Customer Reviews

Luncheonette: A Memoir

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sorrentino welcomes us to the inner workings of his quirky, funny, dark and sometimes suicidal soul through the prism of his family's business, "Clint's Corner," a luncheonette. As a young, hopeful actor pursuing his career in the Big City, Sorrentino puts his own dreams on hold when on Christmas Eve the twenty-three year old narrator watches helplessly as his father, Clint, is paralyzed with a rare neurological illness. Trying to play the part of the "Good Son," Sorrentino chronicles his adventures and hubris in trying save his father and his father's business when ultimately Clint, unknowingly, saves his son from destroying himself.

Told with a jaunty, sardonic and intelligent wit and filled with colorful unforgettable (but infinitely recognizable) characters, Sorrentino's debut memoir is a must read for all of us: sons, fathers and children who have struggled to find their own identity in the face of tragedy ... like growing up.

This book is not only hysterically funny in an off beat way, it is so much more with quirky characters, a poignant story, overwhelming personal struggle, moral messages beyond description, and a picture of small towm America, warts and all, at it's best.
I read this book, obviously a labor of love, as a tribute to a father, testimony to the real meaning of family. Further, it is the harsh reality that all of us, at some time or other must commit ourselves, face mortality, and do the right thing regardless of self. It also lets us know that when some doors are closed, painful as that may be, others seem to open leading us to avenues in our lives that otherwise never would have been traveled.
This book is about fathers and sons, about commitment to family, and of course about "keeping the faith" with a remarkable sense of humor.
I read this book slowly so that it wouldn't end to quickly.
This book is not to be missed.

I really enjoyed Luncheonette! It's effortlessly funny in a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction way. I prefer reading non-fiction and love to read memoirs. Luncheonette has become one of my favorites. Sorrentino is a talented writer who not only takes beautiful risks, but never loses sight of what matters most. It's hard to believe that this is his first book! Luncheonette has heart, soul and Dolores! Who could ask for anything more?

Steven Sorrentino is a young man who has just moved to New York to seek fame and fortune along with coming to terms with his sexuality. He heads home to small town New Jersey to celebrate Christmas with his extended family and within hours of his return, his father suffers a debilitating attack and Steven dutifully takes over the family restaurant. His life in New York comes to an abrupt halt as he becomes re-entwined in his family's life in New Jersey. Days turn into weeks, and then into months, and then even into years as Steven dishes up multitudes of porkroll-egg-and-cheese sandwiches to his loyal customers.

Luncheonette is filled with lovable small town characters with a twist-these are all real people being portrayed in this first book by Steven Sorrentino. It reads like a novel, but these are not fictional characters. Sorrentino captures the flavor of each character and presents each in a consistent manner throughout the book-one never thinks of Delores the waitress without hearing her say "you know wadda mean?" and envisioning her adjusting her wig nor Martin Leslie Pembrook without his crossword puzzle in front of him. Each time a "local color character" re-enters the storyline, he or she is described with a repetitive refrain which underscores the familiarity and consistency of the town to the author.

Most of all, this book is a loving memory to Mr. Sorrentino's father who was an unendingly positive person. Although his physical self was repeatedly assaulted, the man was always upbeat. This was in great contrast to the author who was hit with a clinical depression during the course of his return to his hometown.

This book establishes Mr. Sorrentino as an author to watch. He is quick to pick up on descriptive detail and he has an underlying sense of humor. I am definitely waiting for his next book.

Luncheonette: A Memoir, connects us to our past, makes us notice our present, and gives us hope for our future. Steven Sorrentino reminds us that even though life sometimes forgets to put the cheese on our porkroll, egg and cheese sandwhich, we should eat it anyway. His words are real and written from the heart. His characters intense, funny and are sitting right next to you at the lunch counter. Sorrentino takes you back home and shows you what really matters in life. A must read.

Luncheonette's universal appeal stems out of its focus on family. Although often scathingly honest, the book's message of perseverance and its embrace of the idea that "everything happens for a reason" illuminate the lessons and laughter that weave their way into times of hardship. "Clint's" story is a gift to all of us, and I thank Mr. Sorrentino for sharing him with us. His story reminds us that even though the events in our lives may not go as planned, sometimes our greatest triumphs come out of our darkest moments. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a family, and can relate to being young and feeling like the world might be passing you by...

Stephen is a great writer. He speaks in an effortletss voice that is filled with humor and love. This is a great father/son story. I honestly have been unable to put it down. Write more, Stephen! Write more!

Do you have fond memories of a childhood hanging out at the local luncheonette/"candy store", being entertained by the crazy "regulars" one encountered there, as well as the store owner and staff who obviously loved their job and their customers? If so, "Luncheonette" will be a welcome memoir for YOU too, in recreating that atmosphere, as it existed in the early 1980's in a small town New Jersey family-owned luncheonette with a flashy wisecracking and flirty waitress (think "Flo" from the Alice show, transplanted to NJ) and a diverse ethnic melting pot of eccentric customers.

This was the world that the author found himself in when, in his early 20's, he cound his new life - as a happily-out 23 year old gay man and would-be actor in New York City - put on "hold" indefinitely so he could come back home to Long Branch NJ and run the family business, the luncheonette, when his father became abruptly paralyzed. As the days became weeks, months and then years, Steven began to wonder if he would ever get back to his own life, or if he was doomed to spend the rest of his life grilling pork roll, egg and cheese sandwiches for characters such as "Half Cup Harold" and "the Giz". In retrospect, this became a more important coming-of-age for Steven, to learn a lesson from his father (who did make it back to the luncheonette, in a wheelchair) about dealing with what life may bring you, and making the best of a situation that you may not be happy about. He became closer to his father, who eventually ran for Mayor of their small town, as well as the rest of the family and the supportive customers who became almost a second family to him. In the end, the experience proved to teach young Steven how to achieve his own goals and dreams.

I read this book in a day. It is a poignant and touching story, one of courage and caring. The emotions Mr. Sorrentino shares though his experiences of family, friends and self will touch anyone with a heart. Luncheonette is simply a wonderful book. Read it; you will chuckle, laugh out loud, and cry.

Luncheonette: A Memoir, was so enlightening, warm and inviting that I couldn't put it down! I read it in one day! Steven spins a story of love, humor, sacrifice and commitment and with some hilarious characters all rolled into one, you'll chuckle out loud.
As the story unfolds with the descriptions on the very first page you get caught up in this emotionally charged saga of family and inner pain. You are swept along from chapter to chapter as if you're standing in a remote corner of the picture just watching as the characters and story unfolds. I'm very glad a friend has found his direction! Looking forward to the next installment!