Customer Reviews

Old Neighborhood

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

 

 

I found this book many years ago, and I've read it so many times my paperback copy is about to fall apart. It is a simple story of a man, born in the 1930's, who reaches adulthood and finds his neighborhood too confining and limiting, so he goes out into the world. Avery Corman's writing is tight and concise. There are parts of this book that are hilarious, and others that are warm and human. One passage where he describes a Gold Star mom celebrating VJ day makes me stop and take a breath every time I read it. Some of the events in the book and the protagonist's reactions are a bit dated today, but even so, I highly recommend this "feel good" story.

I adore this book. I have read it several times over the last 15+ years. Corman has created a likeable but flawed protagonist: a boy from the old neighborhood who makes good, becomes an advertising wiz, marries a smart, beautiful woman, starts a family, and lives the American dream - for a while... I love this book because it is a tale of a man's personal journey up - and down - and ultimately to the place where he feels at peace with himself. It seems to be a theme that Corman has used more than once (Kramer Vs. Kramer, 50) but in my opinion, he hasn't matched the quality of The Old Neighborhood. It is a humorous and touching story. Corman's best.

I've also re-read this book over and over, always enjoying the brisk dialogue and dry humor. As the main character in the book, I also long to return to the area where I grew up, as that is where I feel at home and where my roots lie. I am shaped by the area and town I grew up in; it is my essential self. This book is an easy read, but gives good insight into the mind of the character and his thoughts and motivations. Interesting commentary also on advertising in the 1950s and 1960s, that Jewish people were not hired as copy writers at ad agencies. Thank you, Mr. Corman, for this enriching book, and other you've written which I have also thoroughly enjoyed!

This book has been around for sometime. It is a great insight into growing up in NYC and the strugle of a man to find himself. An enjoyable read from start to finish.

This fine novel is by no mean entitled to be categorized as a masterpeiece, but it's for sure a wonderful story about contemporary busy, succesful people. The tale about the husbands return to his old neigbourhood and his transformation from ace advertising excecutive to part-time icecream vendor and eventually dealer in nostalgia is worth every cent. You are guaranteed to enjoy yourself for some very entertaining hours.

like many others just picked it up on a whim. Great story always think of black and whites and this book together,( the frosted cookie, not race relations) feel good excellent read.