"That’s the thing about New York…She will eventually give up her secrets, but only to those who are persistent in their pursuit.

Robert Parrish's love of reading began in childhood and inspired his profession to become an author. However, after his 1st book was published and interviews began, Robert began retreating into himself. His relationship with his girlfriend Rebecca crumbling until she left. Robert didn't want her to go but knew he would have to break his silence to address Rebecca's questions. The secret haunted him, leaving him without words for Rebecca or a new novel—the secret of the worst day of his life and the promise not fulfilled to his father.

The book drew my attention because of Robert's childhood reading series books (e.g., Hardy Boys, Great Marvel, The Tremendous Trio). As I began reading, I learned Rebecca had read Nancy Drew and Cherry Ames, and I smiled as I had too.

In the best of ways, Charlie Lovett's book is a love letter, not an epistolary novel, because it is not a book of letters. But a love letter of an author's creativity in developing a moving story told in dual timelines that allows the reader to reminisce and celebrate childhood reading, childhood memories of loved books shared from generation to generation, bookish friends, to imagine places of the past, to remember historical events, to reflect on history, for the iconic NY Public Library including branch libraries, NY Historical Society, newspaper accounts in NY Newspapers, and the hidden gems past and present in New York, New York.

Finally, don't miss reading the author's Acknowledgements. ( )

Historical tragedies shape the lives of three authors of a children’s series. In a parallel story, a modern writer searches for answers about the authors of his favorite stories from childhood. A story about how stories connect writers and readers through time. ( )

I love books about books and writing and Escaping Dreamland is a great addition to the genre.

Told via dual timelines - New York City in 2010 and in the early 1900s - the story revolves around a series of children's books featuring the Tremendous Trio. Robert Parrish, a newly successful writer, grew up loving these books after being introduced to them by his father and grandfather and finds himself drawn to find out what happened to one of the unfinished stories. Madga, Eugene and Tom are three very different people living in New York in 1906 who eventually come together and overcome their own personal demons to write the Tremendous Trio books under pen names. As Robert continues to research the genesis of the books, we follow the authors' lives at the turn of the century as they intertwine and unfold.

It took me about a third of the book to get invested in the story and characters but once I did, I was all in. Listening to this story reminded me how few books I read with male protagonists and I enjoyed having a different POV. I wish the narrator had a bit more range but overall, he did a good job and I really enjoyed this audiobook.

Thanks to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and the author for an advanced listening copy to review. ( )

Charlie Lovett knows how to find literary topics that I can't resist. From book collecting in The Bookman's Tale to Jane Austen in First Impressions to the Holy Grail in The Lost Book of the Grail (my favorite), this man has put a stranglehold on my imagination and my attention. In Escaping Dreamland, he's done it again.

Probably the best thing Lovett has done is to bring back many wonderful memories of the books I loved as a child. A favorite scene in the book is the one in which Parrish visits an elderly collector who tells him about saving his ten-cent allowance for five weeks so that his father would take him to Brentano's Bookstore on Fifth Avenue so he could buy the latest book in his favorite series. I learned so much fascinating history about children's serial fiction in Escaping Dreamland that I'm tempted to make time to read some again. Lovett weaves one memorable scene after another into his story: the San Francisco earthquake, John Singer Sargent painting a portrait, the General Slocum disaster, visiting Dreamland on Coney Island... He brings Gilded Age America (and in particular, New York City) to life, and if you're the type of reader who is concerned about the appearance of historical characters in a work of fiction, read Lovett's notes at the end of the book.

All the characters in the book except Parrish's girlfriend Rebecca have demons to fight. Only Robert's demon is left unspoken until the end, but it's rather easy to deduce. If there's one thing I don't particularly like about Escaping Dreamland, it is the "magic box" at the end, but at least the entirety of the lives of the three characters from the earlier timeline are not served up to Parrish on a silver platter. Readers know more than he does, and I like that.

I'm looking forward to Lovett's next book. It's not often that you find an author who knows how to get a grip on both your heart and your mind, and Charlie Lovett is one of those writers for me. If you're a fan, you've got a treat in store. If you've never heard of him before, I highly recommend this man's books. He knows how to tell a tale.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley.) ( )

Escaping Dreamland by Charlie Lovett is a Historical Split Time Fiction. The story shifts between the 20th Century and the 21st Century. This latest book is about authors and the many influences that shape their lives and writing. There are interesting historical details and events especially about New York. The main characters choose unorthodox lives that seem to lead to unhappiness, but at the same time acceptance of what happens in their lives.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars ( )