“Falk celebrates California’s sparkling beaches, larger-than-life mountains, and hard-working communities in this memoir.
The geographically majestic state of California, with its powerful ocean waves and spectacular mountaintops, becomes a character itself in the author’s debut memoir, which spans nearly 100 years. Each chapter is set in a uniquely picturesque California spot, with the narrative covering the years from the Great Depression through the Covid-19 pandemic. The most enthralling passages are packed with descriptions of scenery and action, including a treacherous climb up Mt. Clarence King and a frantic run for the border from a Tijuana prison (“The car was silent, with each of us imagining the many horrible things that would happen to us during the inevitable years we would spend with Sinaloan gangsters in the Tijuana jail, trying to make peace with our Gods and our fate”). The author offers readers slices from the life of a young man who took on dangerous waves, rocked out in the Coachella desert, and fought for the community he loved so much. The personal stories provide insight into the people who made California what it is today—they are stories of hard work, struggle, joy, tragedy and, simply, life. Some tales are thrilling; others are simply relatable.
(The) author is intentional with his prose, his pace, and his purpose in writing this memoir; his dedication to family, friends, and California feels completely genuine.
(Steven Falk’s California Story is a) lyrical love letter to California, as lucid as the clear blue sky stretched wide over a mountain.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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This is a wonderful review and spot on! Congratulations!
I was priveledged to read many excerpts in the preview period. Loved them! I recommend this book to all.