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Book Review of Paradise Park

Paradise Park
Paradise Park
Author: Allegra Goodman
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Hardcover
Pattakins avatar reviewed on + 365 more book reviews


The main character of Paradise Park was Sharon, a folk dancing hippy who follows her boyfriend to Hawaii. When she is abandoned on the island with nothing, instead of going home and starting a new and better life and reconsiling with her family, she stays in Hawaii to wander. At times the reader is drawn to her, feeling sorry for her and her situations. However, she is extremely self-absorbed and cannot stop whining about her situation. I believe that this character was supposed to be like that, and was written very detailed by Allegra Goodman, in a poetic and thought-out manner. This woman is going on a journey to find God and religion, but NOTHING ends up working for her, fulfilling her. Finally she finds Judaism, but even that isn't good enough for her. In the end she still critisizes the religion. People tell her that she hasn't changed, and she hasn't, but she doesn't see it that way.
However, the overall message in this book is excellent. It is about finding yourself and not letting anybody stop you. She went through many things, which were essentially the same situations with different names and places, but in the end, she found what made her happy.