I'm a Los Angeles-based writer and teacher. Most of my time and energy in the last three years has gone into my new novel The Red Album of Asbury Park, which has just been published by Virtual
Bookworm (November 2008). The Red Album of Asbury Park is the sequel to my first novel, The Perfume Factory (also set on the Jersey Shore), which was published in 2005. Below are reviews of both books.(If you're near Asbury you can get The Red Album at The Comfort Zone, 44 1/2 Main Avenue,
Ocean Grove. Both books can be purchased online at
BarnesandNobles.com,, Amazon.com Recommended site for buying for The Red Album of Asbury Park is Virtual
Bookworm
REVIEWS OF THE RED ALBUM OF ASBURY PARK
"There is truly nothing I can say is wrong with this book, which is a first for me. It brings a little of everything to the table and hits close to home, and to this university. I highly recommend this rare read and give it 10 out of 10."--Frank Gogol, editor-in-chief, Monmouth University Outlook.
“It is simply an amazing work of fiction… a smart look inside the topsy-turvy world of the rock and roll lifestyle and the futility, hope, danger, love and mystery of survival in general. The Red Album Of Asbury Park is a book you won’t be able to put down.”—John Pfeiffer, Aquarian Magazine
Austin expertly captures the desperation and despair of a young, struggling musician living in a regional hot bed of artistic activity. If you can get your hands on this book, I highly recommend giving it a read. It might be the perfect book to read on the beach in Asbury Park this summer.--Jerseysmarts.com
“An affecting and honest work that rolls out like a pop song and resonates unforgettably, the way a great chorus should.”—Alex Green, Caught in the Carousel Magazine<.b>
“There is a sense of resiliency in this book. The characters keep trying, and most of them are neither good guys nor bad guys, but are wavering somewhere in between. The inclusion of Springsteen, with his talent and his drive, makes the fate of some of the other characters that much more poignant.... The Vietnam War shadows the young people — damaged veterans and hippies alike — and adds to the relentless tension in the background.”—Kelly-Jane Cotter, Entertainment Editor, Asbury Park Press.
“The Red Album of Asbury Park is a very gripping and thoughtful book; it is melancholy and sad at times but also brings a lot of hope with it. You are highly recommended to read it.” —Mirza Gazic, Blogcritics
“With its rich mix of New Jersey history, rock ‘n’ roll roman a clef, and mystery, The Red Album of Asbury Park will beguile, inform, and entertain you.” —Jim Testa, JerseyBeat.com
“Strongly evocative of a time and place, of interest especially to those who hail from the “swamps of Jersey” but also to anyone who loves rock 'n' roll. Good book!”—Dave Williams, Journalist, former Books Editor, Asbury Park Press
“Asbury Park, ville cotière dans New Jersey, a toujours inspiré le Boss, mais aussi l’écrivain Alex Austin….A travers le rocker en herbe Sam Nesbitt, l’auteur offre une vision à la fois héroīque et charnelle de l’époque.“[... the author offers a vision of an era both heroic and carnal.]— Talia Soghomonian, Paris Metro
REVIEWS OF THE PERFUME FACTORY
The Perfume Factory is an incredibly fascinating, timeless character study. Austin has reached Salinger-level writing with his first novel.“ –Samantha Young, Monmouth University Outlook.
"This coming-of-age novel, set at the northern tip of the Jersey shore in the blue-collar wastelands of Raritan Bay, will captivate you from start to finish. It's Catcher In The Rye as re-imagined by Bruce Springsteen. . . . I couldn't put this down.” —Jim Testa, Jersey Beat
"I have just finished reading a great little novel, The Perfume Factory by Alex Austin. It is a dark and gritty coming-of-age story set in the 60's. . . . His young characters are fascinating. Their naïve invincibility, their teenage wants and fears bring them to life." — Laura Rae Amos, Blogcritics
"First-time novelist Austin draws a sharp, affecting portrait of wrong-side-of-the-tracks hopelessness, Jersey style. He captures perfectly the tone of teenage life, the aimlessness of finding something to do and the hesitant, meandering conversations of a budding romance. Through Sam's warring impulses, the author also probes the serious moral conundrums of youth, as he tries to break free of his self-absorption, engage with the world and solidify his character against the pressures of external circumstances." —Kirkus Discoveries Named 2005 Kirkus Recommended!
"Sam is an effective, against-the-grain main character. Huck Finn might come to mind, and rightly so: Austin's authoring skills and ear for human rhythms of speech elevate The Perfume Factory to a lofty level of achievement indeed." —Geoff Rotuno, The Boox Review
BarnesandNobles.com,
