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Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. by Bruce Springsteen
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. by Bruce Springsteen
1973 | Compilation
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"This is Bruce’s first album and probably one of his best. There’s a richness and naïvety on this record that ends up in these lyrical paintings that speak something dear to my heart. It’s about my home, and it’s in a language I understand. I always felt like this was “our” record. The people like “us” who were outcasts growing up. It’s one part Dylan, one part Van Morrison, and then there’s this Marlon Brando part that encapsulates the beautiful losers. There aren’t any winners on this record, only people in “Lost in the Flood.” Even the brighter moments have a sadness to them. “Does this Bus Stop at 82nd Street?” says it well: “Drink this and you’ll grow wings on your feet.” Since reality is so hard, at some point the fantasy takes over. Fantasy, and die hard belief in a different life just over the horizon. It’s that fantasy of rock and roll that some people are too affected to believe in anymore. But this record helps me keep the faith in the childlike wonder of music, and rock and roll in particular. This was my rulebook starting out writing songs. It still is. For the lost, for the lovers, for the crazies, and everyone in between—""For You."" It was like he was saying to me and everyone I knew who lost but believed in spite of those losses, you could still win. “I came for you.”"

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This book was fantastic in its complexity. I have never read a book by Carla Laureano before, even though I know she is a well-known Christian Fiction romance author. I just have not picked up her books. Now I am definitely going back and reading them. In this fantasy novel, I found so much depth, intrigue, and growth. The characters were very well laid out, had fantastic arcs, and the first part of the story was told from a male POV, which I had never read before.

The world in which Carla Laureano immersed me was like no other. I loved the Isle of Seare and how it was intricately built through the pages, and I liked the different cultures of the four different kingdoms. I for one have always been fascinated by our faith in a theological sense and I loved how Carla Laureano wove different aspects of it into this story. It added a touch of realism that was interesting.

Overall, this book was one fantastic read that left me breathless with wanting more (bring on the next book soon please!), had some twists I did not see coming and filled me with a sense of wonder. I definitely recommend putting this one on your soon to be read list. 4 out of 5 stars!

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.