Kings Row (Paperback)

~ Henry Bellamann (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Only edition of KINGS ROW in print. No printings but KINGDOM HOUSE editions have a biographical and historical illustrated introduction. Contains map, town photographs, and stills and background on the Ronald Reagan film.

Product Details

• Paperback: 536 pages
• Publisher: Kingdom House (March 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0960992626
• ISBN-13: 978-0960992621
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,456,779 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, November 24, 1999

By A Customer

One of the few positive things I got out of Stephen King's "Hearts in Atlantis" was a mention of this book. King had grouped it with the likes of Grace Metalious's "Peyton Place". Indeed it is very similar and like a modern soap opera.

King's Row is a fictional, small town in the rural south. The story starts in the 1890's with the main characters Parris Mitchell and Drake McHugh in early high school. They are best buddies. Drake is a happy go-lucky boy who chases women and loves to party. Parris is more reticent and sober.

The long novel (almost 700 pages) follows their lives until their early 30's. They go through various romances (with very unexpected consequences), business operations and changes in their lifestyles. Drake starts off wealthy and the scourge of the town, however, he is bilked of his money and must start over. Parris studies to become a doctor and is well regarded throughout his career. Many of King's Row citizens have a quirk about them. Some are honest and upstanding, but there are others who have neuroses about them (including a doctor who likes to inflict pain on the sick rather than heal).

This book appears to have caused quite a stir when it first came out. Parris and Drake have sexual escapes that rival the "bad boys" of the fifties. Instead of the hot rods they cruise around in "rubber wheel buggies". Quite a change indeed from the proper southern women portrayed by the likes of Glasgow and Margaret Mitchell. There is also mention of homosexuality and incest. Like Peyton Place, there are sobering moments that the characters go through. Parris is very moralistic and easy to look up to and there are lessons to be learned about character in the book.

This was a breath of fresh air. Fun to read, and yes long. At times the action was a little light, but near the end I couldn't put it down. A movie was made based off the book (starring Ronald Reagan no less) and a sequel was written.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story for Older Teens, December 15, 1998

By A Customer

I read this book when I was 15 or so and was entirely captivated by it. It has often been compared to Peyton Place, because both stories are long narratives set in small town America that convey a soap opera-type story. I feel that Kings Row is superior to Peyton Place and has been overlooked. Admittedly this is not great literature and cannot compare to Dickens or Thackeray. Nevertheless it is an intrigruing story of young people coming to age, attempting to understand the adult world, and is packed with great characterizations. There is a certain mystery and power to this novel that will capture the hearts of certain young readers, those who are dedicated readers and love long involved stories of infatuation, loyal friendship, teenage confusion, scandal, forbidden love, cruelty, and tragedy.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book, December 8, 2000

By A Customer

Kings Row is one of my 2 favorite books (the other is "A Tree Grows is Brooklyn"). I read it a few months ago, shortly before I turned 15. Henry Bellamann shocked me with his good characteriation of all the characters, major and minor. Everything in the book was intwined with everything else. So many things happened in this town, which is based on Fulton, MO, that I wonder what sort of things are happening in MY town. Read it. The last 10 pages are sad and suprizing. I cried at a few parts. The movie is good too, but the ending is somewhat different. Anyway, read Kings Row.