Peyton Place

By: Grace Metalious

Narrated by: Tim O'Connor

Length: 16 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1956, when this novel was first published, communities all over New England snapped up copies to see if they were the town portrayed in the book. Peyton Place is the story of a repressive New England town known for its high standards of public morality, and the steamy sexual activities that take place behind its bedroom doors. While the town's rigid mores lead to hypocrisy and repression, the earthy characters have an unbelievably high level of sexual functioning, especially the playboy Rodney Harrington and the profoundly round-heeled Betty Anderson. In this environment, Allison McKenzie, a dreamy girl coming to womanhood, must make her way without a father, living with her frigid mother, Constance McKenzie.

©1956 Grace Metalious (P)2001 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Metalious was a competent writer with some flair whose punchy workmanlike prose efficiently captured her little inland New England hamlet's earthy (if somewhat unbelievably sexually functional) populace." (Kirkus Reviews)

Guilty Pleasure

I was only 3 when the book came out, but throughout the 50s and 60s there were whispers (and shouts) about Peyton Place. I was still too young to sneak into the movie and when I finally saw it on late night TV, I yawned. That said, both the book and the narrator are a real treat and I found it surprisingly better written than it's trash reputation would suggest. The inner voices are surprisingly honest and I will publicly admit that listening made driving to and from work a great ride. Take the plunge! You'll enjoy!

It Deserves a Read

I had heard about this book for years but had never read it. I finally decided it was time and I was not disappointed. It's difficult to describe aside from being a book about a small town and all the behind-the-scenes goings on, but it's also so much more than that. You feel like you're part of this community and the read is never slow or boring. I thought the narration was perfect for the time and place of the book.

Enjoyed it!

Grew up hearing the saying “that place is a regular Peyton Place but I was too young to have read the book or seen the movie to TV show. I can identify with the book although raised in the south the small town I grew up in had many characteristics of Peyton Place. I liked how the various characters were developed. I am glad I finally read it. The recap bonus at the end was interesting.

excellent

Great sound quality. Has a male reader, but he doesn't sound stupid doing the women's voices.

A cast of imperfect characters

Peyton Place is as wonderfully soupy and soapy as you remember or heard tell of. But a great deal is different from the movie version, and the old TV soap opera is practically an unrelated animal. As always, I am glad there was so much more to marvel about in the book. For instance, I was surprised at how cynical and unhappy Allison MacKenzie's character really is. Similarly, the tragic Selena Cross comes across much harder and grittier than the simpering shyness of Hope Lange's portrayal. That famous scene in the film where Selena sits suffering in court and begging old Doc Swain not to tell her hideous secret never even happened in the book. Finally, the Constance Mackenzie character is much softer than the shrew Lana Turner was in the film.There are other shocks, but I am not reviewing to give all the surprises away. I just think it's better to know that remarkable liberties were taken in Hollywood with this story. One thing is consistent, however. It is quite a dated tale. Women are not at all emancipated by being sexual or unmarried. Not one female character comes off as loyal to another woman. The only enduring friendships are among the men. I was also disturbed by the racism and liberal use of the N word. Still, it's an engaging tale of smalltown hypocrisies, classicism, sex, drunks, and oddballs.

Fabulous stuff!

I really wasn't sure what to expect from Peyton Place, since all I knew about it was its reputation as a 'racy' novel. In reality, what was racy in the 50s is very tame nowadays, but the issues raised as are relevant today as ever. However, this isn't a 'preachy' book - it's simply a compelling tale about a bunch of very believable, and mostly flawed, characters. As a bonus, the essay at the end about the book's impact is an informative and interesting conclusion to an enjoyable listen.

Interesting Book

I wanted to listen to this book because one of my most favorite author's-Barbara Delinsky had written "Looking for Peyton Place" in 2005 and I wanted to know and learn about the book it was based on.

The original Peyton Place was a good book and kind of slowed down in some parts and in other parts kept me hooked. I didn't hurry to finish this one like I have some others because I have been so engrossed with them, but it wasn't a bad book necessarily.

An unexpected bonus after the book was completed is the 60 minute or so review by the narrator discussing the controversy surrounding the release of Peyton Place nearly 60 years ago. This was very interesting to listen too because I honestly didn't know that Grace Metalious was one of the first and few to blow the lid off such subjects as child abuse and whatnot and was such a controversial figure in her time.

The narrator does a fantastic job and was very enjoyable to listen too. I wasn't sure how a man could portray all of these womens voices, but I thought he did a great job!

This is a classic for good reason

This is a classic for good reason

Lives up to its reputation.

Well worth reading and this narrator is great also.

Peyton Place

Love Peyton Place. Enjoyed rereading it.
It so reminds me of our communities today. Everybody knows everybodys business.

Not Bad for a "soap opera"

I got interested in reading <b>Peyton Place</b> because I read a True Crime case that is related to both it and <b>Losita</b>. Never did I expect to enjoy it so much!

<b>Peyton Place</b> "blew the top off small town America" when it was released in 1956. It was even banned in some public libraries. But still, everyone read it.

What impressed me most about this story was how well the characters were developed... and the town too. Very Stephen King but without the creeps. The second thing that struck me was that even with the rapes, incest, murder, and social injustices, this story portrayed a time of domestic tranquility that I can still remember.

Recommended if you want to immerse yourself in something delightfully normal.