Irish Lad comes of age in 1910 Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY. Adventures in Amusement Parks and the early film industry in Fort Lee NJ.
Vincent Grainger is on the brink of a creative life. It’s 1910 in Coney Island, Brooklyn, and Vin is an imaginative actor at Dreamland Park’s Congress of Oddities. But life in the Irish immigrant community can be as harsh as it can be sweet. Off season, there’s the daily challenge of bringing in pocket change to keep aspirations afloat. Still, there’s always opportunities - mucking out livery stalls or posing for artists or waiting tables and dancing for dimes. It’s a time to sparkle for those with the right attitude; and little Vin has quite the spark to get him through the best and worst of it.
Little Vin at Dreamland will transport you to the dazzling world of Coney Island at its height and introduce you to the world of Brooklyn society in 1910-1911, both the posh and the seedy. From the thousand lights of Dreamland, Luna and Steeplechase Parks to the early days of the silent film industry at Fort Lee, NJ, you will savor an America that paved the way to greatness – a heart still beating today in the descendants of those who came here to stake a claim. For most of us, it begins here, at the base of Dreamland Tower. For those who carry imagination’s spark, it begins in the rhythm of little Vin’s jig.
Professional Reviews and little Vin has the spark to get him through the best and worst of it
eviewer: Alan Chin
Publisher: Dancaster Creative (April 21, 2017)
An Enchanted Adventure
Every once in a while a book comes along that has a unique voice, a fresh and vibrant set of characters, and has the ability to transport me into another world for an adventure beyond my limited imagination. I recently experienced a writer who took me on an adventure filled with history and wonder and valor found in unexpected places. The author is Edward C. Patterson and the story is called Little Vin at Dreamland.
Little Vin at Dreamland takes the reader back into 1910 during the zenith of Coney Island’s Dreamland amusement park. Out of this rich history comes the journey of one young man, Vincent Grainger, who dreams of breaking free of the hard-toiling life in the Irish immigrant community, and expanding his acting/dancing talents in Dreamland Park’s Congress of Oddities.
Vincent (Little Vin) starts his journey mucking out livery stables while keeping an eye open for opportunities to bringing in pocket change and keep aspirations afloat. And he finds opportunities - posing for artists and waiting tables and dancing for dimes. It’s a time to sparkle for those with ambition; and little Vin has the spark to get him through the best and worst of it.
Although Little Vin is the protagonist, the main character in this novel is the dazzling world of Coney Island in its heyday, and the wide spectrum of Brooklyn society, ranging from the posh to the seedy. Little Vin takes the reader on a journey through this interesting and vivid landscape, from the thousand lights of Dreamland, Luna and Steeplechase Parks to the early days of the silent film industry at Fort Lee, NJ.
This is a story about loyalty, duty and determination. Loyalty to family, to friends, but mostly loyalty to that dream that burns within. It follows Little Vin’s efforts to balance family duty with his burning aspirations, and the stakes are raised when love blossoms in the most unexpected way.
This story is a vivid, imaginative, and often humorous romp through a pivotal point in American history. I found it a delightful read, a feel good story where love and hope and all that makes American society great eventually triumphs.
This is a character driven story (I do consider the location a character), and Patterson skillfully presents these characters with marvelous depth, using an excellent blend of tragedy and humor.
The author’s consummate skill at crafting prose and his well-researched details kept me fully engaged until the last page. I would recommend this read to anyone who enjoys multifaceted characters, humor, and a well-crafted story.
A Tour de Force for Edward Patterson
Vincent Grainger is a young man in 1910 Coney Island, Son of Irish immigrants, he makes his way helping his parents, doing thankless jobs, trying to earn money to help his family.
But Vin is talented - he can dance and entertain-
He's destined for higher things than mucking stalls-and when he sees opportunities, he grabs them.
A study of what 1910 Coney Island was like and the lives of the folks there eking out livings, while enjoying the love of their families, Hard, but success is for those with talent who can move higher, and dream bigger.
And Dreamland--the amusement park that people could go and have fun for little money-a focal point for seekers who work so hard and have little money to do so.
Vin Grainger's talent, his use of that talent, and his humanity make for a classic read. One of Edward Patterson's best works, and I am a big fan of Edward Patterson's works-especially The Jade Owl Series.
Maybe because I'm the child of Greek Immigrants who came around this timeframe, or maybe earlier, I loved the book and read deep into the night. I couldn't put it down!!
Bravo, Edward C. Patterson! Another classic!
A wonderful, worthy read you will remember and find parallel notes if your people came from Europe and stayed in New York with relatives, or had stories to tell about that Era.
A fine read, indeed.
I like this book and this family...
This is an enjoyable read. One can almost place themselves there at Coney Island during those years - ride the rides, meet the people, such as the fat lady who is quite the character, hear the carnival spiels, smell the popcorn and cotton candy, mainly through the eyes and ears of Little Vin. He is a lad who seems older than his years and comes up with various means of making money to help out his poor family. In comparison, we meet another branch of the Grainger family who is well off and some of them quite uppity so much so that Vin's younger brother punches one of them! Little Vin is so likeable, you won't want his story to end! Will it, Mr. Patterson...? Hoping for a sequel here...
Lila L Pinord
Like your professional reviewers, I too, was entranced by little Vincent and years aspiration to use his talents in the theatrical part of Coney Island. Something that could lead to greater things in Vaudeville or even silent movies later on.
I like historical fiction that is set in good historical settings. Like Gangs of New York, this setting at this time, Coney Island, gives us a sense of what the park was like and what the people were like. And I know, that the Irish, considered latecomers and no good, were subject to some of the discrimination that all immigrants seem to face when they first come to this country.
And your vernacular is very good, along with your ease between description and conversation. I think that young readers would especially benefit from reading Little Vin at Dreamland.
Third Book in Five Book Series - Southern Swallow - a tale of 12th Century China. Li K'ai-men becomes entangled in an intrigue that becomes his undoing.
Third Book in Five Book Series - Southern Swallow - a tale of 12th Century China. Li K'ai-men becomes entangled in an intrigue that becomes his undoing.
I like historical fiction that is set in good historical settings. Like Gangs of New York, this setting at this time, Coney Island, gives us a sense of what the park was like and what the people were like. And I know, that the Irish, considered latecomers and no good, were subject to some of the discrimination that all immigrants seem to face when they first come to this country.
And your vernacular is very good, along with your ease between description and conversation. I think that young readers would especially benefit from reading Little Vin at Dreamland.
Ron