Customer Reviews

Tropic of California: The Strains of Strauss

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I tend to stick to romance novels in general, but do break from them once in awhile. In this case, I'm extremely happy to report that the results were well worth the departure. The story grabbed me and gripped me tighter as I turned the pages. Closing the back cover left me considering what the human spirit can take and how each curve in the road of life contributes to the person that exists presently. I found myself in a place I love to be, in the midst of the conundrums of life. It explores relationships, life and the myriad of ups and downs. The journey is pleasant and the experience thought provoking. Take my word for it, click buy.

Gloria Schumann, author of 'Called Home' a romance novel. (February 2010)

I received the book on Friday with the plans of working on the bungalow and reading it during the week.I sat on my porch with a cup of coffee opened the book just to read a little and I was sucked in. Reading the inner struggles of Alan Strauss trying to keep his life on track was extremely entertaining. When everything seems to get in his way, including himself, I could relate, as I bet we all can at times.This is a must read you won't be disappointed.

Tropic of California caught my eye, just as one would catch a vacation pamphlet and go on an impromptu get-a-way. Truth be told, I am an avid non-fiction science lover. My last five favorite reads were centered on cutting edge technology. As a native of Los Angeles, each location and situation Mr. Kaufman so aptly described struck deep familiarity. I felt I was stepping into a perfectly prepared pool for a wonderful, warm swim.

R. Page Kaufman has illuminated worlds within worlds. Know this; Tropic of California and California Dreamin' are not necessarily fantasies. Watch carefully what you wish for. The funny part is, no matter the station one occupies, people are just people. Blaringly Idolized or Discreetly Quiet, either way, human frailties abound.

The ebb and flow of nature is ever present in Tropic of California. Alan Strauss is metaphorically surfing in Mr. Kaufman's story. I found his descriptive journey a pleasure from beginning to end. Jump in, the water's fine.

I just recently read "Tropic of California - the Strains of Strauss" by Savant author, R. Page Kaufman...a delightful light hearted romantic comedy that walks you through the life of Alan Strauss, a 27 year old ex-shoe salesman, as his career takes him from rags to riches and back again. His life struggles, many of which I can identify with, made me laugh, made me cry, and I really grew to appreciate Alan's creative imagination when he applied his talents to his mundane job. Without giving the end of the story away, I would just like to say "three cheers" for Alan Strauss for taking the high road. Very nicely done, R. Page Kaufman.



Penny Cates
Georgian Bay, Ontario

SoCal to many is the world of make-believe, a desirable paradise where the absolutely coolest people live. But it is also a jungle of superficial wannabes. This is the world that R. Kaufman has re-created in"Tropic of California", the world he grew up in and has never forgotten. Kaufman is a psycho-therapist in New Mexico (I happen to know him) and has allowed us to delve deep into the psyches of "Tropic's" many characters. It is easy to picture a Hollywood film on the screen of the mind as it moves ahead, rife with well-known screen actors. His main goal seems to be character development as well as the easy-to-come-by decadence of L.A. The plot tends to drag through most of it but has an interesting "a-ha!" -style twist in the last few chapters, complete with a Hollywood-style, boy-gets-the -girl-of-his-dreams ending. I read it in a week as it was like looking at TV in a waiting room: I didn't want to look anymore but couldn't help it. I even felt a bit ill at times, not from the writing but from the subject matter, as "L.A." style is no less than hardcore pornography to me, sociologically speaking. I think Kaufman has a decent book here but it seems destined to be sleeper in the annals of American literature.

Take all the clichéd stories of the Hollywood life, the suicidal hard luck times and the miraculous serendipitous breaks that lead to unimaginable success, put them into a creative writer's press, squeeze out all the goodness, pour into a bottle, and you get a delightfully fruity, cheeky little wine called Tropic of California, The Strains of Strauss, a brilliant parody of the human condition drenched in pathos from beginning to end, a thoroughly delightful read that will transport you from the mundane to the surreal and back to the mundane again and leave you wondering what it all means. Alan Strauss, the hero of this story, is everyman whose life has been buffeted by the capricious fate of his own choices only to realize after much pain and suffering that he is the captain of his own ship, the Tonga Moon, and only he can steer his ship to the island of his dreams.

Review by Orest Stocco, author of What Would I Say Today If I Were to Die Tomorrow? On the Wings of Habitat, and soon to be released My Unborn Child.