Free love. The Vietnam War. Women's Lib. In the 1960s, in an America still emerging from the paranoia of the McCarthy era, these issues made regular headlines. For childhood friends Sophie Hearn and Steve Elwood, it was all apart of growing up.
The Wire Recorder is a love story that chronicles the coming-of-age of two baby boomers and childhood playmates, manic-depressive Sophie Hearn and quirky, awkward Steve Elwood, who part, reunite, and part again across the decades of the mid-to-late twentieth century.
As they grow into adulthood, separately and together, they both affect and are affected by the events of those turbulent times. But through it all, ever-lurking in the background, is the specter of the formative event of Sophie's childhood: her father's refusal to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Comittee and subsequent black listing from his career as a Hollywood sreenwriter. But even Sophie doesn't know the whole story and the truth may change her forever.
Thomas Levitt and Jane Ryder were kind enough to send me a copy of The Wire Recorder and I absolutely loved it. It definitely wasn't what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised by the plot, characters, and the overall theme of the novel. I thought it was really well written.
While the novel touched on the Hollywood blacklist, and was set during that time frame, there was a prominent focus on the children of those who were affected, Sophie and Steve. I really liked that I wasn't bombarded with facts about the event, and that there was a lot to read about the actual characters and their struggles. The placement of the event was very well spaced out and placed, which made the book even more enjoyable to read.
Something else I enjoyed was that the characters were really likeable and easy to sympathize with. Sophie and Steve's relationship definitely underwent trials and tribulations that shook the boat a little bit, but were written so well that I always wanted to feel for them.
Their relationship was so cute and made me turn more and more pages, even after I promised myself that I was finished reading for the night (the books that have this kind of effect on you are always the best kind of books) and I just couldn't put it down. I wanted more and more, I still do. I hope that in the future, there is more to Steve and Sophie's story, because I would definitely want some updates.
The chapters were a nice length and the book was overall really fun and easy to read. It was one that I couldn't stop talking about and one that I lugged everywhere with me.
My dear bookworms, please please please go show Thomas some love. He wrote a PHENOMENAL novel and definitely deserves all of the love. Go get your copies, and comment your thoughts in the comments, I would love to chat!!
Finally, a big THANK YOU to my friend Jane, for making this review possible.
"A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading." -William Styron. The Wire Recorder definitely did this for me, and I hope it will do the same for you. <3
Until next time...
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