What People are Saying
What People are Saying
New YorkThe 600 page autobiographical novel, "Indian Summer of Love" recounts the events of socially cataclysmic 1967 through the eyes of a 20-year-old participant, Sam Cohen, BHSS '63. Sam is involved in nearly all the significant events of that year, including the scene in Haight-Ashbury, and the March on the Pentagon, and he takes full advantage of the availability of cheap drugs and casual sex. Situations are finely drawn. Sam's description of his family's claustrophobic apartment in the Van Courtlandt Park area of the Bronx, where he shares a bedroom with his younger brother, Ritchie, makes the walls close in on the reader; and his recounting of rock concerts in San Francisco produces a palpable mixture of music, drug induced sensory experiences and animal sexuality. Sam's descent from petty thievery at his fruit market job to being the wheelman for drug predators is well delineated. Character studies, particularly those of women, are weaker, and the endless supply of willing young hippies, juxtaposed with the controlling Bronx Jewish mother and the forgiving Irish nun, are stereotypical. Sam's character, more deeply defined, is laid out in the events of the Summer, not in psychological insight. Sam tumbles down a steep gradient from experimental drug use to mainlining heroin. Although he touches on his need to avoid even the tiniest feelings of discomfort, he does not offer an adequate explanation of the reasons why a Bronx Science graduate, and star CCNY athlete, would knowingly jeopardize his mental powers and his physical health. One brief allusion to two years of psychological therapy in Sam's past is not explored, despite the breadth of the book. Psychological exposition is hidden in the character's reconciliation with a symbolic wolf icon that haunts him and the reader. Exquisite local details abound, from Van Courtland Park work crews to woodsy California communes. The young Sam, listening to Jocko's Rocket Ship on WLIB while tucked under the covers in his childhood room, is a treasure. There are some friends from Science mentioned in the book, and one character, called Freddy, involves Sam in a pivotal experience of the 60's. Freddy has no significant lines of dialogue, but those of you who knew him at Science will recognize him. For readers who missed all this while pursuing a different life course, "Indian Summer of Love" is an informative book about the events of the time, even if it raises more psychological questions than it answers. For others who were there, it will help recover memories of youth, especially if you need the help.
S.F.Heart.com"The Indian Summer of Love" is a fast paced,exceptionally well written novel. We are taken along for the ride with Sam, a young man on a quest to find himself, as he hitchhikes across the country during the hippie era's last daze. The book shares his experiences in San Francisco and Monterey, the finding of like minded individuals traveling the same roads to and from California groovin' on the good times, the psychedelic music, free love, and their dream to end war and change the world. L. M. Levy's first novel reveals the best of times as well as the worse, such as the horrible violence experienced at the massive peace demonstration at the Pentagon in 1967 that for many signaled the end of any faith in truth or justice. They were lost through disillusionment and the final tragedy of mean streets and bad drugs. Sam's adventures with the varied people he meets are a great read, often humorous, sometimes sexy, and always interesting. A thought provoking account of what it was like to be young, loving and hopeful in the late sixties, the death of the dream, and the struggle required to survive the fall.
London, UKIt was a damp gray morning in Boston. Graham lay on the bed and studied the rain spots as they turned to rivulets. Her soft voice next to him interrupted his thoughts... "where are you?" she whispered. "Fuck it" he said, it's happened again -- I've woken up in a Larry Levy novel.
It had been one of those times. The parcel had arrived. He knew it was good stuff. He knew he shouldn't, but why not give it just one shot. "just one page" he thought. Why not? It was only 609 pages later that he realized he wouldn't be turning back.
Anaheim, CaliforniaI thoroughly enjoyed reading the first chapter. It brought me back to the old neighborhood. You see, I spent a lot of time in the store you describe. When I did not have lunch at my Grandmother's apartment on Gerard Avenue I ate at the store you wrote about.
Scott Wood Blagman
Culver City, CaliforniaLevy's novel pounds at the soul like a mad carpenter wielding a 20 ounce framing hammer. Next!!!! Sylvia Levy
Millbrook, New YorkHow can I, as his mother, be objective? I'll admit I knew he could write. Once I had begun reading, I was unable to put it down. That he survived to write this book is miraculous! Mike Rainsford
San Francisco, CaliforniaI read the book in under a week. The book was well written, entertaining, and drew me in. It leaves you guessing... what happened to him, did he die, clean up, or continue being a junkie? Thanks for the entertainment!
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