Customer Reviews

The Junk-Drawer Corner-Store Front-Porch Blues (Signet)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved the other John R. Powers books and discovered this one, believe it or not, in an airport gift shop. As with his other books, it was a joy to read and had an emotional depth so rarely found in books that are also miraculously funny. Powers may well be the most underrated writer to emerge in the last 30 years. His books are so entertaining, you don't notice yourself being moved. Until later, that is. Like, ten seconds later. Wonderful writing I recommend to anyone with a heart and a funny bone.

I think this book is an excellent book and I just love everything that John R. Powers writes. He has a way of being funny and poignant at the same time. He writes about growing up in Chicago as if you are actually doing it yourself. His way of writing draws you in because it is very funny and touching and really makes you think about life. The fact of the matter is that I loaned this book to a friend and now I can't find it in print again. It is truly a good book!

One of the marks of truly fine writing, as it is with any work of art from film ("Glory" comes to mind) to music (Beethoven and Beatles), is a physical response from the reader/viewer. "Junk Drawer" illicited that from me. It starts as an amiable memoir, at best. The dialogue between Donald and his nurse, his mother and his girlfriend in the early chapters sound more like a trite sitcom than literature. But the story turns unexpectedly meaningful and touching. The passages in which Donald matter-of-factly evaluates what the rest of his life will be like after a major event disrupts his family are so perfectly understated, so full of insight and devoid of maudlin pathos, reading them actually made me feel flushed and dizzy. It's THAT devastating. But, of course, this is John R. Powers and the sense of hopefulness at book's end is welcome and not out of place. "Junk Drawer" isn't Powers' best work (THAT title goes to "Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice Cream God") and certainly not his funniest. But those moments of dramatic realization are perhaps the purest and most affecting things he's ever put on paper.

Many years ago I seen Mr. Power's speak. I am not much into speakers, but this man grabs your attention. I got his book which he personilized to me, read it and it has become one of my favorites. I grew up in Chicago so could relate to alot of it, it is the one book that I suggest to everyone. If you get the chance to read, or hear him speak you will remember it.

It's a shame that the synopsis indluded here tells so much of the story. Part of the impact on me was the shock effect of Mr.Powers' remarkable ability to sneak up on the reader. I lost a brother about 6 weeks before someone put this book in my hands and told me to read it without telling me why. It was the saddest, hardest, bestest therapy I could have had. Simply a great book of insights into the human spirit of brotherhood and missed moments. The reader should also know Mr.Powers lost a brother about 20 years before he wrote this book. He knows first-hand of the emotions he will lead you through!

I needed to finish this book! I couldn't wait to get to the end. I knew what the story held in store for me, but the words dragged me along to finish the book. I have read other works by Mr. Powers and loved them. Many of them I have read more than a dozen times. This will be added to the list

great look at one man's memory of growing up and how events in his childhood shaped his present life. This is a great read

I found this book so well written and so easy to read yet hard to put down. I finished this book on a matter of days. The main character is Donald who is facing a health crisis and his mother has taken a bad fall and ended up in the hospital. Donald flies out immediately and must face his past when his mother insists he goes back the house where he was raised, a house he has not entered in twenty years. The book alters between the past and the present. There were moments when I would put the book down and just laugh. I truly enjoyed every moment I spent in Donald's reliving of his childhood.

Architechts and Urban Design folks who consider themselves New Urbanists will love this novel. Powers understands that our missing of the "old neighborhood" is about the sense of place and belonging that was left behind in the search for the suburban dream. Powers tells all the stories: the one mom on the block who worked, the garage which is behind the house, off the alley "where it belongs". Powers lets us recall the calm and orderliness of life in a neighborhood of diverse population, mixed uses(corner stores and front porches) and care for neighbors. The book is a delightful reminder of the days and places that defined middle class not in terms of income or profession but of an ethic shared with the families next door and across the alley.

I first discovered John R. Powers when a co-worker gave me the Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice God to read. It was so good I wanted to own that book and other books by Mr. Power. I was diappointed to find that all of his books are out of print. My local library had three of his tiles but have found it difficult to locate his works to purchase. I recommed all of John R. Powers books espesially to baby boomers his books will bring back wonderful memories. I would like to know more about the author.