Arroyo: A Novel

This is a fun read, particularly if you are from Pasadena. Chip combines literary styles (classic noir with contemporary fiction prose) which gives it a lot of energy. His main character, Nick Chance, has fabulous interactions with real luminaries from the early part of the 20th century which is very entertaining to read. Pasadena's Colorado Street bridge is a character all on its own as we read about the design and construction and Nick's interactions with the building crews.

Arroyo has, within its' pages, all of the elements which make for great historical fiction:A setting which is detailed and intriguing.A group of real historical characters whose presence in the narrative adds to the excitement and depth of the reader's experience.Fictional characters who are believable and fascinating to the reader.Relationships between the characters that touch the heart and ring true to the reader's own experience.The setting of "Arroyo" is the Arroyo Seco, a broad and deep canyon which is part of the essence of the famed city of Pasadena, California. Spanning the Arroyo and the entire novel is the Colorado Street Bridge, which, on its' completion in the early 20th century, was an architectural wonder and work of art that smoothed the connection between Pasadena and the rest of Southern California.Chip Jacobs brings this massive bridge to life with vivid descriptions of its' construction that focus on its' colossal size and the dangers inherent in its' hands-on building. Jacobs focuses on the deaths that occurred during construction and the near death experience of the main character, Nick Chance.Along the way in "Arroyo," Nick Chance will interact with figures such as Upton Sinclair, Charles Lummis and Lily Busch of the famed brewing family. These characters are given a depth of involvement with Nick which renders them believable and not just historical props.Nick Chance is a young man who works at an ostrich ranch and races ostriches. Out of his intellect and ambition, he develops a solar lighting system for the new bridge in 1913. Jacobs frames Nick as a man rooted in his era and yet, believably, far ahead of his time. "Arroyo" also brings forth a loving relationship between Nick and his dog, named Royo. Royo is a maverick of a dog who also seems to be clairvoyant with his master. Any reader who loves an animal will know the beauty and fun of this relationship with the main character.As the novel progresses, Nick's involvement with a young woman is presented with warmth and eroticism. In a further progression, the focus shifts from 1913 to 1993-- a jump into a new character named Nick who, ultimately, is a reincarnation of the Nick of 1913. The bridge exists as a span between these two men and their eras. By the latter part of "Arroyo," it has become known as "suicide bridge" because of the number of desolate people who have leapt from its' heights over the decades.Jacobs brings to this historical tale his expertise at non-fiction environmental narratives and his extensive background in journalism. In Jacobs' first novel-length effort at fiction, the shift from early to late 20th century is a bit disappointing for this reader, but the overall narrative is fun to read-- full of interesting characters and laced with believable settings from small restaurants to the great, curving bridge.

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.

Not my usual genre of reading by far, but the subject was quite interesting.In this novel, you follow along with Nick Chance - an ostrich rider, solar engineer, entrepreneur, and all-around good guy that's fascinated with the building of the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena. You get immersed in the character's lives as the author does a wonderful job describing them. You get to meet Nick's dog (a stray that saves his life), ostriches named after first-ladies, Mrs.Busch (of Anheuser-Busch beer and Busch Gardens fame), and many other interesting people along the way. Exciting at times, this novel takes you on a journey of building a bridge, solar energy in a time when this was virtually unheard of, racing ostriches for fun, and even a bit of the mystical thrown in.I learned there used to be actual gardens named "Busch Gardens" in Pasadena on Millionaire's Row before the theme park. This led me down a rabbit hole of research on Ivy Hall. Very interesting reading.The part about parallel timelines was a little confusing for me but definitely an interesting idea. Let the author open your mind to new possibilities.Give this book a read, it's definitely worth your time.

Arroyo is a lively and engaging work of historical fiction, centered around the building of Pasadena's Colorado Street Bridge, known by locals as Suicide Bridge. The Beaux Arts masterpiece was built to span the Arroyo Seco, a deep and rugged canyon that didn't easily surrender to engineers erecting a shortcut between Pasadena and points west.Jacobs spins a compelling narrative spiced with historical curiosities including an ostrich farm, a beer magnate's luscious gardens and a "millionaires' row" of mansions owned by wintering Midwest tycoons. Cameo appearances by Teddy Roosevelt, Upton Sinclair and Lucretia Garfield (widow of the assassinated president) add to the fun.