The Temple of Gold

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 224 pages
• Published by: Ballantine Books; 1st Ballantine Books ed edition October 2, 2001
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0345439740
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0345439741
• Book Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Weighs: 7.2 ounces

Product Review
“[A] fine first novel of youth . . . Goldman has chosen a difficult theme and pulled it off with flying colors.”
–Chicago Tribune

Product Review
?[A] fine first novel of youth . . . Goldman has chosen a difficult theme and pulled it off with flying colors.?
?Chicago Tribune

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Temple of Gold (Paperback) Being 29, I do not carry the bias of nostalgia that other reviewers may hold. This book was published 13 years before I was born, but the subject matter is timeless. There have always been(and will forever be) teens who become disillusioned with life. Goldman has created, in Raymond Euripides Trevitt, a character with whom most of us can connect. He doesn't relate, or effectively comminicate, with his parents. He finds it easier to burn bridges than to appear emotionally vulnerable. We follow him through a tremendous friendship with a kid named Zock, several girlfriends(relationships ranging from purely physical, hollow offerings to that exaggerated brand of heartache & tragedy that seems to've been patented by teenagers), high school, rivers of booze, a stint in the Army, college & marriage. We have to endure his search for the fabled Temple Of Gold, helpless to save him the trouble. There is more tragedy than triumph, more sadness than laughter, more anger than understanding...in short, Raymond experiences Life. Reading this book, I felt the sense of powerlessness my own parents must have felt. You can only witness in silence as painful, life-altering decisions are made. Wisdom can only be found on the other side of mistakes and bad decesions...it cannot be taught. Raymond has to bludgeon his soul before he can mend it. Temple Of Gold is wonderully written. It is realistic and moving. If it lacks something in the eloquence department, it is because Raymond is telling the story...not Zock. I'm afraid I've lost the thread somewhere in this review...just read the book. You'll be very glad that you did. Teen-angst isn't usually this edible in literature. Comment | Permalink | (Report this)