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Iron Curtain by Vesna Goldsworthy

Iron Curtain

A Love Story

by Vesna Goldsworthy

  • Critics' Consensus (8):
  • Readers' Rating (49):
  • Published:
  • Feb 2023, 336 pages
  • Rate this book

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Reviews

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There are currently 25 reader reviews for Iron Curtain
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Sonya_M

Iron Curtain, so much more than a love story!
Excellent Book. I could not put it down. Less a love story, than a wonderful reflection on and comparison of the culture and political philosophy in democratic and communist countries in the 80's. The book takes place in an unnamed communist country (not Russia), behind the iron curtain, and then later in London. It's written in the voice of Milena a Red Princess, who lives a rich lifestyle, protected by her father, a senior member of the communist leadership. She falls in love with a visiting poet and escapes to London, where she reflects on the lack of a guarantee for the basic requirements for survival – food, lodging, a job. Her comparisons with her home country's guaranties of basic needs, but absent basic freedoms is interesting. Absolutely fascinating behind the scenes descriptions of society in the communist country, focusing on the hopes of the revolution vs tight oversight of lifestyle and conservative control over marriage and birth control. The freedoms of a capitalist country are certainly stark and dreary in comparison to the guarantees of Milena's lifestyle at home. And for those who might be put off by the advertisement of romance, and love story, don't be! That plays a lesser role in the story of two contrasting but controlling cultures. And the absolutely fascinating mindset of this so called "Red Princess."
Cynthia V. (New York, NY)

A Great Way to Begin 2023!
I was so sorry to come to the end of Iron Curtain; I wish I had someone to discuss it with! This novel has it all in my eyes. First, there are fascinating settings...an unnamed Soviet satellite country...moving to London and environs all during the early 1980s. There is pitch perfect writing filled with sly humor, intelligence and thoughtfulness throughout. I always felt in good hands reading the author's words. She knew exactly what she was trying to convey and was meticulous in her character and story development. I loved the simmering tension stemming from political and cultural issues. I recommend this work very highly; would be great for book group discussions.
Teresa_L

Life Behind the Curtain
Its always so interesting to me to read a story from outside the "Western" world and Iron Curtain: A Love Story delivers!

I'm not really sure I would call this a "Love" Story, more a story of a naïve privileged sheltered girl who lives a life in a Golden cage...when she finds her first love she decides to leave her comfortable bubble and grows up quickly when exposed to the real world!

Set in the 80's during the Cold War Communist Era, I think this book more shows the contrast between those at the "top" in the Communist party and the "workers" who are divided below. All the themes of isolation, East vs West, rich vs poor, democracy vs communism, etc were really well developed and captured.

Personally; without giving anything away, I was disappointed in Milena's final choice, but I understand why she made her choice, maybe we can't fight our nature. If you like a little tragedy in your stories, this book will speak to you!

Overall a good read.
Dorothy M. (Broken Arrow, OK)

Discovery of a Love Story
Iron Curtain: A Love Story by Vesna Goldsworthy takes readers into the life of Milena Urbanska, a "red princess" who lives in an unnamed Soviet satellite in the 1980s. While she lives in luxury, she chafes against her lack of freedom.

Meeting Jason, a British poet, Milena immediately falls in love and begins to look toward a future with him and with freedom. Despite her mother's warnings about Jason's unsuitability, Milena marries him. They are madly in love, at least so Milena thinks. They live in poverty since Jason considers himself a poet, not a man who works a day-to-day job. Milena takes a job at the Royal Entomological Society, translating from Russian into English for a research project.

Milena discovers she is pregnant with twins and Jason is overjoyed. Milena's joy is short-lived when she learns Jason has a mistress. The story takes readers through the ups and downs, many downs, of Milena and Jason's relationship. The story ends satisfactorily for this reader. For book clubs, the story will provide many topics of conversation: marital strife, poverty, the Cold War, and freedom.
Carolyn B. (Aiken, SC)

Slow Starter
In the beginning, I thought I was going to give up on this book. I kept putting it down and not really excited about reading. Milena was a spoiled brat. She did not have realistic expectations for herself or Jason. But the story got a lot more interesting when she decided to leave home. At that point, it was a page turner. I kept expecting Jason to change but he didn't. He was immature and self centered. Melina was the strong, mature one; doing what was necessary. I can't imagine what it would be like to have your actions always watched, recorded.
I would recommend this book.
csbeard

Slow starter
In the beginning, I thought I was going to give up on this book. I kept putting it down and not really excited about reading. Milena was a spoiled brat. She did not have realistic expectations for herself or Jason. But the story got a lot more interesting when she decided to leave home. At that point, it was a page turner. I kept expecting Jason to change but he didn't. He was immature and self centered. Melina was the strong, mature one; doing what was necessary. I can't imagine what it would be like to have your actions always watched, recorded.
I would recommend this book.
Laura_Poe

Culture Clash
Milena Urbanska is a "red princess," the daughter of the vice president of a Soviet communist satellite, enjoying relative privilege in her home country. When a friend asks her to serve as a translator for a British poet who is accepting a minor prize, she falls in love and ultimately follows him back to London. She is immediately thrown into a clash of cultures. At home, she was economically privileged, but politically , morally, and emotionally constrained by the political system. In Britain, the political, emotional and moral fronts are wide open, but Jason Connor, her poet husband, is a graduate student and economically times are hard. Her struggle to balance and adjust to this cultural dichotomy provides the storyline of the book. The tale is poignant, occasionally humorous, and ultimately a bit tragic. Well worth reading.
Power Reviewer
Carol T. (Ankeny, IA)

Keep reading!
When I started this book, I thought "how slow. how Russian." But I'm glad I hung in because by the middle it was good and by the end very good. Highly recommended - but hand in there.

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Debugging Information
ColdFusion Server Developer 2021,0,13,330286
Template /reader_reviews/index.cfm
Time Stamp 01-Jun-26 02:30 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
1780324224117 ms 1.78032422412E+012 ms 1 /root/website/app_server.cfm
1222 ms 1222 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
319 ms 319 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm
256 ms 256 ms 1 /root/website/app_globals.cfm
181 ms 181 ms 1 /root/website/app_layout.cfm
170 ms 170 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm
162 ms 162 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm
140 ms 140 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm
90 ms 90 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_right_column.cfm
88 ms 44 ms 2 /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm
58 ms 58 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm
54 ms 54 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_footer.cfm
53 ms 53 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/showcase_track.cfm
42 ms 42 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm
42 ms 42 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_first_impressions.cfm
37 ms 37 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/AdZone6.cfm
20 ms 20 ms 1 /root/website/act_check_login.cfm
19 ms 19 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm
18 ms 18 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm
17 ms 6 ms 3 /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm
17 ms 17 ms 1 /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm
17 ms 17 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm
16 ms 16 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm
14 ms 14 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_briefshell.cfm
13 ms 13 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm
12 ms 12 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm
11 ms 11 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm
10 ms 10 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm
8 ms 8 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_header.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/formurl2attributes.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_menu.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/banners/ad_594.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/js/fbjavascriptsdk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_views.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_top_brief_block.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/dsp_bottom_block.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/google_tags.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/head.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/header_announcement.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_search.cfm
1 ms  STARTUP, PARSING, COMPILING, LOADING, & SHUTDOWN
1223 ms  TOTAL EXECUTION TIME
red = over 250 ms average execution time


SQL Queries

spidercheck (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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=19ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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=17ms, Records=2) in /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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 @ 14:30:24.024
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=12ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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=7ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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=10ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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 @ 14:30:24.024
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=14ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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=18ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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=129ms, Records=4) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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_book_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=20ms, Records=1) in /root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
SELECT 	ezine_preview_bb_link, ezine_preview_title
		FROM 	ezine_previews
		WHERE 	ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17252

get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=50, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
SELECT 		top 50 reader_review_reviewer_email_address, count(reader_review_reviewer_email_address) as "count"
	FROM 		reader_reviews
	WHERE 		reader_review_reviewer_email_address like '%@%'
	AND 		reader_review_reviewer_email_address <> 'reviews@bookbrowse.com'
	GROUP BY 	reader_review_reviewer_email_address
	
	
	ORDER BY 	count desc
get_preview_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=16ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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) = 17252

get_preview_awards_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=11ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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) = 17252

get_briefs_reader_rating (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=139ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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) = 17252
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17252

get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=170ms, Records=25) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
SELECT 		a.reader_review_number, a.book_number, a.ezine_preview_number, a.reader_review_approved_flag, a.reader_review_dt,
				COALESCE(NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(m.discourse_username)), ''), NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(a.reader_review_reviewer_name)), '')) AS reader_review_reviewer_name,
				a.reader_review_reviewer_email_address, a.reader_review_reviewer_from_locale, a.reader_review_recommended, a.reader_review_rating, a.reader_review_title, a.reader_review_description, ISNULL(a.like_count, 0) AS like_count,
    			b.ezine_preview_title,
    			ISNULL(e.edit_count, 0) AS edit_count,
    			e.last_edit_dt,
    			a.member_number AS review_member_number
    FROM 		reader_reviews a
    INNER JOIN	ezine_previews b ON a.ezine_preview_number = b.ezine_preview_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN (
    	SELECT reader_review_number, COUNT(*) AS edit_count, MAX(edited_dt) AS last_edit_dt
    	FROM   reader_review_edits
    	GROUP BY reader_review_number
    ) e ON e.reader_review_number = a.reader_review_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN members m ON m.member_number = a.member_number
	WHERE 		a.ezine_preview_number = ?
    AND			a.book_number = 0
    AND 		a.reader_review_approved_flag = 1
    

	ORDER BY a.reader_review_rating DESC, a.reader_review_dt DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17252

get_arc_idfk (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=20ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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) = 17252

get_arc_idfk_legacy (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=12ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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) = 17252

obc_discussions (Datasource=booktalk_new, Time=205ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 14:30:24.024
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=76ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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) = p17252

ya_check (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=19ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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) = 17252

get_books_by_brief (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=37ms, Records=20) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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) = 17252

get_author_bookcount (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=9ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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=16ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
select a.arc_forumidfk
    from arcs a
    
    	where a.ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_numeric) = 17252.0

IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'sonyamag@verizon.net'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'Cinvdb2@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'teresagaineslang@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'dorothyminor10@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'beardcarolyn48@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'csbeard@att.net'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=0) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'lauraapoe@gmail.com'
IsPowerReviewer (Datasource=, Time=0ms, Records=1) in /root/website/reader_reviews/dsp_reviews.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
select *
			from get_reader_reviews_power_reviewers
			where reader_review_reviewer_email_address LIKE 'cjpturner@gmail.com'
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=12ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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=29ms, Records=3) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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=10ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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=17ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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=6ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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=8ms, Records=1) in /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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 @ 14:30:25.025
SELECT 	*
    FROM 	free_newsletters
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=32ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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=7ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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=10ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 14:30:25.025
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/reader_reviews/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=
HTTP_HOST=dev.bookbrowse.com
HTTP_REFERER=
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=/ezine_preview_number/17252/page/2/order/bw/iron-curtain
PATH_TRANSLATED=/root/website/reader_reviews/index.cfm
QUERY_STRING=
REMOTE_ADDR=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_HOST=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_USER=
REQUEST_METHOD=GET
SCRIPT_NAME=/reader_reviews/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=4104078
cftoken=70727bc4960050bf-23EDFD4E-CD61-8D40-9FF7A5803771CE85
hitcount=1
lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 14:30:24'}
library_user_flag=0
member_active_flag=0
member_logged_in_flag=0
member_number=0
order=p
timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 14:30:24'}
urltoken=CFID=4104078&CFTOKEN=70727bc4960050bf-23EDFD4E-CD61-8D40-9FF7A5803771CE85
view=books
Cookie Variables:
CFID=4104078
CFTOKEN=70727bc4960050bf-23EDFD4E-CD61-8D40-9FF7A5803771CE85
Session Variables:
cfid=4104078
cftoken=70727bc4960050bf-23EDFD4E-CD61-8D40-9FF7A5803771CE85
sessionid=BOOKBROWSE_4104078_70727bc4960050bf-23EDFD4E-CD61-8D40-9FF7A5803771CE85
urltoken=CFID=4104078&CFTOKEN=70727bc4960050bf-23EDFD4E-CD61-8D40-9FF7A5803771CE85
URL Parameters:
ezine_preview_number=17252
iron-curtain=
order=bw
page=2
Debug Rendering Time: 87 ms