Cal Gant #1

Until They Bring the Streetcars Back

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Until They Bring The Streetcars Back serves up a nostalgic journey through the streets of post-war 1949 Saint Paul-- those wistful days of ten-cent sodas, big band music, and burning leaves. Stanley West weaves rollicking humor, riveting suspense, and a bittersweet love story into the fabric of those optimistic times. Through a seemingly harmless prank and a chance conversation, Cal Gant, previously secure in the friendly neighborhoods of his idyllic life, stumbles onto the naked face of cruelty, incest, and murder. When he attempts to rescue a strange and haunting girl, he finds himself in a heart-stopping struggle with her ruthless father, leading Cal to the brink of self-doubt, terror, and death itself. Can he find within himself the backbone to stand against the horror and the daring to concoct some scheme to set Gretchen free?

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 5,1997

Series

This edition

Format
276 pages, Paperback
Published
July 1, 1997 by Lexington Marshall Publishing, LLC
ISBN
9780965624763
ASIN
0965624765
Language
English

About the author

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Stanley Gordon West was born in 1932 and attended St. Paul Central High School in Minnesota. He lived in Bozeman, Montana for several years, and now resides in Shakopee, MN. All of his novels are popular book club selections: Blind Your Ponies, two other novels set in the same time and place as Until They Bring the Streetcars Back - Finding Laura Buggs and Growing an Inch - and his most recent, Sweet, Shattered Dreams. His novel Amos was made into a CBS Movie of the Week starring Kirk Douglas that stirred national controversy over abuse of the aged in America. When Kirk Douglas testified before Congress and wrote in the New York Times on the issue, he pointed out that animals had been protected by law for one hundred years before children or the aged. While Amos focused on elder abuse, Until They Bring the Streetcars Back explores the other vulnerable end of the age spectrum.

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
29(29%)
4 stars
38(38%)
3 stars
33(33%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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The book initially began at a rather sluggish pace, and I was somewhat deterred by the outdated language. However, as I persisted, I gradually became accustomed to it, and in the end, it turned out to be an extremely good book.

I had the privilege of growing up in St Paul, which made reading this book an absolute delight. I could vividly picture the neighborhood, the streets, and the high schools, among other things.

I am now eager to read his book titled Amos, which focuses on the issue of elderly abuse. He is an incredibly sensitive author who effectively conveys the characters' emotions with great depth and feeling.

His writing style has the power to draw readers in and make them truly care about the characters and their stories. I look forward to experiencing another engaging and thought-provoking read from him.
July 15,2025
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This was an extremely enjoyable piece to read.

The reason being that it presents a captivating story that is firmly set in St. Paul during the 1940s.

The era of the 1940s has its own unique charm and allure, and this story manages to bring that to life in a vivid and engaging manner.

As I delved into the pages, I was transported back in time to the streets of St. Paul, imagining the hustle and bustle, the fashion, and the way of life during that particular period.

The author has done a wonderful job of creating a rich and detailed setting that serves as the perfect backdrop for the story's events and characters.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and would highly recommend it to others who have an interest in historical fiction or simply enjoy a good story.

July 15,2025
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This story is set in St Paul, Minnesota, in 1949.

Cal Grant is a senior at Central High School. His family, not wealthy but getting by, doesn't own a car as his father, a streetcar driver, believes they don't need one. They rent an apartment at a discount as they are also the caretakers.

Cal is a fairly popular kid at school. He's a decent football player and an outstanding basketball player. There's a girl at school he thinks he's in love with, he has a group of friends to hang out with, and a job at the nearby grocery delivering groceries.

One day, he and his entire study hall class draw detention. When Gretchen Luttermann sits down behind him in the auditorium and says her father will beat her, Cal is introduced to her. Gretchen didn't participate in the prank that led to the entire class getting detention, but the teacher didn't let her off.

After this, Cal starts to learn more about Gretchen, nicknamed Gretch the Wretch, and how her life is a living nightmare. Cal wants to help her, but she has sworn him to secrecy.

This leads him to make some heartbreaking choices to help Gretchen.

I chose to read this book because it's set in St Paul and I always like to read stories set in places I know. What I wasn't ready for was how much I would be drawn into the story. I found myself crying for Cal and Gretchen. It's a touching and emotional tale that really makes you think about the challenges and hardships that some people face in life.
July 15,2025
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One of the Sisters (nuns) at my workplace, which is an elder living facility, recommended this particular book to me. I decided to take her up on the recommendation.

I have always been eager to read a book written by a local author. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. In fact, I really enjoyed it.

It turned out to be quite different from what I was expecting. I had initially thought it would be rather innocent, but as I delved into it, I realized it had more depth and complexity. Maybe I was profiling it wrongly, I admit.

What made it even more interesting was that I could easily picture the streets and intersections the author was writing about. It was like taking a virtual tour of a familiar place through the pages of the book. It was truly a fun and engaging reading experience. :)
July 15,2025
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I was completely spellbound by this book. As I was organizing my books, I accidentally came across this one within my husband's collection. Without hesitation, I sat down on the floor and delved into it, reading it cover to cover. The vivid portrayal of history and day-to-day life within its pages truly took me back in time. It was as if I was right there, experiencing everything alongside the characters, struggling with them through their various trials and tribulations. The author's ability to bring the story to life was simply remarkable, and I found myself completely immersed in the world that had been created. This book is definitely a must-read for anyone who has an interest in history or enjoys a good story that can transport them to another time and place.

July 15,2025
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This is truly one of the best books I've come across in a long time!

It gives off the same wonderful vibes as my all-time favorite book, To Kill a Mockingbird.

The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and it has a profound message that really sticks with you.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.

In fact, my son read this during his junior year of high school, and he absolutely loved it.

It not only entertained him but also made him think about important issues such as justice, equality, and morality.

I'm so glad he had the opportunity to read this book, and I'm sure it will have a lasting impact on him.

If you haven't read this book yet, I highly encourage you to do so. You won't be disappointed!
July 15,2025
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I absolutely love this book. It's truly a remarkable piece of work. The only minor drawback I experienced was that it took me a little while to really get fully immersed in it. Additionally, there were certain aspects that could potentially be triggering for some readers. However, despite these small caveats, the book is extremely well-written. It has this magical ability to keep my interest piqued from start to finish. What's more, it's incredibly funny. The humor is so cleverly woven into the story that it not only makes me laugh out loud, which is something that has never happened to me before while reading, but it also keeps the story line flowing in an amazing way. It's a rare combination of elements that makes this book truly special. I found myself both laughing and crying while reading it, and that's a testament to its power. In conclusion, this book is amazing. Very very very amazing.

July 15,2025
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What an incredibly powerful book this is!

I vividly remember reading it during my high school days, and its impact has remained with me throughout all these years.

However, I recently felt an urgent need to reestablish a connection with the characters who had so profoundly changed the way I perceived many aspects of life.

This remarkable book presents abuse from an outsider's perspective, delving into the narrator's internal struggle of how to offer help without placing the victim in any further peril.

It is indeed a difficult read, yet it hits you right in the gut, leaving a lasting impression.

Not to mention, it also showcases a family that experiences the negative side effects resulting from the replacement of streetcars with buses.

At first glance, you might not think these two topics have any connection whatsoever, but they share one common factor - Cal, our narrator.

Both of these events have had a profound impact on his life, bringing about both good and bad changes.

Overall, this book is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers long after they have turned the final page.
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