Lost and Found in the 60s by Paul Justison
Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye returns as Mark Stenrud to bring the psychedelic era vividly life in Lost and Found in the 60s. Alienated from a toxic mother, and in constant conflict at his conservative high school because of his radical politics, Mark Stenrud escapes for Haight-Ashbury, where he takes a job in the post office and settles into a carefree existence in the psychedelic center of the universe. LSD chemists notice his organizational skills and calmness in the face of danger and recruit him to join their enterprise. He accepts and has free time for romance, adventures, and street justice. After months of success, he loses his touch, leading to narrow escapes, bad decisions, and his own downfall. Along the way, he learns about loss, forgiveness, and the meaning of self-respect.
BOOK DETAILS
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:978-1-956692-39-6
Publication Date: Nov. 8, 2022
In the Media
Praise for Paul Justison
Heartfelt, captivating, and engaging, author Paul Justison’s “Lost and Found in the 60s” is a must-read historical fiction and genre fiction read. The twists and turns in the character’s arc and the profoundly moving experiences the protagonist underwent that defined his character evolution kept me invested until the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
-- Anthony Avina
If you read Catcher in the Rye ... What a wonderful story in Lost and Found in the 60s by Paul Justison. Justison picks up where Salinger left off in Catcher in the Rye. If you haven't read that, it's a classic, and it should be read. However, Justison, reintroduces the reader to Holden Caulfield, where he comes to life as Mark Stenrud. It's an interestingly written story, and of course, takes place in the 60's LSD-era. It's not all psychedelic and rainbows, but it's shows the danger of making bad decisions just to "feel good." I like to admit that I wasn't born until after this era, not because of the era, but because I'm not that old, but this was a really great story. You learn about the side of the 60's that's not just about politics, hippies, and free love, but about adventure, tragedy and loss. This author brings the story to life. The characters had a lot of depth, and were very realistic. The story brings the reader on a superb journey. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. I hope to read more books by this author. Lost and Found in the 60s is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
--Amy's Bookshelf Reviews
This novel is excruciatingly accurate and totally outrageous. Justison has captured the extravagance of the time: the interplay of sexual liberation, psychedelic experiences and coming of age that made the community so intense and inviting. Was drug use so extensive and casual? You bet. Was casual sexual connecting so extensive and easy? Oh my, yes. The 60s, including its dark, scary, lonely, confused reality is all here, as well as the ecstasy, the kindness, and the sharing. If you weren't there, this is as close as you're going to get to knowing what you missed. The stories, the people, the vision- enjoy the trip.
James Fadiman, microdose researcher and Author, The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic and Sacred Journeys
This lively and engaging novel chronicles the adventures of a high school drop-out who leaves Arizona for the Haight Ashbury in the 1960’s where the credo was "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out.” The narrator, a bright, observant young man, quickly becomes part of Hippie culture of free love, tripping on marijuana and LSD, Be-Ins, Viet Nam War protests, and anti-draft demonstrations, which is captured in nuanced and textured detail.
Central to this novel is the protagonist’s deep respect for women as friends and lovers who are his equals in their shared explorations as well as existential lessons learned.
For those who were there, this novel will bring it all back, for those who weren’t, this novel is a vivid portrait of of the 60’s.
Wendy Martin
Professor of American Literature and American Studies
Founder and Editor, Women's Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal