Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Until They Bring the Streetcars Back

Until They Bring the Streetcars Back
Until They Bring the Streetcars Back
Author: Stanley Gordon West
Until They Bring The Streetcars Back serves up a nostalgic journey through the streets of post-war 1949 Saint Paul, those wistful days of ten-cent sodas, big band music, and burning leaves. Stanley West weaves rollicking humor, riveting suspense and a bittersweet love story into the fabric of those optimistic times. — A harmless prank, a...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780965624763
ISBN-10: 0965624765
Publication Date: 5/1997
Pages: 274
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 12

4.2 stars, based on 12 ratings
Publisher: Lexington-Marshall Pub.
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Until They Bring the Streetcars Back on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I really liked reading this book. The story is not that far fetched and plausible. Interesting. I'm really glad I stumbled upon this author. I plan on reading other books he wrote if I can get my hands on them. This book is not about elder abuse at all. And it is not a horror story.
MNagiliMom avatar reviewed Until They Bring the Streetcars Back on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Set in 1949 St. Paul, Minnesota.
I would not classify this book as Horror at all, I'm surprised it's listed as such.
Tesstarosa avatar reviewed Until They Bring the Streetcars Back on + 151 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This story is set in St Paul, Minnesota, in 1949. Cal Grant is a senior at Central High School. His family isnt wealthy but they get by. They dont own a car because his father is a streetcar driver and feels the family doesnt need a car. They rent an apartment that they get a discount on because they are also the caretakers.

Cal is a fairly popular kid at school hes a decent football player and an outstanding basketball player. Theres a girl at school that he thinks hes in love with, he has a group of friends to hang out with and a job at the nearby grocery delivering groceries.

One day, he and his entire study hall class draw detention and he is introduced to Gretchen Luttermann when she sits down behind him in the auditorium and says that her father will beat her. Gretchen had not participated in the prank that caused the entire class to get detention, but the teacher didnt let her off.

After this, Cal starts to learn more about Gretchen, nicknamed Gretch the Wretch, and how her life is a living nightmare. Cal wants to help her, but she has sworn him to secrecy.

This leads him to make some heartbreaking choices to help Gretchen.

I chose to read this book because its set in St Paul and I always like to read stories that are set in places that I know. What I wasnt ready for was how much I would be drawn into the story. I found myself crying for Cal and Gretchen.
Read All 3 Book Reviews of "Until They Bring the Streetcars Back"

Book Wiki


Genres: