This story, making use of elements taken from H.P. Lovecraft, is set in rural Pennsylvania during the last days of the closure of a mental hospital. I have worked in Psychiatric Centers in older buildings in the past. Mr. Carl has done a fine job in describing the haunted people and places found in such a setting; older buildings always seemed to me to definitely hold onto the spirit of all who have been present, both in the past and the now. There is an element of black humor, and of lust, which rings true. These are things which help to maintain your sanity when amongst the unsane. It seems as if Mr. Carl writes from personal experience; I would love to sit down with the author and compare notes.
The story was riveting and fast paced for the most part. There were times in the first third when the story seemed to drag a bit. Upon reflection I feel this was done so that the reader’s attention had to dwell on the uncomfortable, macabre elements of the story. The story moves rapidly to the end before coming to the denouement of this tale. The love stories brought up during the course of this tale come to tragic ends. Buildings, communities and lives are twisted asunder by Mr. Carl.
I feel that this fascinating story could have benefited from better copy editing, hence only 3 ½ stars. As we all know there is not enough time to read everything we would like to. I am glad that I had the chance, due to the Early Reviewers program, to read this tale.
The story was riveting and fast paced for the most part. There were times in the first third when the story seemed to drag a bit. Upon reflection I feel this was done so that the reader’s attention had to dwell on the uncomfortable, macabre elements of the story. The story moves rapidly to the end before coming to the denouement of this tale. The love stories brought up during the course of this tale come to tragic ends. Buildings, communities and lives are twisted asunder by Mr. Carl.
I feel that this fascinating story could have benefited from better copy editing, hence only 3 ½ stars. As we all know there is not enough time to read everything we would like to. I am glad that I had the chance, due to the Early Reviewers program, to read this tale.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
David W. Temple, in this profusely illustrated work, tells us more than most of us ever expected to know about the Motorama exhibitions of the 1950’s. Mr. Temple has done a masterful job in interviewing many participants and witnesses of the time, and bringing their stories to light. I salute his evident research skills.
The phrase Motorama is often used when denoting concept cars in general. Mr. Temple corrects this misunderstanding and concerns himself with the traveling auto exhibitions which GM put on in the ‘50’s held under the name. Information is also included about other automotive exhibitions not called Motorama (both in and outside the United States.) An understanding of how advanced and freethinking the Art and Colour Section of GM (under the tutelage of Harley Earl and others) emerges. Earl professed the need to not be too radical in advancing design at any one time, however, it seems that the Art and Colour Section did not always adhere to this design philosophy. After this brief introduction about the origins of the Dream Car and the origins of Motorama we get into the meat of the book.
We begin our journey in New York City in 1953, appropriately enough, with the Corvette concept car. We then proceed through the rest of that years line up. Separate chapters cover the Motorama’s held throughout the mid 50’s. Each year’s offerings are fully presented with all the details that Temple was able to gather. The many photographs, plentifully located show more throughout, help to illustrate this era of GM’s history. By time we reach the final Motorama in 1961 it was easy to feel overwhelmed. A wide ranging gamut of information was presented : from technical specs to chassis history and much in between. Many stories of these legendary cars, and their evolution, were lovingly shared. It still amazes me to think that many design elements (foreshadowed in the Motorama’s) are just coming into general usage.
Survivors from the time have predominantly ended up in private collections. Fortunately, surviving examples of automotive art have shown up in exhibits open to the public (such as “Driven by Design: Imagination in Motion” held in 2013 at the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich, MA.).
The joy and passion Temple has for the Motorama, and the cars from that era, show on every page. The findings of this volume are based on extensive interviews with the participants and witnesses, as well as the meticulous, careful research referred to above. Many new facts have been uncovered since the publication of an earlier volume by Mr. Temple covering this area of GM automotive history. Anyone with an interest in subject could do no better than to pick up this book. The illustrations and photographs (wide ranging, many from unexpected sources, and many never before published) are by themselves well worth the cost. show less
The phrase Motorama is often used when denoting concept cars in general. Mr. Temple corrects this misunderstanding and concerns himself with the traveling auto exhibitions which GM put on in the ‘50’s held under the name. Information is also included about other automotive exhibitions not called Motorama (both in and outside the United States.) An understanding of how advanced and freethinking the Art and Colour Section of GM (under the tutelage of Harley Earl and others) emerges. Earl professed the need to not be too radical in advancing design at any one time, however, it seems that the Art and Colour Section did not always adhere to this design philosophy. After this brief introduction about the origins of the Dream Car and the origins of Motorama we get into the meat of the book.
We begin our journey in New York City in 1953, appropriately enough, with the Corvette concept car. We then proceed through the rest of that years line up. Separate chapters cover the Motorama’s held throughout the mid 50’s. Each year’s offerings are fully presented with all the details that Temple was able to gather. The many photographs, plentifully located show more throughout, help to illustrate this era of GM’s history. By time we reach the final Motorama in 1961 it was easy to feel overwhelmed. A wide ranging gamut of information was presented : from technical specs to chassis history and much in between. Many stories of these legendary cars, and their evolution, were lovingly shared. It still amazes me to think that many design elements (foreshadowed in the Motorama’s) are just coming into general usage.
Survivors from the time have predominantly ended up in private collections. Fortunately, surviving examples of automotive art have shown up in exhibits open to the public (such as “Driven by Design: Imagination in Motion” held in 2013 at the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich, MA.).
The joy and passion Temple has for the Motorama, and the cars from that era, show on every page. The findings of this volume are based on extensive interviews with the participants and witnesses, as well as the meticulous, careful research referred to above. Many new facts have been uncovered since the publication of an earlier volume by Mr. Temple covering this area of GM automotive history. Anyone with an interest in subject could do no better than to pick up this book. The illustrations and photographs (wide ranging, many from unexpected sources, and many never before published) are by themselves well worth the cost. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.