City Boy by Herman Wouk
>> Thursday, March 6, 2008
Genre: Fiction
Publication Date: 1948
Pages: 317
Challenges: Decades 08 #4 (1940’s), A-Z Reading #14 (C Title), Eponymous Challenge #1
I first read this book back when I was in high school. If you only associate Herman Wouk with such novels as The Caine Mutiny or Winds of War you probably have never heard of this, his second novel. It’s a charming, humorous, yet bittersweet coming of age story.
It’s 1928 in The Bronx. Herbie Bookbinder is a fat, brainy, eleven year old kid. He’s smarter than most of his friends, but because of his complete lack of athletic ability is just not quite “a regular guy” at an age when a boy wants nothing more than to be considered “a regular guy”.
The book opens with Herbie’s heartbreak at discovering his teacher (and object of his current crush) has gotten married. Typical for an eleven year old, he soon recovers and finds himself hopelessly in love again – this time with the lovely red-haired Lucille Glass.
The story takes place in spring and summer – much of it at a summer camp called Camp Manitou. It almost reads more like a series of vignettes rather than a continuous story, but at the heart of all of it is Herbie – fat, misunderstood, unathletic, dorky before dorky was a word, Herbie. The cast of characters includes Herbie’s parents, his older sister Felica (known to Herbie as “Fleece”), his cousin Cliff and of course, a nemesis in the person of Lennie Kreiger, the not-so-smart, but athletic and good-looking son of Mr. Bookbinder’s business partner. I really think that the best character in the book is the one of a kind horse called Clever Sam.
It’s not laugh out loud funny (well, it is in a couple of places), but it’s charming, and at times heartbreaking and heartwarming. Herbie’s pursuit of Lucille, his adventures at camp, and the portrayal of a simpler time and place was a nice break from my usual mystery/thriller fare and I was glad to read this book again.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
10 comments:
This one is going on my wish list right now. Sounds great. Reminds me of an old movie called "Angus."
Thanks for another great review. I justed added this one to my TBR because of you. You are such an enabler! LOL!
Lynne: I've never heard of that movie - might have to check it out.
Teddy Rose: hee hee - sorry (not really!).
I'm afraid I'm going to add this to my list as well. It sounds like something I would really enjoying reading. Of course being on the TBR list and actually getting read are two completely different things.
I'm already buried in books, Suzi! Are you looking to make the avalanche tip, sooner? Sigh Okay. Onto the wish list it goes.
Framed: Oh I totally understand that. I finally started putting and 'added to the list' date on my TBR list - I'm trying to use the TBR challenge to finally get so some of those older ones.
Bookfool: I could say I'm sorry, but maybe it's just payback for all the ones that are on my list now with your name in the 'recommended by' column!
I had not heard of this one either. I think the word that describes my impression of it best was used by yourself: "Warm."
Sounds like a good rainy day read when you want to be moved (but not too much).
Thanks for the review!
Carrie: that's a perfect description :-)
I have associated Wouk with both books, especially The Caine Mutiny. This one sounds so appealing! I love coming of age stories and the Bronx setting is a plus.
Jenclair: it's really an enjoyable read - and so very different from what you'd expect from Wouk
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