Customer Reviews

The King of Billy Goat Hill

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Highland Park/Eagle Rock area of northeast Los Angeles (where I grew up) is the setting for this wonderful, heartwarming novel. The story begins in 1958 (I was 5 then) when two young brothers sneak out in the middle of the night to a place known as Billy Goat Hill. What happens that first night sets the theme for this deeply moving psychological study of childhood events and how they control our emotions and behavior long into the future. There are many laughs to be enjoyed throughout and several times I openly wept as waves of empathy for Wade Parker shook me to the core. A finely woven plot that leapfrogs from the late 50's to the present will keep you engrossed page by page by page. I savoured each chapter and utterly adored the ending. Unless you have been miraculously blessed with a problem-free life, you will identify with every disturbingly dark and brightly illuminated nuance of this beautifully crafted story.

I took a chance and ordered this novel after reading the previous reviews. I was not disappointed. If you love a story and characters that leave you resonating long after the initial read, get The King of Billy Goat Hill. I've read six more novels since and still I keep thinking about Wade, Luke and Mac. I agree wholeheartedly with the earlier reviews, and, yes, this book would make a terrific movie!

Most of the stories seem to have little connection to each other or to any theme. Only at the end does it become clear what the effect of any of the earlier experiences are. And the latter half of the story takes time in too large of leaps to really make it's connection to the first half meaningful.

However, the scenes from childhood easily stand on their own. One is drawn into the position of Wade Parker quite well. Makes one feel like he is there, with all his young fears.

Mark Stanleigh has written a wonderful novel, THE KING OF BILLY GOAT HILL, a story of growing up in Los Angeles. However, this poignant recounting of childhood challenges and adventure could take place in any city that has children, police, hills, gangs and siblings. Stanleigh has created a novel full of tension and dark places. The characters are packed with color and action. As you read, even in the early pages, it is easy to sense the ominous and sad overtones which certainly influence and surround the narrator. This is Wade, the older brother, only eight years old as the story opens with his poignant recollections. His younger brother, Luke, looks up to him, cries when Wade cries, follows and loves him. Wade and Luke, lacking a functional family in their lives depend not only on each other and their dog, Mac, but also on two fascinating people who are part of the local police force. A third police officer plays a role as well, but in a manner that will be a surprise as Wade reveals his story. This very young narrator needs to come to terms with a dreadful truth. He lives with the certainty that he is a ten year old murderer. This fear and dreadful belief colors the rest of his life and THE KING OF BILLY GOAT HILL chronicles his methods, activities, and strengths to cope with it. As a secondary theme, you baseball lovers will appreciate Wade's total devotion to and joy derived from Duke Snider, the famous Dodger baseball player. He is like a rainbow that brings a smile to Wade's face and peaceful dreams to his soul. In Stanleigh's clear and descriptive style, you'll find humor, tension, love and terror. THE KING OF BILLY GOAT HILL covers a life of a man upon whose childhood terror has made an indelible imprint. The closeness of the two brothers is warm, their lives become meaningful and creative, and trust and love do seem to win out!

Nowhere near a 5-star book, though not a complete waste of time either. Stanleigh does a great job sketching his characters, but blows it on a very poorly developed plot. Perfect for the reader with Attention Deficit.....95% of the book focuses on one set of events, while the actual climax comes from out-of-the-blue and relates to about 5% of the book's total pages.

I received this book as a surprise Christmas present from an old childhood friend. It turned out to be the best gift of the season. "The story embodies the essence of our own childhoods," my friend wrote. "If Wade and Luke don't transport you back to our humble beginnings, you've either lost your imagination, or we never knew each other!" Was she ever right. I could have been The "Queen" of Billy Goat Hill. This is a wonderful novel about life and how to survive it. One of the best, most satisfying, special reads of all time. I will always recommend this book and hope it stays in print forever.

I met the author several years ago at a book signing in San Raphael, CA. He was very charming and I got an autographed copy of The King of Billy Goat Hill. But somehow the book didn't float up to the top of my reading pile. Then one day I picked it up...AND I ABSOLUTELY COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! The characters are so rich...I truly felt like I knew them. Mr. Stanleigh, you are a great writer! I want to read more!

The King of Billy Goat Hill By Mark Stanleigh

This wonderful story is about two boys growing up. The boys will make you laugh and make you cry, but never -- ever will they fail to entertain you.

Wade is nine and Luke is seven when the story opens in northern Los Angeles in the late 1950s. The boy's father has abandoned the family and their mother is out of touch with them, so they are very much on their own, especially in the summer.

Like most kids, boy or girls, they get into some sticky situations at times all through the book. Mac, their beloved dog, saves their hides more than once and is so smart, you'll be amazed. Then, when the boys befriend a Police Sargeant and his girfriend, they begin to find some direction to their lives.

An innocent mishap at "Three Ponds" leaves Wade frightened and consumed with guilt. On a chance meeting -- or is it really a chance meeting? -- the Sargeant slips the ball-bearing Wade used in his sling-shot that fateful day, into Wade's hand, and the boy is stunned. How did the Sargeant get it? Does he know the whole story? Can he help?

The young couple -- the Sergeant and Miss Cherry -- take the boys to their hearts, but it's obvious that Wade is the favorite for some reason. It looks like nothing will ever ruin the friendship between the four of them.

You will get to see "Eagle Rock" and "Cavendish Caverns" and "Three Ponds" among other places, in the story. All with the lovable Mac tagging along.

Finally, when Wade reaches 16, and after Mac is killed by a mysterious burgler, he leaves his mother and his brother. He sort of floats in an alcohol-haze for a few years, gets married, then sinks deeper into depression and drinks himself into jail.

The ending is poignant and as warm and loving as the entire book. True reading enjoyment. I can't wait for Mr. Stanleigh's next book. Review by Barbara A. Garrett.

A recommended read by a new author. What a wonderful story, the characters will stay in your heart until you release them! This adventureous journey will pull in detail every readers memory of those survival experiences we all went through growing up. Not just another coming of age jaunt, Mr. Stanleigh's ability to write in gripping detail,compelling humor and true life characterizations will gurantee this read a two sitter! When will "The King of Billy Goat Hill" make the big screen?

This book was amazing. Part Hinton, part Steinbeck, this book tells the story of two boys growing up in 1960s Los Angeles. I couldn't put it down, and wished when I had, that I could read it all over again. I really can't recommend this book enough.