Dream Train [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Charlotte Vale Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1988

An assignment to write about the Orient Express offers photojournalist JoannaJames a new view of herself and of others.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Joanna James, a photojournalist in her mid-30s, isn't as thrilled as one might expect when she receives a coveted assignment to ride the Orient Express to Venice for a five-day stay in the sumptuous Hotel Cipriani. Putting off a much needed rest, she flies to London to catch the famed luxury train. There she racks up not one, but two affairs with distinctly different men: Henry, a wryly funny Englishman who practically sleeps in three-piece suits, and Tyler, a wilder, creative genius. Although her journey on the Orient Express offers a respite from these swiftly overheating entanglements, Joanna finds it difficult to regain her accustomed, self-protective emotional detachment. As the train chugs sedately through the European countryside, she strikes up warm and intimate friendships with the other passengers. Everyone, it seems, has a deep, painful secret to share, and by the end of her trip, Joanna has begun to come to terms with the sad moments in her own past. Allen (Time/Steps, Illusions), again proves herself a skilled storyteller. Though conveniently dovetailed subplots and occasionally florid dialogue set a firmly commercial tone, her new novel shows a refreshing amount of human ambivalence and endearing missteps taken on the road to love and happiness.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

When Joanna James, a photojournalist, accepts the assignment to travel from London to Venice on the new Orient Express, she realizes that she faces not only a new adventure, but also the necessity to decide which of two men she truly loves. During the journey she makes new friends and discovers personal insights. The reader is treated to bits of photographic technical data and medical counsel. Remarkably, there is a subcurrent here of aging and death which lends a certain maturity to otherwise shallow characters. Like vanilla ice cream, the story is pleasant and easy to take in, and if the plot creaks a little, Allen's loyal readers will nevertheless enjoy her skillfull formula romantic fiction. Elsa Pendleton, M.L.S., Computer Sciences Corp., Ridgecrest, Cal.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 613 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Pr (November 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896211967
• ISBN-13: 978-0896211964
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,714,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Charlotte Vale-Allen was born in Toronto and lived in England from 1961 to 1964 where she worked as a television actress and singer. She returned to Toronto briefly, performing as a singer until she emigrated to the US in 1966. She sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print. Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but it wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published. One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 39 books, Ms. Allen's work has been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages. The mother of an adult daughter and grandmother of twins, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take a Ride on the Venice Simplon Orient Express, July 22, 2001

By 

Jill Clardy "So many books, so little time...." (Redwood City, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dream Train (Paperback)

I loved the characters and setting of this book, and imagined that I was on the trip with them, so great is the author's ability to set a scene and populate it with fascinating people that you would like to meet. Joanna James is a highly successful world-traveling photojournalist who is assigned to ride the Orient Express and spend 5 days at the sumptuous Cipriani Hotel in Venice. The trip commences in London, where her solitary existence is disturbed by a passionate fling with a casual acquaintance, Tyler, and just days later with her charming, British agent of 10 years, Henry. She leaves town feeling that she needs to escape from both of them to sort out her confused feelings.

Joanna meets the beautiful Lucienne, owner of a popular Paris bistro, on the train and they become immediate friends, sharing meals and long, revealing conversations. She also meets a dear old couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and a precocious, captivating 14-year old boy who helps her discover Venice. People seem drawn to Joanna because she is attractive, friendly and inquisitive. However, she doesn't see herself in such a positive light, and is rather lonely and insecure.

The author's descriptions of the Orient Express, as seen through Joanna's eyes and camera lens, are fabulous in their detail. It's easy to imagine yourself riding along in the cosseted luxury of this world-famous traveling hotel. The scenes in Venice are equally compelling and fascinating. In the 5 short days that Joanna is in Venice, she manages to form deep friendships, have an impact on the lives of others and sort out her feelings about both Tyler and Henry. Her sincere interest in others, her inner turmoil, and her insightfulness make her a heart-warming character with traits worth emulating.

Dream Train is another satisfying, entertaining novel by Charlotte Vale Allen. I haven't been disappointed with any of her books yet, and plan to continue working my way through all of her novels.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Journey-Well Wriiten Book, October 25, 2003

By 

J. Kirkman "book jen" (St. Petersburg, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dream Train (Mass Market Paperback)

Photojournalist Joanna James accepts a plum assignment with excitement and some trepidation-to ride the Orient-Express and spend five days in at the exclusive Cipriani Hotel in Venice, all expenses paid. Her life is complicated when, stopping over in London, she meets two very different men, leaving her with important decisions to make about herself.

It turns out to be an eventful trip where lasting friendships are made, hearts are broken, and new love is found. Joanna will come to know herself as she has never done before.