Customer Reviews

Buffalo Gal

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With BUFFALO GAL, bestselling author Laura Pedersen has written a side-splitting memoir, chockfull of her trademark humor and familial history.

The setting for Pedersen's early years is Buffalo, a once-robust industrial city (the eighth largest in the United States at the turn of the 20th century) that falls on hard times. Once known as the City of Light, Pedersen dubs it the "City of Blight" in the aftermath of the economic problems of the 1970s. Pedersen recalls how her grandparents, natives of Denmark and Ireland, ended up in the snowy city that in the ultimate of ironies "is the place where air conditioning was invented" and boasts an unrivaled sense of neighborhood and neighborliness. She shares stories of shoveling driveways "just because" --- just because the people of her fair hometown cared for each other and KNEW each other in a way that isn't often seen today.

Pedersen paints a broad history of the region while sharing small details that once again reflect her keen eye and razor-sharp humor. For instance, in talking about the host of various soothsayers, religions and cults that settled at various times in Buffalo and the surrounding towns, she writes about the Shakers that they "first had a village outside Albany where they practiced communal living and celibacy while crafting unornamented, functional finely made furniture. It's difficult to grow a commune while practicing celibacy, so they eventually died out, but not before inventing the clothespin." She missed nothing and makes fun of all, including herself.

Throughout her recollections we meet a host of likable, quirky characters: a grandfather who dreamt of opening a Scandinavian restaurant, a lovesick "nutter" aunt who attempted suicide, and a mother hypersensitive to even the mildest illnesses and medical issues, who had no dirth of gems when it came to health: "Mom said the only good thing about having a small bathroom is that when you are sick and unsure of where the most activity is going to take place, you can sit on the toilet while leaning over to vomit in the tub."

During the 1930s, her grandmother began investing in the stock market --- IBM, Pepsi-Cola, General Motors, AT&T and others. She kept meticulous ledger entries, and they showed that she was a model day trader by "housewife standards." "Armed with only the newspaper, she bought and sold like a professional." Perhaps it was some of that intuitive knowledge that led Pedersen herself to ultimately leave Buffalo --- because "they didn't have a Buffalo Stock Exchange" --- to become the youngest person to have a seat on the American Stock Exchange. "The best traders," she found, "were championship bridge, backgammon, chess and poker players." And so years of beating her family at poker and sneaking off to Canada to play the ponies served her well. At 21, she was a millionaire.

Whenever I think about writing my own life story, I recall the laughs more than anything else, and Pedersen seems to have done the same. Chapter titles alone ("Can't We All Just Get a Lawn?", "When Johnny Comes Typing Home") show that she has an endless reserve of humor. Even when she touches on the town's economic downturn, she remembers the spirit of the people, their loves and devotions, and she does so with wit. Remembering the church changing its mass times, she points out that the folks in her town loved their teams and "God had to change his schedule for the Buffalo Bills."

Describing her grandfather's death, she writes, "Grandpa executed a typically Scandinavian death. One morning shortly before his 89th birthday he said, 'Take me to the hospital. I'm done.'" I echo the sentiment. I'm done. Pedersen's quirky, funny memoir will be my holiday gift of choice this year. Everyone is getting a copy.

--- Reviewed by Roberta O'Hara

I discovered this book while looking at other books about my hometown, Buffalo, NY. As an ex-pat living in the UK for the past 13+ years -- and very happily settled here -- I still have the occasional bout of homesickness, and Pederson's book seemed to offer a treat. Sadly, it's "memoir-lite" and "history-lite", and overall such a lightweight book that I had to persevere to finish. And, considering that Pedersen lived in my suburb and attended my high school (eight years after I did) and writes about teachers and places I know well, that says something. Her book reads like a series of after-dinner speeches and one-liners that she may have used in interviews. There's no depth to the historical facts she offers and little analysis of her experiences. The book is just OK, and I can't see it having any appeal to anyone outside of that small circle of locals to our suburb or to people who know her later life and want to explore her background a bit.

Much better memoirs about the life and times of a Western New York State girlhood are those by Catherine Gildiner: "Too Close to The Falls" and "After the Falls".

Laura makes no claims at being a historian (herstorian?) but she includes of couple of great sketches about growing up in a declining steel town buckling under more than its fair share of sleet and taxes.
Whether you were raised in the sunbelt or the frostbelt and lived through the 70s or are on your first rainbow poncho and afro, this book will keep you chuckling.
It was especially fun to remember how girls were tracked for secretarial work and homemaking and what it was like to come of age while all that was crumbling around them, especially when seen through the lens of a girl watching "The Mary Tyler Moore" while living in a neighborhood of career housewives.
Laura beautifully captures a time and a place where people didn't have much money (it was the worst recession since the Great Depression and also the Energy Crisis) and there was constant fear (The Vietnam War, The Cold War) and yet people were not only resourceful (flooding backyards to make skating rinks) but never failed to help each other out (shoveling sidewalks and driveways for seniors -- no note). It reminded me of a lesson we all seem to be relearning in these current difficult times -- people are more important than things. And laughter is not only the best medicine, but it's free.

I loved reading "Buffalo Gal!" Laura paints such vivid pictures of growing up in Buffalo during the '60's,'70's and early '80's. Her personal details are such fun, yet she always adds that historical perspective for us.
She is such an interesting person who has led an amazing life (be sure to read her other memoir about her years on Wall Street, "Play Money"), and has a gift for imparting her wisdom, while making the reader laugh out loud.
I found her story to be touching, hilarious, and ultimately inspirational. I highly recommend this book to all.

As a former Buffalo Gal, being given this book was like being handed backup memory for my own brain. There are so many things I never wanted to forget, and eventually share with my own children as they get older, and now I have not only a catalogue of my growing up years but a terrific memory jog for all of my own Buffalo stories. I love the way she wove in the history and culture with her own recollections. It's a great place with great people and I'm so glad Pedersen took the time and trouble to capture a slice-of-life so it's right there on my nightstand and I can get a cup of hot cocoa and travel back in time for a few minutes whenever I feel like it or just need a good laugh!

Having that I also grew-up in Buffalo, I found this book a wonderful walk down memory lane. It is a wonderful testament to the finer things in Buffalo (especially the people).
However, it's not just the location that had me taking a stroll down memory lane but the time frame. It had me recalling pop culture from my youth. This is a delightful book.

Beng Buffalo Gal myself and growing up here in the 1970's, I could relate. Couldn't put the book down!

What fun! I previously had read Ms. Pedersen's books, Beginner's Luck and The Big Shuffle. I read one of these books to see if they would be appropriate for my teenage niece and ended up buying more of her books for myself and recommending them to my friends! What I loved about her fictional works were the vivid characters that she created. They were interesting, unique, funny and quirky.....and you cared about them. After reading her memoir one understands that the author has a distinctive way of seeing, expressing and living life. She brings her upstate NY upbringing, family experience and a time and place in history into her writing. She is able to express love, intelligence and caring in a unique voice and with great humor.

Regardless of where you grow up, you always have times where you feel different and misunderstood; these are universal themes that Ms Pederson so creatively shares and expresses. Her way of looking at life is wonderful. That she accomplished and experienced so much at such a young age is nothing short of amazing. But it is ultimately her great wit and humor that will draw you in.......

One of my best reads in years! A superbly written memoir. "Buffalo Gal" is a wonderful read about taking any and all life shovels at you and finding fun, friendship and adventure! An added bonus, for those raised in snow-belt towns, as I was... it brings warm memories of frigid winters, butane hand-warmers, and thinking the closest you will ever get to spring and summer again is watching the intro to the Jackie Gleason show... "..and now, live from Miami Beach!"

Excellent Reading. Got to meet Laura Pederson at UB at an open forum about her book and growing-up in the Buffalo area. Brought back so many things from the past. She was exactly as she writes. Would highly recommend the book.