Read advance reader review of A Theater for Dreamers by Polly Samson

Summary | Reviews | More Information | More Books

A Theater for Dreamers by Polly Samson

A Theater for Dreamers

by Polly Samson

  • Critics' Consensus (67):
  • Readers' Rating (34):
  • Published:
  • May 2021, 336 pages
  • Rate this book

About this book

Reviews


Page 1 of 3
There are currently 17 member reviews
for A Theater for Dreamers
Order Reviews by:
  • Mary L. (Greeley, CO)
    Through innocent eyes
    Through the eyes of 18-year-old Erica, we escape to the island of Hydra in 1960 and a cosmopolitan group of writers, artists, and a few young adults who, like Erica, each seek something not quite in their reach. Polly Samson creates, through almost poetic phrasing, both atmosphere and understanding of the Hydra lives of Charmian Clift, George Johnston, Leonard Cohen and others as they interact that one summer. But it is through Erica's eyes and life that the reader experiences Hydra--the loveliness and the broken hearts of one eventful summer. Then we have a few final glimpses of life after the 1960 Hydra summer.
  • Eileen C. (New York, NY)
    Watching the dreamers dream
    Recently, we watched the perfect pandemic television show, "The Durrells in Corfu." Although "A Theater for Dreamers" is set decades later and on the Greek island of Hydra rather than Corfu, it had the same memorizing quality. Samson uses the adventures of a fictional young woman, Erica to write about a group of real people — Charmian Clift, George Johnson, Axel Jensen, Marianne Ihlen, and Leonard Cohen —who are all trying to create art. Samson mixtures the fictional with the factual—which is both fascinating and, occasionally, jarring—in order to explore the role of the muse and how it affects women's own creativity. Sometimes meandering, this beautifully written novel pays homage to a group of damaged, but brilliant artists.
  • Rosanne S. (Franklin Square, NY)
    A Theater for Dreamers
    I was a school administrator for many years and there was a teacher who would often ask her class "what would happen if everyone did what they want?". 'A Theater for Dreamers' embodied that question to the max.

    At the beginning of this wild ride of a read, I was totally turned off and confused. Characters coming and going, changing, moving here and there, sleeping together and then not sleeping together, WHOA!!! Why keep reading???? Simply because it was enchanting and captivating and full of surprises right to the very last page.

    The biggest surprise to me was that it was all real. I know that I requested to receive a copy to review but I had forgotten why when the book arrived. I'm really glad that I did because I read the book completely unaware and in awe. The best got even better when I came to realize it was real people and a pretty real story.

    I highly recommend 'A Theater for Dreamers', open your mind to the wonder of it and enjoy.
  • Beth M. (New York, NY)
    Hydra is for dreamers
    I love, love, loved this book. What a fabulous read and the perfect escape for these times. Polly Samson's new novel is a wonderful snapshot of a glorious time (in the early 1960's) on the Island of Hydra. The descriptions are so poignant and accurate ( I was there 3 years ago). Narrated by16 year old Erica, it features an eclectic group of writer, poets, painters and musicians. Led by the writers Charmian Cleft and her husband George Johnson, their entourage includes Alex Jensen a destructive writer and his gorgeous wife, Marianne and the young Leonard Cohen. Wow! Their tangled lives and utopian dreams are fleshed out in beautiful, evocative prose. As their paradise splinters, pain and loss multiply. All the characters are human and flawed. I became so attached to their gossip,lives, and loves. I wanted to stay with them much longer. The ending was satisfying although I hope there's a second book.
  • Arlene I. (Johnston, RI)
    To Be or Not To Be..
    Welcome to the Island of Hydra in the 1960's. With a mixture of fictional and non-fictional characters,Polly Samson, gives the reader a chance to step back in time to one of the most decadent times in Greece. it was a roller coaster ride throughout the book. In order to make sense of the characters I do think knowledge of the "real characters" would help the reader get a sense of what it was to live in Hydra during this time period and who the real characters were. So I don't think this book can be what I call a "cold read".

    Kudos to the author for getting permission to use Leonard Cohan's material. I felt like i was there in Hydra listening to Cohen reading to a group. This made the book more authentic. The author showed that even the most talented did not have the best moral character. Quite the opposite, but Ms. Samson gave us a better inkling on what these characters were like in a story form rather than reading biographical material. Erica and Jimmy's character development grew throughout the book. Jimmy's ambition seemed to fit this era.

    The author pulled you into the decadence even though the cavorting characters were hard to keep up with.

    There were not clear cut answers to why the characters behaved they way they did. But outside a group of talented people, they behaved in a carefree, hippyish manner not justifying there actions to anyone and just doing what they wanted to do outside norms. If you were looking for a moral of the story you could probably add the tag line...being a muse is not all it's cracked up to be. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and during this pandemic it was great to get lost in a little history with some very famous people, no matter how outlandish I thought they were. I look forward to Ms. Samson's next book.
  • Julie Z. (Oak Park, IL)
    A Theater for Dreamers
    A sensual haze of a novel, set on the Greek island of Hydra in the 1960's. Young Erica has come to find herself after the loss of her mother. She reaches out to her mother's friend, Charmian Clift, a bohemian writer. She and her husband, George Johnston are surrounded by a group of artists, where a hedonistic life is the norm. Erica is with her boyfriend, her brother, and a few other friends, but soon becomes enmeshed in the lives of the older artists. As this was an ARC, I knew nothing of the book before reading, and am embarrassed to say that I did not know that Clift and Johnston were actual writers. Leonard Cohen also makes an appearance.
    This was a dream of a novel with sensuous and lush descriptions of the beauty of Greece. A small treat for those of us who cannot travel!
  • Jean B. (Naples, FL)
    What is this book
    This book could be just a beach read, telling a story of people enjoying a dream setting: beaches, inexspensive housing, heat, wine, sex and freedom. It could be a re-creation of a period of time in the lives of real authors and other creative persons. Maybe it's a story about lessons learned by a young person exposed to freedom. Or it is an indictment of selfish, egotistical, but talented men and the way they used women. It's all of these things, a story told through the eyes of young Erica.

    Most of the novel focuses on the freedom and the dream setting: endless partying, drinking, nudity, sexual inter-actions. It seemed frivolous and I was unaware that it was peopled by real authors and a period of time in their lives.

    The question the reader is left with is whether the creation of art excuses selfish and cruel behavior. Does genius excuse their behavior?
  • Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

More Information

Read-Alikes

BookBrowse Book Club

Book Jacket
The Cover Girl
by Amy Rossi
Find them early enough, and they will always be her girls.

Members Recommend

  • Book Jacket
    The Sister's Curse
    by Nicola Solvinic
  • Book Jacket
    The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes
    by Chanel Cleeton
    A mysterious book links three women across generations in this novel by New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton.
  • Book Jacket
    The Vanishing Place
    by Zoë Rankin
Who Said...

Never read a book through merely because you have begun it

Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!

Book
Trivia
  • Book Trivia

    Can you name the title?

    Test your book knowledge with our daily trivia challenge!

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

W the C A the M W P

and be entered to win..

Your guide toexceptional          books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

 


Debugging Information
ColdFusion Server Developer 2021,0,13,330286
Template /arc/arc_reviews/detail/index.cfm
Time Stamp 31-May-26 09:34 PM
Locale en
User Agent Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Remote IP 127.0.0.1
Host Name 127.0.0.1


Execution Time

Total Time Avg Time Count Template
1780263278462 ms 1.78026327846E+012 ms 1 /root/website/app_server.cfm
1004 ms 1004 ms 1 /root/website/arc/arc_reviews/detail/index.cfm
370 ms 370 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm
180 ms 180 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm
162 ms 162 ms 1 /root/website/app_layout.cfm
149 ms 149 ms 1 /root/website/app_globals.cfm
115 ms 115 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_right_column.cfm
95 ms 48 ms 2 /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm
62 ms 62 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm
56 ms 56 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/AdZone6.cfm
42 ms 42 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_footer.cfm
40 ms 40 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/showcase_track.cfm
37 ms 37 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm
30 ms 30 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_first_impressions.cfm
29 ms 29 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm
27 ms 27 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reviews_by_arc_id.cfm
26 ms 26 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm
26 ms 26 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm
19 ms 19 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_arc_by_id.cfm
16 ms 16 ms 1 /root/website/act_check_login.cfm
16 ms 16 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm
16 ms 16 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm
13 ms 4 ms 3 /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm
13 ms 13 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm
13 ms 13 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm
11 ms 11 ms 1 /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm
11 ms 11 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm
11 ms 11 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm
3 ms 3 ms 1 /root/website/arc/arc_reviews/detail/dsp_briefshell.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_header.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/arc/arc_reviews/detail/dsp_reviews.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_top_brief_block.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_bottom_block.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/head.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_menu.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_search.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/Application.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/act_libraryIPLogin.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/arc/arc_reviews/detail/dsp_views.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/banners/ad_594.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/formurl2attributes.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/js/fbjavascriptsdk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/act_book_view_tracking.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_booktalk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_header_newsletter.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_wordplay.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/email_modal.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/google_tags.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/header_announcement.cfm
2 ms  STARTUP, PARSING, COMPILING, LOADING, & SHUTDOWN
1006 ms  TOTAL EXECUTION TIME
red = over 250 ms average execution time


SQL Queries

spidercheck (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=12ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT	a.bot_number
        FROM	bots a
        WHERE	charindex(a.bot_name, ?) > 0
		OR a.bot_ip = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Parameter #2(cf_sql_varchar) = 127.0.0.1

get_member_info (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=16ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
select 	a.*, 
    		b.member_account_type_name, b.member_account_type_charge, b.member_account_type_charge_frequency,  b.member_account_type_months, 
            c.member_chargetype_name, c.member_chargetype_number, a.member_classification_number, a.member_book_format
	
    from members a, member_account_types b, member_chargetype c
	
    where a.member_account_type_number = b.member_account_type_number
	and a.payment_method_id = c.member_chargetype_number
	and a.member_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

adactive (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=10ms, Records=2) in /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT	viewby, section
    FROM	adsystem 
    WHERE	active  = 1 
    AND		start_date <= GETDATE()
    AND 	(viewby = ? OR viewby = 'all')
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = non

get_current_ezine (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=1, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
select		top 1 ezine_number, ezine_dt, ezine_image, ezine_brief_description, ezine_introduction
from		ezines
where		ezine_active_flag = 1
and 		ezine_type_number = 4
and			ezine_dt < getdate()
order by 	ezine_dt DESC
get_current_wordplay (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT		a.wordplay_number, a.wordplay_dt, a.wordplay_name, a.wordplay_intro_text, b.wordplay_puzzle_number, b.wordplay_puzzle_question
    FROM		wordplays a 
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzle_mapping c on c.wordplay_number = a.wordplay_number
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzles b on b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
	WHERE		a.wordplay_number = (	select top 1 a.wordplay_number
                                from wordplays a, wordplay_puzzles b, wordplay_puzzle_mapping c
                                where a.wordplay_number = c.wordplay_number
                                and b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
                                and a.wordplay_dt < getdate()
                                and a.wordplay_expiration_dt > dateadd(day, -1, getdate())
                                order by a.wordplay_dt asc
                                )
get_ComNo (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=10ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT 	TOP 1 	x.competition_number, x.bb_briefs_flag
	from			competitions x
	
		WHERE	x.competition_dt <= getdate()
		AND		x.competition_expiration_dt > dateadd(d,-1,getdate())
get_current_competition (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=15ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT 	x.competition_number, x.book_number, x.competition_teaser_title, x.competition_teaser_description, x.competition_intro_text, x.competition_expiration_dt, x.bb_briefs_flag, x.competition_full_info_flag, x.competition_type, x.competition_optin,x.competition_optin_text, 
				a.book_title as "title",
				(b.author_first_name + ' ' +  b.author_middle_initial + ' ' + b.author_last_name) as "author",
	            f.edition_publish_dt AS "hardcover_publish_dt", f.edition_jacket_image as "hardcover_jacket_image",
				g.edition_publish_dt AS "paperback_publish_dt", g.edition_jacket_image as "paperback_jacket_image"
	
		FROM 		competitions x
		INNER JOIN	books a on a.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	book_author_mapping c on c.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	authors b on c.author_number = b.author_number
		LEFT JOIN	editions f on a.book_number = f.book_number and f.edition_paperback_flag = 0
		LEFT JOIN	editions g on a.book_number = g.book_number and g.edition_paperback_flag = 1

		WHERE		x.competition_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_previous_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=0, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT 	a.arc_number,a.arc_client_url,a.arc_active_dt, a.arc_off_ad_dt,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publisher, 
		b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, b.ezine_preview_bb_comments, b.ezine_preview_isbn13,
		c.ezine_preview_category_name AS "ezine_preview_category",
		(select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) as "reviews",
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating,
 			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,1))) AS numeric(12,1)))from arc_allocator where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS "decrating"

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
INNER JOIN ezine_preview_categories c ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = c.ezine_preview_category_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt

ORDER BY a.arc_on_ad_dt DESC
get_future_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=21ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text, arc_on_ad_dt,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages, ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	
	WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1

	AND 		getdate() < arc_on_ad_dt
	
		ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_active_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE 		a.arc_obc_flag = 1
	AND			a.arc_active_flag = 0
	AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND 		getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND 		getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_recent_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=26ms, Records=4) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE a.arc_number IN (select top 4 arc_number
							from		arcs
							WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1
							AND			arc_active_flag = 0
							AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
							AND 		getdate() > arc_off_ad_dt
							ORDER BY	arc_on_ad_dt DESC)
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_arc_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=18ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arc_by_id.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT		a.arc_client_url,
			a.bc_active_flag,
			a.arc_forumidfk,
			b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publisher, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, b.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, b.ezine_preview_isbn, b.ezine_preview_isbn13, b.ezine_preview_bb_link, b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, b.ezine_preview_firsts_flag, b.ezine_preview_rating, b.ezine_preview_reading_level,
			c.ezine_preview_category_name,
			(select count(arc_allocator_review_rating) from arc_allocator	where arc_number = ? and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arccount,
            
            (select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) >= 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = ? and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating
     
FROM		arcs a
INNER JOIN	ezine_previews b on b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
INNER JOIN	ezine_preview_categories c on c.ezine_preview_category_number = b.ezine_preview_category_number

WHERE		a.arc_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 909
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 909
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 909

get_reviews_by_arc_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=27ms, Records=17) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reviews_by_arc_id.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT		arc_number, arc_allocator_number, arc_allocator_review_dt, arc_allocator_reviewer_name, arc_allocator_review_title, arc_allocator_review, arc_allocator_review_rating,
			member_cc_city, member_cc_state

FROM		arc_allocator a
inner join	members m on m.member_number = a.member_number

WHERE		arc_number = ?
AND			arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1


	ORDER BY arc_allocator_review_rating DESC, arc_allocator_review_dt DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 909

get_briefs_reader_rating (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=179ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT	(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) >= 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
			ELSE 0
			END) AS "avrating",
            count(rating) as "ratcount"
            
	FROM (
		SELECT reader_review_rating AS rating
		FROM reader_reviews
		WHERE ezine_preview_number = ?
		
		AND reader_review_rating > 0
		
		UNION ALL
		
		SELECT reading_list_book_rating AS rating
		FROM reading_lists
		WHERE book_number LIKE 'p%'
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) = ?
		AND reading_list_book_rating > 0
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) IS NOT NULL
	) combined_ratings
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 15707
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 15707

get_preview_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=14ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
select 			a.ezine_preview_number,
				a.ezine_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_category_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_title, 
				a.ezine_preview_subtitle, 
				a.ezine_preview_author, 
				a.ezine_preview_publisher,
				a.ezine_preview_publish_dt,
				a.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, 
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_image,
				a.ezine_preview_reviews,
				a.ezine_preview_short_summary,
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_desc,
				a.ezine_preview_reading_guide,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_comments, 
				a.ezine_preview_isbn,
				a.ezine_preview_isbn13,
				a.ezine_preview_rating,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_link,
                a.ezine_preview_bb_author_link,
                a.ezine_preview_firsts_flag,
                a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
                a.ezine_preview_paperback_flag,
				b.*,
                c.ezine_dt, c.ezine_description
,(select publisher_holding_company from publishers where ezine_preview_publisher like publisher_imprint AND publisher_holding_company LIKE 'Harper%') AS "publisher_holding_company"		
 				
from ezine_previews a 
inner join ezine_preview_categories b ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
left join ezines c ON c.ezine_number = a.ezine_number

where ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 15707

get_preview_awards_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
select a.book_award_number, a.book_award_name, a.book_award_image, c.book_award_dt
    from book_awards a 
    inner join book_awards_category b on b.book_award_number = a.book_award_number
    inner join book_awards_mapping c on c.book_awards_category_number = b.book_awards_category_number
    where ezine_preview_number =  ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 15707

get_arc_idfk (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=44ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 15707

get_arc_idfk_legacy (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=12ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 21:34:38.038
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1 AND a.discourse_flag = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 15707

obc_discussions (Datasource=booktalk_new, Time=274ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT 		t.name,
                m.title, m.body,
                u.username, t.id,
				(SELECT COUNT(*) from booktalk_messages where threadidfk = t.id) AS	"responses"
                
    FROM 		booktalk_forums f
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_threads t on t.forumidfk = f.id
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_messages m on m.posted = t.lastpostcreated
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_users u on u.id = m.useridfk
    
    WHERE 	f.id = ?
    AND 	f.active = 1
	AND		t.active = 1
    
    ORDER BY t.name, t.messages DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) =

searchResults (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=38ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT book_number, post_id, topic_id, blurb, username, topic_title
					FROM DiscourseSearchResults
					
        WHERE 		book_number = ? 
                    AND topic_id IS NOT NULL
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p15707

ya_check (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=15ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
select ezine_preview_reading_level 
from ezine_previews 
where ezine_preview_number = ?
and ezine_preview_reading_level = 2
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 15707

get_books_by_brief (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=22ms, Records=20) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
select 			top 20
				a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
				b.category_name,
				c.category_number, 
				d.book_number, d.book_title,
				f.author_number, f.author_first_name, author_middle_initial, author_last_name
				
from 			ezine_previews a 
inner join		categories b on b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
inner join		category_book_mapping c on c.category_number = b.category_number
inner join		books d on d.book_number = c.book_number
inner join		book_author_mapping e on e.book_number = d.book_number
inner join		authors f on f.author_number = e.author_number

where			a.ezine_preview_number = ? 

order by 		d.book_number DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 15707

get_author_bookcount (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=10ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
select		b.book_title as "title", 1 as "bb_flag", b.book_number as "number"
        from		book_author_mapping a
		inner join	books b on b.book_number = a.book_number
        where		a.author_number = ?
union
    	select		c.ezine_preview_title as "title", 0 as "bb_flag", c.ezine_preview_number as "number"
        from		ezine_previews c
        where		c.ezine_preview_bb_author_link = ?
        and			c.ezine_preview_bb_link = 0
		and 1=0
order by title DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_obc_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
select a.arc_forumidfk
    from arcs a
    
    	where a.ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_numeric) = 15707.0

get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=10ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT 	top 10 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1
and getdate() <= dateadd(day,1,a.arc_off_ad_dt)

ORDER BY NEWID()
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=18ms, Records=3) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT 	top 3 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
			b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
					(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
					 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
					 ELSE 0
					 END)
				from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

	FROM arcs a
	INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

	WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND arc_obc_flag = 0
	AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1

	ORDER BY a.arc_off_ad_dt DESC
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=27ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
	
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_quotes (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=25ms, Records=1) in /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
select top 1 ezine_number, ezine_quote, ezine_quote_title
	    from ezines
	    where len(ezine_quote_title) > 1
	    order by newid()
get_free_newsletters (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=4, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT 	*
    FROM 	free_newsletters
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=15ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
		 	AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #4(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        		AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 21:34:39.039
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 594


Scope Variables

CGI Variables:
AUTH_PASSWORD=
AUTH_TYPE=
AUTH_USER=
CERT_COOKIE=
CERT_FLAGS=
CERT_ISSUER=
CERT_KEYSIZE=
CERT_SECRETKEYSIZE=
CERT_SERIALNUMBER=
CERT_SERVER_ISSUER=
CERT_SERVER_SUBJECT=
CERT_SUBJECT=
CF_TEMPLATE_PATH=/root/website/arc/arc_reviews/detail/index.cfm
CONTENT_LENGTH=
CONTENT_TYPE=
CONTEXT_PATH=
GATEWAY_INTERFACE=
HTTPS=
HTTPS_KEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SECRETKEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SERVER_ISSUER=
HTTPS_SERVER_SUBJECT=
HTTP_ACCEPT=*/*
HTTP_ACCEPT_ENCODING=gzip, br, zstd, deflate
HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE=
HTTP_CONNECTION=upgrade
HTTP_COOKIE=CFTOKEN=2b844fd77c7753b5-FF99CBDC-A7C7-D28E-C79137DF152E90BC; CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order%3Dp%23member%5Fnumber%3D0%23member%5Factive%5Fflag%3D0%23member%5Flogged%5Fin%5Fflag%3D0%23library%5Fuser%5Fflag%3D0%23view%3Dbooks%23; CFGLOBALS=urltoken%3DCFID%23%3D4074759%26CFTOKEN%23%3D2b844fd77c7753b5%2DFF99CBDC%2DA7C7%2DD28E%2DC79137DF152E90BC%23lastvisit%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D05%2D31%2021%3A34%3A38%27%7D%23hitcount%3D11%23timecreated%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D05%2D31%2021%3A34%3A34%27%7D%23cftoken%3D2b844fd77c7753b5%2DFF99CBDC%2DA7C7%2DD28E%2DC79137DF152E90BC%23cfid%3D4074759%23; CFID=4074759
HTTP_HOST=dev.bookbrowse.com
HTTP_REFERER=http://dev.bookbrowse.com/arc/arc_reviews/detail/?arc_number=909
HTTP_URL=
HTTP_USER_AGENT=Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
LOCAL_ADDR=127.0.0.1
PATH_INFO=
PATH_TRANSLATED=/root/website/arc/arc_reviews/detail/index.cfm
QUERY_STRING=arc_number=909
REMOTE_ADDR=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_HOST=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_USER=
REQUEST_METHOD=GET
SCRIPT_NAME=/arc/arc_reviews/detail/index.cfm
SERVER_NAME=dev.bookbrowse.com
SERVER_PORT=8500
SERVER_PORT_SECURE=0
SERVER_PROTOCOL=HTTP/1.1
SERVER_SOFTWARE=
WEB_SERVER_API=
Client Variables:
cfid=4074759
cftoken=2b844fd77c7753b5-FF99CBDC-A7C7-D28E-C79137DF152E90BC
hitcount=14
lastvisit={ts '2026-05-31 21:34:39'}
library_user_flag=0
member_active_flag=0
member_logged_in_flag=0
member_number=0
order=p
timecreated={ts '2026-05-31 21:34:34'}
urltoken=CFID=4074759&CFTOKEN=2b844fd77c7753b5-FF99CBDC-A7C7-D28E-C79137DF152E90BC
view=books
Cookie Variables:
CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=order=p#member_number=0#member_active_flag=0#member_logged_in_flag=0#library_user_flag=0#view=books#
CFGLOBALS=urltoken=CFID#=4074759&CFTOKEN#=2b844fd77c7753b5-FF99CBDC-A7C7-D28E-C79137DF152E90BC#lastvisit={ts '2026-05-31 21:34:38'}#hitcount=11#timecreated={ts '2026-05-31 21:34:34'}#cftoken=2b844fd77c7753b5-FF99CBDC-A7C7-D28E-C79137DF152E90BC#cfid=4074759#
CFID=4074759
CFTOKEN=2b844fd77c7753b5-FF99CBDC-A7C7-D28E-C79137DF152E90BC
Session Variables:
cfid=4074759
cftoken=2b844fd77c7753b5-FF99CBDC-A7C7-D28E-C79137DF152E90BC
sessionid=BOOKBROWSE_4074759_2b844fd77c7753b5-FF99CBDC-A7C7-D28E-C79137DF152E90BC
urltoken=CFID=4074759&CFTOKEN=2b844fd77c7753b5-FF99CBDC-A7C7-D28E-C79137DF152E90BC
URL Parameters:
arc_number=909
Debug Rendering Time: 12 ms