Good Night, Sweet Prince

Rating:
Summary: Very interesting, touching story
Review: As a life-long fan of Brian Jones and the Rolling Stones, I approached this book with caution. It turned out to be an excellent novel, with a strong story line and sympathetic main character. Brian Jones is not the main character, as the story is told from the perspective of a young English girl. The book, however, evokes the sense of loss and tragedy that many of us felt when Brian Jones died. There is a sense of innocence about the book that is quite touching. Incidentally, I am an adult male, and this book is not just for the female fans. I quite enjoyed it and highly recommend it. I look forward to the author's next work.

Rating:
Summary: A Most Unusual Book
Review: Most unusual for sure! What a strange novel (and Pamela Richmond is careful to add this before her name...."A Novel by..."), so, lacking any additional information in a preface, introduction, biography, or note to readers, the mystery becomes trying to determine exactly how much of this novel is fiction, how much is fantasy, and how much may be based on fact. It's really hard to tell. Richmond does give hints....."It's because of what happened with him that I ultimately decided to choose the profession of psychology." but her father (or her fictional father in the novel) was a psychologist or counselor of one stripe or another (there was a steady stream of patients coming to their house for treatment). So if the author is a professional psychologist, how much is she playing with us in the "novel," if indeed that's what it is. It's possible to take this book on an enticing level far beyond the naivete of the 15 year old narrator. There are a myriad of questions about what is fiction versus what is fact, all swimming together in a misty sort of reality that actually comes close to the state of awareness that Brian Jones would have been experiencing during these last days of his life. And the irony (boldly stated on the first page) of Richmond confessing to being (like Brian with Pat) a deserter from her own child and family. All in all it makes for a marvelously intertwined novel, beautiful in it's simple and well informed view of English village life, innocent adolescence, and powerful personal introspection. A masterful work on many levels!

Rating:
Summary: Richmond's Richest Yet
Review: Pamela Richmond's novel, "Good Night, Sweet Prince" is a beautiful tale of a young adolescent who seems to live very much the lifestyle many of us could relate. The only difference is she experiences what many of us only dreamed of, to live next door to a famous rock star. But not only does she get to live next door to him, she also meets and befriends him. A dream come true! Richmond's prose and storytelling are exceptional and leaves the reader wanting more. This is why I only rated her a four (4). This reader would have preferred a longer story. This is only because when one reads excellent storytelling, s/he never wants the story to end. The best part about this book is anyone from any age group can pick up Richmond's book and read, understand, and enjoy it thoroughly for its content. This takes exceptional skill and Pamela Richmond certainly has that!