Reviews for Life Could Be A Dream

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5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD READ

Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2025

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

Life Could Be a Dream is a wonderful look back on childhood in the 1950s in Southern California. I found it especially interesting as I moved to the San Fernando Valley in the early 1960s and recognized some of the locations in the story. It is also a coming-of-age story of a young boy who loved to play baseball. However, it is much more than that. It is about Robby, a gentle, tender young boy who lives through a terrible tragedy in his life. It is about how he survives a cold, unloving father with the help of his older brother, kind strangers, his grandmother and his father’s brothers – uncles who stepped in when necessary. It is a story about a loving, loveable, emotional boy growing up in a family and at a time when it was not acceptable to be any of these things.

I loved this book and wanted to take Robby and his little brothers into my lap, hug them and try to “make it better.” The protagonist was such a strong character that I wanted to know what happened to him so I bought the sequel, Marlene, for my Kindle.

This was a good book that I am happy to recommend to other readers.

5.0 out of 5 stars VIVID & TOUCHING PICTURE OF LIFE IN THE 50s

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Through an amazing wealth of details, Rex brings a fresh story with character complexity across several generations--Great Depression children, survivors of WWII and their offspring--and plants the reader firmly in the Southern California of the mid 50s. It was an era of struggle but hope, a growing-up story of a boy who could be many of us. If you remember the joys of learning about the world from books, the fun of building forts in the fields nearby your home, your complex interactions with schoolmates, friends, teachers and the challenges and rewards of parents, loss, supportive relatives and the realities of economics of struggling to become better off...there's much in Rex's evocation of a bygone era to enjoy here, and bring you back into your own memories. His writing style is straightforward but highly evocative and the storyline quickly carries you in and carries you throughout the novel.

Disclosure: I was a medical colleague of Dr Greene from our training days at the LA County General Hospital until his retirement as a highly esteemed oncologist, and I was delighted to see his career as author extend his insights into many further dimensions.

5.0 out of 5 stars SEMI AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL story.

Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2023

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have known the author for many years, as erudite medical colleague and good friend. Received today his book “Life Could be a Dream”! Eagerly started to read it, but could not help wondering how much of this is autobiographical? It flows wonderfully, almost breathlessly as though written in one swoop. What a pleasure!

5.0 out of 5 stars IF YOU WERE A KID IN SO-CALIFORNIA IN 1950s

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2025

Format: Kindle

Lets take a trip down memory lane. If you liked the era of Willie Mays &Mickey Mantle and playing ball games in the streets, using vacant lots for play grounds, and loving your Mom and wondering about Dad. Hmmmph…The Dads mainly vererans and no such thing as PTSD. At every corner the author brings in a location and forgotten memory. I liked the cast and storyline ; the twist and turns. But mostly I relished taking the time to reminisce. I hope you enjoy the journey.