothes in Algebra class. When Terry asks Peter why he did, the boy explains that he was trying to “shock myself awake.”

It turns out that Peter believes he is a sixty-five-year-old man who went to sleep in his home in New York in the year 2020 and woke up in his childhood bedroom fifty years earlier.

Hilariously depicting Peter’s attempts to fit in as a fifteen-year-old in 1970 and to cope with the tedium, foolishness, and sexual temptations of high school.

Thank you, Goodreads and Tiller Books for the chance to read Fifty in Reverse!

“{Ricky DeVille spoke in class,” Peter said. “My hallucination has departed from reality. I expect to see leprechauns emerging from Pepsi cans and orangutans aloft on silver wings. It’s all wide open now.}”

Fifty in Reverse was a heartfelt funny too fast of a read! This book will be even more appealing to people who enjoy the music from around the 70’s and so on. I am not in my fifties but I didn't feel like I couldn’t understand some of the references made to the past. A nice climb in your favorite relaxing and reading spot, put something in the crook pot and just relax in your happy place and read! Happy reading everyone!

“{Our children pass into another life,” she thought, “where they will be secure and easeful, into which we can never go.”}

“{Peter said, “Are you still with us, Mom?}”

“{I’m right here,” she said.}”

“{The boy looked at her like he knew her thoughts. He said, ”Then we are all where we’re meant to be.}” show less