Drop City

by T.C. Boyle
Drop City cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 10188
  • Added: 2026-01-16
  • Updated: 2026-01-16
  • ISBN: 9781101200353
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2004-01-27
  • Reviews: 3

Drop City is a gripping tale of a California commune's journey to Alaska in 1970, where they encounter other homesteaders and grapple with the harsh realities of survival. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the struggle for basic necessities in a hostile environment, offering a rich and unsentimental look at the ideals of a generation and their impact on the modern world. /n/n Written by the award-winning author of The Tortilla Curtain, Drop City is a gorgeously crafted epic that blends lyricism with raw storytelling, revealing human behavior at its most tender and compelling. It's a surprising story that not only entertains but also provokes thought about the American dream and its evolution over time.

Reviews
John Walters Writer · John Walters · 2021-05-15
engaging 3.00

The novel is not an easy read due to its exaggerated and violent elements. The story effectively captures the essence of the hippie movement but lacks depth in character development.

John Walters finds 'Drop City' to be a challenging read, primarily due to T.C. Boyle's tendency towards exaggeration and violence. He appreciates how the novel captures the spirit of the hippie movement in the 1970s, but he feels that the characters are not as deeply developed as they could be. The story is gripping and keeps the reader engaged, but it might not be suitable for those who prefer more subtle narratives. Walters also notes that the novel's exploration of the commune lifestyle is both fascinating and somewhat unsettling, making it a unique and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    Boyle has a propensity for exaggeration and violence, so this novel is not an easy read.

    The story effectively captures the essence of the hippie movement but lacks depth in character development.

    The novel's exploration of the commune lifestyle is both fascinating and somewhat unsettling.

HeidiTown · 2008-06-17
thrilling 4.00

The novel uses shock and awe to hook the reader, making it a gripping and intense experience. The story is likened to watching a car wreck, with a sense of inevitability and tension.

The HeidiTown reviewer highlights how T.C. Boyle uses shock and awe to draw the reader into 'Drop City'. The novel is a gripping and intense experience, with a sense of inevitability that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The story is compared to watching a car wreck, where you can't look away despite knowing the outcome. This approach makes the novel both thrilling and somewhat unsettling. The reviewer appreciates the bold storytelling and the way Boyle captures the chaos and unpredictability of the hippie movement. Overall, it's a powerful and memorable read that leaves a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    T.C. Boyle hooks the reader through the use of shock and awe.

    Much of the story is like watching the lead up to a car wreck and the reader just can't look away.

    The novel is both thrilling and somewhat unsettling.

The Guardian · 2003-04-05
compelling 3.50

The novel lacks a sense of struggle and grand conflict, which weakens its overall impact. The story is engaging but feels incomplete due to the absence of major conflicts.

The Guardian reviewer points out that 'Drop City' has a notable weakness: the lack of a significant struggle or grand conflict. This absence makes the novel feel somewhat incomplete, as the characters and their experiences do not reach the depth they could have. Despite this, the story is engaging and offers a unique perspective on the hippie commune lifestyle. The reviewer suggests that with a stronger central conflict, the novel could have been even more impactful. Overall, it's a compelling read that leaves the reader wanting more in terms of narrative tension.

Quick quotes

    If Drop City has a weakness, it is that there is too little sense of struggle in the novel.

    Boyle's characters are engaging, but the lack of major conflicts leaves the story feeling incomplete.

    The novel offers a unique perspective on the hippie commune lifestyle.

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