It is incredible to think Peyton Place was written in the mid '50s. How scandalous and shocking! There's a lot of drama in this little New England town! I like to imagine every sleepy town in America to have as many eccentric characters, as many problems, as many secrets. Clearly Peyton Place was set in another era, when family values were so different. The 21st century reader should question...how different were they really? Metalious was a wonderful writer. I was engaged from the start and found a new favorite book. How great is it when that happens?!