Set against two distinct epochs in the history of Pasadena, California, Arroyo tells the parallel stories of a young inventor and his clairvoyant dog in 1913 and 1993. In both lives, they are drawn to the landmark Colorado Street Bridge, or “Suicide Bridge,” as the locals call it, which suffered a lethal collapse during construction but still opened to fanfare in the early twentieth century … century automobile age. When the refurbished structure commemorates its 80th birthday, one of the planet’s best known small towns is virtually unrecognizable from its romanticized, and somewhat invented, past.
Wrought with warmth and wit, Jacobs’ debut novel digs into Pasadena’s most mysterious structure and the city itself. In their exploits around what was then America’s highest, longest roadway, Nick Chance and his impish mutt interact with some of the big personalities from the Progressive Age, including Teddy Roosevelt, Upton Sinclair, Charles Fletcher Lummis, and Lilly and Adolphus Busch, whose gardens were once tabbed the “eighth wonder of the world.” They cavort and often sow chaos at Cawston Ostrich Farm, the Mount Lowe Railway, the Hotel Green and even the Doo Dah Parade. But it’s the secrets and turmoil around the concrete arches over the Arroyo Seco, and what it means for Nick’s destiny, that propels this story of fable versus fact.
While unearthing the truth about the Colorado Street Bridge, in all its eye-catching grandeur and unavoidable darkness, the characters of Arroyo paint a vivid picture of how the home of the Rose Bowl got its dramatic start.
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Thank you HFVBT for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Arroyo
By: Chip Jacob’s
REVIEW
When I hear the word Pasadena, I automatically think of the Rose Bowl Parade. I do not, however, think of the Colorado Street Bridge, aka Arroyo, because I know nothing about it. This story is about Nick and his kind of psychic dog and the Arroyo bridge. Dual timelines run through the story. One is in 1913 when the bridge opens and another in 1993 after major renovations. Through Nick, we experience the novelty of Progressive Age, plus a few notable persons of the time such as Teddy Roosevelt and Upton Sinclair. Nick is an ambitious flawed figure whose destiny seems to be entwined with the Colorado Street Bridge and the city of Pasadena. What follows is a bizarre, entertaining, convoluted and fascinating story of a little known part of history. The bridge has a checkered past of death and hauntings. Workers died during construction, and the bridge is infamously labeled Suicide Bridge because of the baffling number of people who have jumped to their deaths. Of course, there are numerous accounts of ghost sightings and creepy lore about this feat of engineering. This story is a genre mix, and in that spirit, might contain a ghost or two. I think many people, such as myself, will enjoy the book for the historical information, as well as the combination of magical realism, adventure, historical fiction and fact, mystery, suspense and a touch of romance. The bridge is its own character as it looms over everything. Pasadena lends itself to an effortless atmospheric experience. This story is different and weird, but it’s quite interesting and informative, too. Get a copy for yourself, and look up some pictures of the Colorado Street Bridge. It’s really amazing!
Arroyo is a book I wasn’t sure I would like, honestly. It’s a debut novel and it’s set in two different time lines, one 1913 and one in 1993. Those kinds are sometimes hard for me to get into. But, I pushed through it all, and by the end, I was left with my jaw on the ground because what do you know? I loved it! It was well written and definitely captivating!
Jacobs creates a story that is filled with wonderful characters that will make you happy to follow them on their journey. He fills the story with vivid details of the Suicide Bridge in Pasadena, California and it helped me to feel as if I was truly there, walking beside Nick and his pup Royo, and all the other amazing characters along the way.
This is a fast read, one that will keep you hooked until the end and leave you wanting more of Jacobs’ talented writing. For a debut, alternate timeline novel, I was pleasantly surprised and definitely recommend this book to all! Grab a copy for yourself and see if Royo, Nick and the other characters don’t grip your soul and make you feel a part of the story! Well done to Jacobs!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
This is a fascinating and unique way to look at historical events, places, and people, but with an added element of magical realism and fictional storytelling. Nick’s interactions with several notable figures during the problematic build of the Colorado Street Bridge are charming and witty. We learn the origins of a few of Pasedena’s landmarks that still exist and there is an intriguing switch to 1993 and the mysteries still surrounding the famous bridge. Well-written and thoroughly enjoyable.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is a dual story line, 1913 with the clearing of land and construction of the Colorado Street Bridge, also more known by its nickname Suicide Bridge, and 1993 after large renovations and construction is completed on it. Nick, an ostrich riding and racing fellow works his way to being able to be a part of the 1913 structure. He has always wanted to use his light prototype and here is the chance to prove himself, and do something he loves. Nick quickly integrates himself with the contribution works on the bridge, and sees a while different working world.
An explosion occurs and a dog saves Nick, this becomes his new best friend and the two venture around the construction of the bridge while mingling amongst some of the elite- Busch gardens, and other tycoons of the time who had influence; Teddy Roosevelt, Charles Fletcher Lummis, and Upton Sinclair. Although there was all of this influence, the bridge being build was very controversial at the time, and 1993, eighty years later with the reconstruction it still is. There were lots of unexplained incidents and mysterious happenings.
The “Colorado Street Bridge has many myths and legends tied to it that still resonate on the lips of tourists and visitors today and Nick took us through the adventure of how this came to be. I learned quite a few historical things about this novel, and had no idea about how popular the ostrich farms and racing were. This novel was mostly focused in 1913, and does then end with the Nick of 1993, for the eightieth celebration. Thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite.
Arroyo is a Chip Jacobs’ novel. It follows the story of Nick Chance and a clairvoyant stray dog named Royo. First set in the early 1900s, the plot revolves around the construction of the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California.
The story begins with Nick Chance and his two friends doing a joyride on their favorite ostriches. During lunch breaks, they go out for a fun ride away from the workplace. Nick, R.G Scum, and Waldo Northcutt work at the Cawston Ostrich Farm. Although each of them holds different work assignments, they share the same pastime.
For a complete review of this book, please go to The Catalyst
As a native of Pasadena, it was fun to find a novel about the beloved bridge. The plot starts off well, but the final 25% of the book turns bizarro.
I was intrigued by this book and the story surrounding the famous and beautiful Pasadena, California “Colorado Street Bridge” also known by the locals as the “Suicide Bridge” were many lives were lost. As a long-time resident of Southern California and living only a few blocks from the bridge were I pass it by multiple times a day, I knew that this book by Chip Jacobs ARROYO would be a fantastic read. Part Historical Fiction and part Magical Realism this was a very creative story of learning the fascinating history surrounding the Arroyo Seco, and the surrounding San Gabriel Foothills and the Sierra Madre range through this fictional tale. I certainly learned a lot about the famous names that were either residents or have influenced Pasadena in some way such as Teddy Roosevelt, Upton Sinclair, Charles Fletcher Lummis, and Lilly and Adolphus Busch (Busch Gardens and Budweiser) to name a few.
I enjoyed how the story begins and is seen through the eyes of Nick Chance and his very unusual dog who saves his life which he calls Royo, in 1913. In a parallel timeline 80 years later in 1993, the story connects back to the famous bridge in a very interesting way. I thought the writing was very creative with beautiful prose that took me back to the early days when Pasadena was just developing and the residents that built the city to what it is today. I loved that the landmarks I know well now and how it started back in the day and to see some of the places still present to this day was remarkable to me. One of the places mentioned was Vroman’s which is an amazing independent bookstore that I frequent, and to know that it was already a part of Pasadena’s history since the early 1900’s was pretty amazing. I loved that the author also mentioned one of my favorite hang outs “Pie ‘n Burger” and the Colorado Blvd shops, and many famous names that I merely know now as famous streets in Pasadena, which now gives meaning and understanding.
We all know something about Pasadena, whether it’s from the Beach Boys song “Little old lady from Pasadena”, or have seen the famous Rose Parade every New Year, or have watched the football games at the Rose Bowl. I highly recommend this book for a great historical fiction read that is a delight and will capture your interest.
Chip Jacobs, Author of “Arroyo” has written a unique, intriguing and creative novel. The Genre for this novel is Fiction. There are glimpses of other genres such as History, Time-travel, Romance, and Paranormal. There is an underlying theme of good vs. evil. There are two parallel timelines in this novel, with the same characters. From the Blurb, “Arroyo tells the parallel stories of a man and his dog in 1913 and 1993. The story takes place in Pasadena California. The author describes his characters as complex, complicated and quirky.
Both stories center around “Suicide Bridge” or “Colorado Street Bridge. Nick Chance is an inventor but does have to do other things to survive. His dog seems to be “clairvoyant” and yet behaves at times like a frustrated and stubborn dog will do. In 1913, Nick has the responsibility of lighting up a new bridge, which will allow the new automobiles to cross over. Nick doesn’t realize the major changes to the beautiful area that this will allow. Unfortunately, there is a collapse and deaths early in the building. There is some speculation as to why this happened.
Nick and his dog do get to meet some famous people. In the parallel story, which is later in time, Nick has the possibility of seeing what happened in the parallel past. What dangers and consequences will occur?
I would recommend this combination fable-like and historical story for readers who enjoy unusual adventures.
As a Northern California native, I’m always attracted to books about the Golden State and this book is no exception. Chip Jacobs mixes beautiful prose, with an original story to provide a unique look at the city of Pasadena. I hope readers find this book as both an enjoyable fiction story and a tribute to Pasadena.
Synopsis:
Set against two distinct epochs in the history of Pasadena, California, Arroyo tells the parallel stories of a young inventor and his clairvoyant dog in 1913 and 1993. In both lives, they are drawn to the landmark Colorado Street Bridge, or “Suicide Bridge,” as the locals call it, which suffered a lethal collapse during construction but still opened to fanfare in the early twentieth century automobile age. When the refurbished structure commemorates its 80th birthday, one of the planet’s best known small towns is virtually unrecognizable from its romanticized, and somewhat invented, past.
Wrought with warmth and wit, Jacobs’ debut novel digs into Pasadena’s most mysterious structure and the city itself. In their exploits around what was then America’s highest, longest roadway, Nick Chance and his impish mutt interact with some of the big personalities from the Progressive Age, including Teddy Roosevelt, Upton Sinclair, Charles Fletcher Lummis, and Lilly and Adolphus Busch, whose gardens were once tabbed the “eighth wonder of the world.” They cavort and often sow chaos at Cawston Ostrich Farm, the Mount Lowe Railway, the Hotel Green and even the Doo Dah Parade. But it’s the secrets and turmoil around the concrete arches over the Arroyo Seco, and what it means for Nick’s destiny, that propels this story of fable versus fact.
While unearthing the truth about the Colorado Street Bridge, in all its eye-catching grandeur and unavoidable darkness, the characters of Arroyo paint a vivid picture of how the home of the Rose Bowl got its dramatic start.