The Jew of Home Depot and Other Stories (Johns Hopkins: Poetry and Fiction) [Hardcover]

Max Apple (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0801887380 | ISBN-13: 978-0801887383 | Publication Date: October 3, 2007 | Edition: 1

This is the first collection to appear in twenty years from one of America's best short story writers. His thirteen stories are marvelous—funny, heartbreaking, and wise by turns, and on occasion all three at once.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is Apple's art.

(Paul Maliszewski Bookforum 2007)

Apple's stories move easily from the funny to the heartbreaking—always with a strain of wisdom lurking just behind the bushes.

(Sanford Pinsker Philadelphia Inquirer 2007)

Apple is still capable of dialing into emotions that ring of truth.

(Tod Goldberg Los Angeles Times 2007)

Delightful, utterly cynicism-free stories collected here... celebrate serendipity... If a lot of contemporary short fiction falls into the category dubbed 'Kmart realism,' Apple needs his own category. Call it Kmart magical realism.

(Lisa Zeidner Washington Post Book World 2008)

One of America's best short-story writers... his first collection of stories in 20 years. He writes with the same playful imagination and comic intelligence as in his earlier stories, layered with irony and an infallible sense of detail.

(Sandee Brawarsky Jewish Week 2008)

Thank you, Mr. Apple! There's an art to writing a sad story that's also fun to read... Many of Apple's stories are heartbreaking, but there's hardly a page that doesn't yield a smile at one line or another.

(Ann Hodgman New York Times Book Review 2007)

This new book of short stories once again demonstrates Apple's ability to write spare prose with a minimum of adjectives and adverbs that, nevertheless, mixes humor and satire with a wry comment on the human condition... testifying to the quiet power of Apple's writing.

(Morton Teicher Jewish Journal 2007)

When it comes to Max Apple, what's not to like?... Apple is never ferocious, never crabby and rarely sentimental. He does not dislike his characters, and he refuses to condescent to them.

(David Kaufmann Foreword 2007)

Each story in the book is unique and well-crafted. Apple has not lost his touch.

(Morton I. Teicher New Jersey Jewish News 2008)

He writes with the same playful imagination and comic intelligence as in his earlier stories, layered with irony and an infallible sense of detail.

(Sandee Brawarsky Brooklyn Jewish Week 2008)

This collection of poignant, very human stories leaves the reader wishing for even more of them... a worthwhile addition to the story collection shelf.

(Jewish Book World 2008)

If you remember Apple from 20 years ago... this book will reacquaint you with an old friend, too long gone.

(Neil Steinberg Sunday Sun-Times 2008)

This collection of charming short stories is populated by offbeat characters... held together by Apple's big-hearted warmth, understated wit, and completely believable plot twists... [Apple] also manages to resolve his short stories in ways that are both unexpected and satisfying, yet another sign of his mastery of the form.

(John Lewis Baltimore Magazine 2008)

13 delightful, utterly cynicism-free stories.

(Lisa Zeidner Palm Beach Daily News 2008)

In straightforward, unpretentious prose, Max Apple has patiently crafted a delightful collection.

(Peter Schmitt Sun-Sentinel 2008)

The author creates situations that are both touching and funny. Ths book is highly recommended for all libraries, andwould be great for a discussion group.

(Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter 2008)

In straightforward, unpretentious prose, Max Apple has patiently crafted a delightful collection.

(Peter Schmitt Newport News Daily Press 2009)

Most of Apple's stories are clever and warm-hearted... Short story lovers will find much to enjoy in all of Apple's works.

(Rabbi Rachel Esserman Reporter )

The short story has long been called 'the lonely voice,' and to that intrinsic loneliness Max Apple adds his gentle insights and his rare and precious ability to be amused by the tragic stuff of life, in particular, Jewish life.

(Gloria Goldreich Hadassah Magazine )

Review

Apple may not be as well known a humorist as Russell Baker, Calvin Trillin, or Garrison Keillor. But he should be. He belongs in the same crowd.

(Newsday )

Apple is an amiable, good-hearted, sweet-tempered writer whose short pieces occupy an agreeable territory somewhere between fact and fiction.

(Washington Post Book World )

A tender, tough, and totally compelling account.

(USA Today )

The slim, sweet slices of this particular Apple pie are always served warm and contain generous amounts of humor, off-the-wall inventiveness, and down-to-earth intelligence.

(Cleveland Plain Dealer )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (October 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801887380
• ISBN-13: 978-0801887383
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,020,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful collection of contemporary Jewish short stories, February 28, 2008

By 

Dr. Edward Hoffman (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jew of Home Depot and Other Stories (Johns Hopkins: Poetry and Fiction) (Hardcover)

This is one of the most enjoyable collection of Jewish short stories I've read since Isaac Singer was alive and well. The author offers a delighful blend of whimsy and empathy mixed together in a potent brew. The main characters are kind-hearted, often generous in spirit, and definitely memorable. The tone is upbeat and spiritual in the broadest sense. This is a book to be savored and shared with those you love.

Edward Hoffman, Ph.D., author
THE WAY OF SPLENDOR: JEWISH MYSTICISM AND MODERN PSYCHOLGY

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved this Book - Rocky Rocks!, February 21, 2009

By 

Bonnie Brody "Book Lover and Knitter" (Port St. Lucie, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Jew of Home Depot and Other Stories (Johns Hopkins: Poetry and Fiction) (Hardcover)

This book is a true gem! I loved it! It is a book about love, family, and connection. The character of Rocky is multi-dimensional - he is a true mensch, his own 'poyson'. Being able to read about the love that Max felt for his grandfather, the continuation of family despite pain, illness and cruelty is remarkable.

Max and Rocky have been roommates ever since Max was 7 years old. Rocky is Max's grandfather. In the 1960's, when Max goes off to college, Rocky goes with him. They room together. Max meets Debby whom Rocky can't tolerate. He sees them together and yells at her "Ger out". Debby replies "I'm gerring out". Max pursues Debby and they marry. Rocky won't go to the wedding but Max forgives him - ALWAYS. His love is unconditional.

Children come as does forgiveness from Debby. Rocky is part of the family. Debby gets Multiple Sclerosis. At 103 years old, Rocky takes responsibility for his 2 great-grandchildren. Debby's illness gives Rocky a reason to live.

This may be the most tender, character-accurate, real-life book I've ever read. I laughed, cried and could not put the book down. What a guy that Rocky!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poignant, sad, funny and all about life, November 4, 2008

By 

Frances Cohen "Avid" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Jew of Home Depot and Other Stories (Johns Hopkins: Poetry and Fiction) (Hardcover)

The Jew of Home Depot by Max Apple:

I've read this book 3x. I order books for 2 book clubs. I read them and if I enjoy them I order them for the book clubs. This book has been received by both clubs with acclimation. Unlike some other short story books which are usually very depressing, this book approaches conflict with humor.