I’ll Take You There audiobook

A Brief Q&A Between Myself and MyselfQ: Why did you pick up I'll Take You There in the first place, Natalie?A: Well, Natalie, I had read Wishin' and Hopin' but had lukewarm feelings about it (cute, quick Christmas tale but didn't feel as Wally Lamb as other Wally Lamb books), so that did not push me to read this one. However, Wally Lamb is one of my FAVORITE authors. Even when I don't L-O-V-E his book, I love his writing. I also feel a lot of guilt when I don't L-O-V-E his book, but that's another conversation that I like to save for the therapist's couch. Q: I've heard there is a whole lotta feminism going on in this book. How do you feel about that?A: I have a few thoughts/feelings on this, so I'm going to start a list.Thought #1: I do not consider myself to be a feminist. This is not because I disagree with feminism but because I've never taken the time to see what it's all about. I'll admit my ignorance.Oh, hi! It's now 2022 and I've grown up a bit. Strike the above from the records.Thought #2: I loved the "levels" of feminism shown. Felix's sister, ex-wife, and daughter all share different ideas on the rights of women with different levels/extremes that are based on their life experiences, their ages, their environment, etc. I found this very interesting and identified with a more modern approach (his daughter) than the radical approach (his ex-wife). Thought #3: Felix's awareness of the struggles of women is unlike that of most (all?!) men I know, which makes it difficult for me to gauge the authenticity. Once again, Wally Lamb writes more like a woman than most women. It's not an insult.Q: There are ghosts in this book. Did you have to sleep with all your lights on?A: The "ghosts" in this book were mostly old movie stars, so my electric bill stayed nice and low. Although this "supernatural" angle seemed very unlike Wally Lamb to me, I actually liked it. I liked that it was not taken too seriously. Maybe I should call 911. But what would I tell them? That I've been chatting with a couple of ghosts? That I take a size large in straitjackets? I kept thinking about what movies stars from the past I would like to visit me and what conversations we'd have. #nerdalert #iheartTCMQ: What was your favorite part?A: I don't know if I can pick one certain part. I really enjoyed Felix's relationship with his daughter. I really enjoyed Felix being put back into his past because he would NEVER have had the awareness as a young boy that he had as an adult to see the hardships of women (or just his family in general) when he was growing up. I loved his sisters, especially Francis. I liked this book a LOT more than I suspected. Although it has the same characters as Wishin' and Hopin', it has a completely different vibe. It's no She's Come Undone or I Know This Much is True but WHAT IS?Q: Are you hungry?A: STARVING.4 Stars------------------------------------------------A new Wally Lamb book?!I'msoexcited! Even though I have to admit that Wishin' and Hopin' was my least favorite Wally Lamb book by far, I'm all about second chances.

If you enjoy this review visit my book blog: www.booksmusicallthingswritten.wordpr... or my blog's Official Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/booksmusicallthingsw... or follow me on Twitter: @etoland16Wally Lamb has been one of my favorite authors since I first read “She’s Come Undone” when I was 16 years old. One of my favorite books I’ve ever read is his book, “The Hour I First Believed.” I’ve read all of his books and he never ceases to amaze me with his ability to write female characters that are so brutally honest, complex and real. Lamb’s ability to delve inside the mind of a woman and explore the inner workings of the female psyche is, in my opinion, what sets him apart from other male authors. Lamb always writes his characters in such a way that you truly feel like you know them when you finish the book.“I’ll Take You There” is different than some of Lamb’s previous works, but his exploration into writing with a more light-hearted tone doesn’t take away from the book’s powerful message and Lamb delivers another incredible story. The novel explore serious themes like parenthood, mental illness, eating disorders, gender inequality, complicated family dynamics, reconciling one’s past, and the impact childhood makes on your adult life.“I’ll Take You There” tackles these themes in the sincere, heartfelt way that Wally Lamb does so well.“I’ll Take You There” is about Felix Funicello, whose claim to fame is his relationship to his cousin, the famed Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. Felix is a film scholar whose love for movies stretches back to the early celluloid days of Hollywood. His professional love of film extends to an extra-curricular Monday night movie club which has a handful of dedicated members that Felix enjoys screening films for and later discussing at the old movie theater in the neighborhood that was once a place for vaudeville entertainment. Felix has a cordial relationship with his ex-wife Kat, the staunch feminist, and is very close to his grown daughter Aliza. Aliza’s take on feminism is more modern but is a naturally born writer and having been the product of creative parents has benefited her greatly, and she learned about all types of artistic expression which serve her well in the millennial age and her job writing for New York Magazine. Her relationship with her dad is very open and despite her tendency to overshare some of the details of her life that a father would usually not want to hear, Felix adores his time spent with Aliza and enjoys their frequent phone calls, getting to hear about her life in New York, and also getting to offer some fatherly advice when the situation calls for it.On what seems like a old regular Monday, Felix heads to the theater where he holds his Monday night movie club to set up the projection booth and ready the films he has decided to screen. While in the projection booth, he suddenly sees a ghostly apparition, which leads him to suspect that he may be having some sort of health crisis, or maybe have been slipped drugs at some point. The ghost, Lois Weber, recognizable to Felix because of his extensive knowledge of Hollywood’s silent film era, was one of the first female directors of film and her legacy has been buried under the more famous male directors of her time. Despite being a pioneer of cutting-edge techniques and well respected among her peers, Lois Weber was never given credit where credit was due because she was a woman in a male dominated industry. The ghost of Lois Weber explains these things to Felix, who is still unsure of how he’s communicating with her, but Felix is thoroughly enjoying learning about the celluloid film era from someone who was there. They discuss the other famous directors, actors, and actresses of the time and Lois is even joined by the ghost of silent film star Billie Dove, who starred in many of Lois’s pictures. When Felix asks Lois why she has shown up to talk to him, she says that he is “educable” and then explains to him that she has brought along some films that will be of special interest to Felix. She explains that the film in the reels she brought along are the movie of Felix’s life. With these reels, Felix will be able to re-live certain points of his life. Still unable to process the information being presented to him, Felix reluctantly follows the instructions given to him by Lois and begins to watch the films of his life.Felix is taken back to times in his life when he was just a happy boy and his sisters Frances and Simone took him to see Pinocchio which led to his love of movies, and to more painful times when his family was dealing with Frances having a life threatening eating-disorder. Although Felix was just a boy during that time, it isn’t until he re-visits these memories as an adult that he realized the impact of what Frances went through had on him. He’s also taken back to other times in his life and visited by other ghosts that shed light on some of his family’s painful secrets and forces Felix to deal with his emotions regarding them.With each new encounter with Lois and the films of his life, he learns more about what injustices and prejudices women of all eras have had to deal with in every aspect of their lives which leads him to understand the women in his life in a whole new way, and leads him to understand his life and the choices he’s made from a whole new perspective.I loved the way Wally Lamb handled Felix’s story and the stories of these women and proves even further that Lamb has an understanding of women and what challenges they face in their every day lives that most men lack. Wally Lamb is a brilliant novelist, able to explore all types of themes and deliver beautiful stories that will resonate with his readers long after the last page is read. As a huge fan of his, I am so glad I was able to read and review “I’ll Take You There” and go on another journey with a master story-teller who continues to prove that he is one of the great novelists of our time.I absolutely recommend this book to lovers of all genres, because it truly appeals to fans of all.A new addition to my blog is a rating system to let you guys know how much I liked the book I reviewed in a simpler way. I’ll be rating them by stories: (as in stories in a building) 1 story being a modest one floor home, to 10 being a skyscraper. I may change it, but for now I hope you guys agree that it’s a clever play on the story angle, and I like it a lot!I give this book 9/10 stories. Not quite the Empire State Building, but still a high rise condominium with a top-floor penthouse.I hope you guys enjoy my review and it inspires you to pick up a copy of “I’ll Take You There” and read it for yourself

A unique reminder of American culture in the 50s-60s, brought together with current culture. The reading experience would be enhanced by reading Wishin' and Hopin' but not necessary.

Before I give you my opinion of Wally Lamb's newest book, I have to admit that I have read and loved everything he has written and he is one of my favorite authors. This wasn't my favorite book by him but it's still a fantastic book. The character of Felix Funicello (who we knew as a child in Wishin' and Hopin') is now 60 years old and this book is a reflection on his life helped along by a few ghosts who provide him with movies of critical points in his childhood. He could not only view the films but he could also become part of it with the feelings that he had at the age he was viewing. Just as important as his reviewing his life is his look at feminism in the past compared to feminism today. I loved seeing how Felix's character evolved from his earlier book and seeing how the events in our past are what makes us the adult we are today. To sum it up, this is a book about aging, family and feminism told in a way that only Wally Lamb could tell it.

Oh Wally Lamb. How does he take such a fun idea and turn it into thoughtful insights into feminism, advertising, and dark family secrets. I loved it right off because the main character is a movie buff and has a movie club along with teaching. I'm hoping Mr. Lamb is also like his character so I have that in common with him. I also loved his idea of bringing a few ghosts to life in an old theater and learning about an amazing woman from the 20s that I'd never heard about. I like when a book engages me enough to want to look up information about the characters. He weaves fact with fiction very well.

Felix Funicello is a film professor who lives in Connecticut. He is divorced and has one daughter, Eliza, who is currently working for New York Magazine. Felix also has two older sister, Simone and Frances who are an integral part of his life. Felix hold a movie club on Monday nights in the old Vaudeville theater in town. One night as he is setting up, he is visited by the ghost of Lois Weber, a renowned film director in her time. Lois shows Felix glimpses of his life along with the important women in it. Through these snapshots, Felix gains a greater understanding of the women in his life and women in general. This book was reminiscent to A Christmas Carol, but he is visited by the same ghost, who brings three different visitors with her. Felix is first returned to his six year-old self. Where he and his sisters are helping their neighbor gather votes to become the next Rheingold Girl. Rheingold is a beer. This happens after his daughter tells him she has to write a piece about these girls. The next transportation is a few years later when Felix is twelve. His mother and sister are talking in the kitchen about her boss being inappropriate with her at work. This part I heard just a few days after hearing day after day about a new man in a high position has been removed because of inappropriate behavior in the work place. Mind you, this is taking place in the early '60s and times were different, but some things never change. As Eliza, is telling her mother about what her boss has said, it's the mother's response that truly strikes me. "Men are men. Shapely girls like you just have to put up with stuff like that in the working world or else quit. Those are your choices."Thank God, those are no longer our choices, and that shouldn't have been the mentality then, maybe we wouldn't have all these issues today. Also during this trip, Felix is given some news about his family that will change the dynamic forever.The final time Lois comes to visit, the guest she brings, gives Felix a testimony that he has wondered about in the back of his mind for most of his life. That helps to fill a missing piece. The story is sad and is a part of the two previous visits from Lois. All of these visits help Felix to be a better man, brother and father to the women in his life. I think this is a very important book for all women to read, especially with the things going on in our world today. Told from the male point of view, I think it helps to see that some men can be empathetic to the plights of women. And this books covers a lot of those plights, from feminism, to abortion, adoption and acceptance. Years ago, I read She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb and I remember feeling the same way after reading it. Read them both.

This was much shorter than the other Wally Lamb books I've read, but every bit as emotionally fulfilling. I really love the concept of being able to watch films of your own past and revisit them if you choose, and the supernatural aspect was really interesting as well. I don't recall this book receiving much fanfare when it was released, but it definitely should have, and if you're a fan of Mr. Lamb's other work, you should absolutely not miss this one.

There was so much I loved in this story. Loved the family drama, the flashbacks to the 1950's/1960's and the references to some of Hollywood's classic movies/actors. It was enjoyable reading about a simpiler time to grow up and brought back some great memories. I wonder how it would feel to see your childhood played out on a movie screen? Would things be like you remember or would you see things differently through adult eyes?It has been many years since I read Lamb's "She's Come Undone". I loved that book and it left a lasting impression. This author has not lost his knack for storytelling and I look forward to reading his other books.

Felix Funicello, cousin of, of course, Annette, has just turned 60 and is lamenting his crying stage that has returned from his childhood. Felix is in charge of a movie club, as in film noir. Celluloid, projection, click, click, click. Felix is a professor. Felix gets along splendidly with his daughter and wears argyle socks with crocs. Felix talks to you as you read. His movie club meets in a renovated movie theater, back to its 1926-ish photoplay, vaudeville stage days. He give a lot of film and fin star history. Whilst reminiscing on the late Lois Weber, she appears before him with one of her leading ladies, Billie Dove. Chit chatting with a beguiled & boggled Felix, she informs him that not only do her clique of ghosts stay current, but that “When Robert Ebert crossed over not so long ago, he did so with his Netflix account intact, so we have access to contemporary films in that way, too.” I do so wish we all still spoke with the eloquence of yore. Language was beautiful before we bastardized it with slang and texted abbreviations. But I digress. Back to the story. Lois wants Felix to write her “authorized” biography, promising to fill him with extra dirt on behind the scene skirmishes and “lavender marriages” and “sewing circles” concealing sexual preferences. (That of which continue today, no matter how many children transpire thereof.) Then she gifts him with him. His life on reel-to-reel, bonafide celluloid film of which he can view, insert himself and return back to now. He starts at 6, watching his life until Lois tells him to narrate and then to go into it. Interesting, the way things were, especially seen through the eyes of the young. These episodes continue with each visit to the theater. Age progression and the conundrums of growing up with 2 older sisters play out, including one’s bout with anorexia after a span of chubbiness when he was 12. I admit to forcing myself through the childhood reflections and readily confess my delight in doing so. The ending chapters made me a fan. Who’d have thought this to be a feminist novel? That the intent of Mz Weber’s ghost was to educate him in the history of womyn trailblazers in film, both in front & behind the camera. And for that, I thank Mr Lamb. Laterally, I’ve taken my own notes.

I’m a mega fan of Wally Lamb. He is an incredible writer, from his massive novel about Columbine to his small Christmas story Wishin’ and Hopin’. I have read the latter novel at least six times, and it never fails to pull belly laughs out of me. I’ll Take You There is Lamb’s “sequel” to Wishin’ and Hopin’. I put that in italics because I’ll Take You There is not really a sequel, for it doesn’t pick up where the previous novel left off, but rather, with a stroke of genius, Lamb takes the characters from Wishin’ and Hopin’ and ages them over forty years. Protagonist Felix Funicello is now sixty years old, a divorced man with a grown daughter, a professor of film studies, and, in this newer novel, looking back on his life. And this reflection is very strange, indeed, for Lamb chooses to do it in a supernatural way. I suppose it wouldn’t be too much of a spoiler alert if I said how Lamb does this, but there is wonder and magic in the not knowing until you read it, so I won’t reveal it here. But this unusual bit of storytelling results in Felix’s examination of his relationship with his middle sister Frances and in a peripheral way, his daughter and his ex-wife. The result is that Lamb makes a powerful case for feminism and other social issues we all confront. I’ll Take You There is not the joyously funny novel that its predecessor is, but it is just as engaging, and it’s message is thoughtfully presented in a very unusual way.

This book started wonderfully, making me laugh out loud 3 or 4 times and for the first time identifying with the older character rather the younger seeker. This POV was well-defined, likable and brought a humanistic healing tone to it. The 2nd half of the book drags a little. I thought we would go deeper into the conflicts the main character has with some of the female characters. Instead it gives voice and forgiveness to 1 woman, someone we might be quick to judge as trashy, slutty or without class. From her shoes we gain insight into the state of mind of a young woman abandoned by her family, caught up with the excitement of life and how family secrets cause pain but are ultimately usually are done to spare a child from the cruelties of the world.At the end is a very persuasive blogpost from a younger generation woman who attempts to harmonize the feminist efforts for equality with the male gender who had no role in past transgressions but caught up in the flow of historical progress. Also, personally I realized the value of non binary pronouns (hiz and ze). They can serve to emboldened youth to not have to choose to be part of the patriarchical system, allowing more options and a more authentic.

I almost put this book down after the first third, but I persevered and am glad I did. The overall message about women and the history of the evolution of their rights is profound and right on. I even found some books referenced in the story that I have put on my "to read" list. If you are younger and want to have a glimpse of what went on for women in the 60s, reading this book is a great way to find out. I agree with all the other reviewers who said that this is their least favorite Wally Lamb book. I have read them all and loved them. However, I would encourage you to give this book a chance, especially if you want to learn something about how we got to the place we are today. I grew up in the 50s when the choices for jobs for women were mother, nurse, teacher, secretary, librarian, and model, as Lamb states in the book. Even thought I experienced all this, it was instructive for me to step back and look through a different lens at the culture that fostered these ideas.

This started out - and continued at - five stars until, probably, the last 25 pages. The story was fantastic - I loved the characters, loved the "ghost" story, loved the storyline (although I didn't understand where all the comments about feminism came from). The end seemed WAY rushed to me - I could've loved this story probably DOUBLE the length. I could've had more visits from movie stars of the early days of Hollywood, visited our main character's past a few more times, learned more about his wife (who, in her very small role within the book made me CRAZY - no wonder they got divorced), watched he and his sisters grow up in more detail.Lamb is a great writer - I've never read a male who writes women so well - I just thought he rushed through a GREAT premise with this one. Hence, four, instead of his usual, five stars.

I'd give this 3.5 if I could...I loved the premise of watching/going back to your life. I just was kind of disappointed that it didn't really comprise the whole book. It kind of went away about 2/3 of the way through and became an afterthought at the end. The ending seemed rush in general. Still...I love Wally Lamb, and the fun, creative idea made me boost this to a 4 instead of kicking it back to a 3.