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Wivenhoe Park
Set in the mid-1980s, Wivenhoe Park chronicles the adventures of Drew, a former track star turned pill popping, dope smoking, heavy drinking, rock 'n' roll-obsessed student with writing aspirations. Drew moves to England on a whim to escape various demons, such as a goth ex-girlfriend he can't seem to shake out of his system. Experiencing the ascent of a new indie music scene including The Smiths, Jesus and Mary Chain, and Primal Scream, he befriends a cast of characters, including a star Melody Maker journalist, a smooth mod from New York City, and several enticing British girls. Will Drew find peace, love and understanding or will it all burn down like cigarettes?
191 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2013
About the author
Ben Vendetta
3 books22 followersBen Vendetta is an award-winning author. His latest novel, Sunset Trip, has earned accolades for its intimate portrayal of Y2K Hollywood and the music scene which pawned the likes of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and the Dandy Warhols.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 8, 2014
Ben Vendetta has written a post punk rock roman à clef, there’s enchantment here, and the precision of memory laid down to the throbbing beat of the English 80's. Can't wait to see what's next from the author who can encapsulate an era, and a time of life so succinctly.
"…I’m feeling wrecked, but ecstatic. I’m reinventing myself so nicely here, I think. No one needs to know that I used to be a jock until just a few years ago. No one needs to know that I got jilted by a girl that was hip by Ann Arbor standards, but couldn’t hold a candle to some of the girls I saw at the show last night…"
"…I’m feeling wrecked, but ecstatic. I’m reinventing myself so nicely here, I think. No one needs to know that I used to be a jock until just a few years ago. No one needs to know that I got jilted by a girl that was hip by Ann Arbor standards, but couldn’t hold a candle to some of the girls I saw at the show last night…"
February 17, 2014
What a nostalgic trip. This guy lived in the same area as me, went to the same record stores, listened to and saw the same bands, and studied in England probably just a few years before I did. He did the Europe thing while there, just like me. This book really made me want to return to that fantastic year abroad. Sigh.
August 26, 2014
So this book was really god awful. I would never have finished it if it hadn't been for book club and the fact that it is only 191 pages (there's a positive!). Clearly the author is a journalist and writes a lot of music reviews. That is evident even if you don't spend two seconds Googling Ben Vendetta (!). In that respect, he is no doubt highly skilled at what he does; he knows his way around music description and he has great taste...he just can't write fiction for shit. I felt like I was reading the high school diary of a painfully dorky kid who wanted a do-over, writing himself into some of the coolest clubs at a cool time. My main beef with Vendetta's style is his journalistic tell: it's all tell. Tell, tell, tell. There is little to no "show" involved. It made me crazy. Plus the wall-to-wall two-dimensional descriptions of clothing and hair (and how much hair product to use, egads!) and the near-constant band name-dropping grew tedious by page 10. The plot picked up toward the end, but in true "this book" fashion, the story stopped so abruptly I thought I'd missed a page. Nope. That was the end. And thankful for it. Holy shit.
July 2, 2014
Wivenhoe Park was a pleasure to read. So fun & light, I finished it in just a couple of days. I loved all the music references. It made me want to be there at that time. Highly recommended read for anyone who is in love (or just lust!) with music.
March 7, 2014
It is not often I pick up a book and tear through it in just a couple of days, but this was one of them.
A product of the late eighties, I felt like I was reliving my youth as I turned each page.
I look forward to reading more from Ben.
A product of the late eighties, I felt like I was reliving my youth as I turned each page.
I look forward to reading more from Ben.
August 13, 2014
Short and sweet. I was entertained.
January 31, 2016
Your 20s are an amazing time. Your whole life becomes a series of experiences that are like matches to dynamite. Ben Vendetta does an incredible job of describing that roller coaster through Drew, a very likable college student on his junior abroad in the UK. When Drew leaves the Midwest to go to Essex, he hears music that changes his life; travels through Europe; and meets all kinds of new people who open up his world in directions he never knew existed. He also figures out how to field those disappointments that seem like the end of the world - the petty squabbles amongst friends; awkward dates that go pear shaped; and, of course, family drama - with great aplomb.
This book is an engaging, nostalgic read for anybody who came of age in the 80s, especially British music fans. I would recommend Wivenhoe Park to:
- Fans of Nick Hornby (although, this is much, much better than High Fidelity - and I loved that book)
- Fans Lisa Jewell's early books
- People who are into 80s nostalgia
- Anybody who works in the music industry
- Passionate music fans
- Those who have fond memories of their 20s
- Those who wish they could relive their 20s
This book is an engaging, nostalgic read for anybody who came of age in the 80s, especially British music fans. I would recommend Wivenhoe Park to:
- Fans of Nick Hornby (although, this is much, much better than High Fidelity - and I loved that book)
- Fans Lisa Jewell's early books
- People who are into 80s nostalgia
- Anybody who works in the music industry
- Passionate music fans
- Those who have fond memories of their 20s
- Those who wish they could relive their 20s
April 20, 2017
The debut novel by music journo Ben Vendetta is a trans-Atlantic indie music odyssey, taking us from Michigan to Essex via Jesus and Mary Chain, Stone Roses and Primal Scream gigs. You'll be instantly transported back to the golden years of British indie music, through the eyes of an American abroad and remember all those great gigs in tiny, sweaty venues, and all those crushing heartbreaks and lost loves.
Like Easton Ellis with more heart, Wivenhoe Park is a novel for everyone who proudly wore their obscure band Tshirts for the world to see.
Like Easton Ellis with more heart, Wivenhoe Park is a novel for everyone who proudly wore their obscure band Tshirts for the world to see.
September 8, 2014
Wivenhoe Park reminds me a lot of The Secret History by Donna Tartt, but much better. This fantastic novel will tai you back in time to the emergence of 1980s Brit-pop. Especially if you grew up listening to 80s bands you will be able to relate to Drew, who escapes to England and finds a whole new world.
April 1, 2015
I had a blast reading this, and it enhanced my knowledge of 80s alt-rock and indie tenfold. Ben does a great job painting a portrait of a specific place and time, and the imagery lingers well after you're finished reading.
December 4, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, even though I'm older,
It reminded me a lot of people I knew in the 60's and 70's
A wonderful book about coming of age, that a lot of people can relate to
It reminded me a lot of people I knew in the 60's and 70's
A wonderful book about coming of age, that a lot of people can relate to
January 1, 2021
Trash. Reads like a man in his late 40s wanted to reimagine his youth. Juvenile, trite... That's what happens when you read a book for the title.
July 10, 2021
Did I read this is one sitting? Yes
Did this book have a million references to epic 80’s rock tracks? Yes
Did it make me want to listen to all of those tracks? Yes
Did it have anything else going for it? Not really
Did this book have a million references to epic 80’s rock tracks? Yes
Did it make me want to listen to all of those tracks? Yes
Did it have anything else going for it? Not really
October 10, 2017
Basically porn for music nerds. Great read
January 28, 2018
Probably closer to 3.5 stars, but rounding up for all the great discussions of 80s British music.
December 30, 2018
I go crazy for coming-of-age stories and love music, so I basically inhaled this one! Couldn't put it down.
August 3, 2022
Love, love, love! He lived my Manchester dream in real time (and in Wivenhoe Park)!
May 13, 2024
Loved the music references
September 8, 2018
Not a great book but an enjoyable look at 80's music and college scene in the UK.
August 4, 2021
This book was an interesting read and not one I’d normally pick.
The only thing I loved about the book was the references to 80’s music which I now have playing on a loop. The storyline was relatively generic. Was an okay read.
The only thing I loved about the book was the references to 80’s music which I now have playing on a loop. The storyline was relatively generic. Was an okay read.
March 22, 2016
The mid-eighties, London: what kind of tales can a college kid tell about this time? A lot, if you are talking about Drew. Coming from a comfortable home in Michigan where expectations for him are high, Drew comes to find that his passion isn't going to lead him down the academic path like his family hopes, and his love for music starts to turn into a passion that he can see leading him to a great job.
Wivenhoe Park is a book that is deeply immersed in the indie music scene of the eighties. This was an interesting read for me because I know about 60s-70s stuff from my parents and I came to my musical independence during the late nineties, so this is a period of music I'm just not that familiar with, and of course this book leaves me wanting to know more about bands like the Jesus and Mary Chain or Bunnymen.
The places where this book left me less than intrigued is in its execution. This is a book that talks a lot about music, so band and song name abound, but after so many mentions, you kind of get tired, especially if you've never heard the stuff. Also, Drew's description of all his outfits was a little weird, though expected because he wanted to show people what kinds of things he loved. This book is a lot of tell and not much show, so it doesn't have that element that makes you crave reading it, but the plot overall is interesting.
*Received a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads
Wivenhoe Park is a book that is deeply immersed in the indie music scene of the eighties. This was an interesting read for me because I know about 60s-70s stuff from my parents and I came to my musical independence during the late nineties, so this is a period of music I'm just not that familiar with, and of course this book leaves me wanting to know more about bands like the Jesus and Mary Chain or Bunnymen.
The places where this book left me less than intrigued is in its execution. This is a book that talks a lot about music, so band and song name abound, but after so many mentions, you kind of get tired, especially if you've never heard the stuff. Also, Drew's description of all his outfits was a little weird, though expected because he wanted to show people what kinds of things he loved. This book is a lot of tell and not much show, so it doesn't have that element that makes you crave reading it, but the plot overall is interesting.
*Received a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads
November 10, 2015
An entertaining read especially if you love music. The author does a great job interweaving song and album titles as well as band names into the story. I religiously read the music magazines referenced so for me that was an added bonus.
January 15, 2015
Not terribly well written. But if you grew up listening to 80s college rock ( particularly of the British variety), you'll enjoy reliving those years. A fun read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews