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Pepper's Ghost
BEHOLD THE GORILLA-GIRL! Charlotte Alexandra Long is determined to leave all she knows: her ill-fitting office job, her unreliable boyfriend, and the city she has lived in since adolescence. But leaving that life requires leaving her haunted father who wants nothing but the best for her yet reminds her of a past he’s not ready to let go. After joining a traveling amusement company as a sideshow performer, where an old theater trick blurs illusion and reality, Charlotte transforms into Alex who ascends into a star. While wrestling with a spectrum of coworkers, her evolving identity, her troubled father, and her concerned mother, Alex faces an uncertain future that threatens everything she has established. As Pepper’s Ghost weaves in and out of the South and Midwest, Alex must reevaluate who she is and navigate the crossroads of family, memories, and places that challenge her in times of ambiguity and tragedy.
386 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2024
About the author
William Auten
8 books4 followersWilliam Auten is the author of the novels October (2023 quarterfinalist for Coveryfly’s ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition), In Another Sun, and Pepper’s Ghost (2017 Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist for Contemporary Fiction) and the short-story collections Inroads and A Fine Day Will Burn Through. williamauten.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 21, 2016
An interesting read about a young woman trying to find stability against the odds. I enjoyed the heart-warming scenes where Alex spent time with her father. The circus scenes were fun and felt true. An enjoyable read about a girl with great courage to stand up each time life knocked her down.
Thanks to publisher Black Rose Writing, Netgalley and William Auten!
Thanks to publisher Black Rose Writing, Netgalley and William Auten!
November 24, 2016
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.5 of 5
Pepper's Ghost by William Auten is an ambitious coming of age novel as Charlotte Alexandra Long ("Alex") struggles through a series of teen tropes but finds some answers in the circus sideshow where tricks serve as truths.
This is one of the most difficult sorts of books to review. There's nothing specific here that one can point to and say, "This is bad" but at the same time, there's nothing you can point to and say, "This really works." This is about as average a book as you will find.
I never got pulled into the story and Alex remained just a character in a book. Coming-of-age stories are pretty common fare for YA books, but if the central figure is distant or aloof, or otherwise doesn't capture the reader's attention, then the book becomes just another story instead of an adventure that you care about.
What drew me to the book was the circus theme. It's a popular theme in books today (it's hard to find a best-seller shelf that doesn't have at least one book set in or around a circus) but it's popular for a reason. Circus are fun and full of promise and mystery and just a little magic. But the inclusion of a circus also means that there's a bit of a promise from the author to the reader for that magic and I just didn't feel it.
There were little moments that I enjoyed though it ended a little easily and neatly.
Looking for a good book? Pepper's Ghost by William Auten is a tepid, average read.
I received a digital copy from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
Pepper's Ghost by William Auten is an ambitious coming of age novel as Charlotte Alexandra Long ("Alex") struggles through a series of teen tropes but finds some answers in the circus sideshow where tricks serve as truths.
This is one of the most difficult sorts of books to review. There's nothing specific here that one can point to and say, "This is bad" but at the same time, there's nothing you can point to and say, "This really works." This is about as average a book as you will find.
I never got pulled into the story and Alex remained just a character in a book. Coming-of-age stories are pretty common fare for YA books, but if the central figure is distant or aloof, or otherwise doesn't capture the reader's attention, then the book becomes just another story instead of an adventure that you care about.
What drew me to the book was the circus theme. It's a popular theme in books today (it's hard to find a best-seller shelf that doesn't have at least one book set in or around a circus) but it's popular for a reason. Circus are fun and full of promise and mystery and just a little magic. But the inclusion of a circus also means that there's a bit of a promise from the author to the reader for that magic and I just didn't feel it.
There were little moments that I enjoyed though it ended a little easily and neatly.
Looking for a good book? Pepper's Ghost by William Auten is a tepid, average read.
I received a digital copy from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2016
Pepper's Ghost by William Auten is a YA read that will lure readers into its depth. The young character, Charlotte Alexandra, aka Alex, is interesting. She is unlike most leading female characters. What she really is surprised me...her journey was one wild roller-coaster ride after another. The dynamics of family life are played throughout this read. The parents make the life for Alex a bit more complex than should be. I liked how as a main character she was constantly challenged. Alex took on each challenge moving through life the best she could do. Sometimes things worked out and sometimes not. William Auten portrayed the realities of life along with fantasy in way the just made readers like myself more curious. Memories...and emotions were strong, it was easy to be swept up within them. Pepper's Ghost is a coming of age tale that comes off as entertaining, mysterious, and deep. The plot was developed and the pace was steady. Overall, I recommend it to all.
May 21, 2016
I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of places and characters.
May 31, 2016
Took it a while to get going for me, but a good heartfelt story.
August 4, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed. Nice easy read. Very much recommended
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews