Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? (Loyola Classics) [Paperback]

John R. Powers (Author), Amy Welborn (Editor), Tom McGrath (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2005 | Series: Loyola Classics

“Hilarious, touching, beautiful . . .” —Detroit News

“A totally enjoyable novel with at least one laugh on every page.” —Fresno Bee

“. . . you’ll never forget it.” —Publishers Weekly

Growing up on Chicago’s South Side in the 1960s, Eddie Ryan is learning a lot—and not just from the Brothers at his all-boys Catholic high school. Eddie’s world is populated by peculiar adults, oddball classmates, and puzzling girls—the greatest mystery of all. He takes it all in through the prism of his Catholic upbringing, which often deepens the mystery, but sometimes clarifies it, too. Entering Eddie Ryan’s world will delight not only readers who grew up there with him, but also those too young to remember.
This new edition of Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? includes a new introduction as well as discussion questions designed to help deepen the reading experience for both individuals and reading groups.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

John Powers’ classic comic novel of the 1960s Catholic subculture stars Eddie Ryan, a Chicago boy who learns about the important questions in life in his years at an all-boys Catholic school on Chicago’s South Side. He views it all through the prism of his Catholic mentality, which often deepens the mystery but sometimes clarifies it.

From the Back Cover

Hilarious, touching, beautiful . . .” —Detroit News
“A totally enjoyable novel with at least one laugh on every page.” —Fresno Bee
“. . . you’ll never forget it.” —Publishers Weekly
 

Growing up on Chicago’s South Side in the 1960s, Eddie Ryan is learning a lot—and not just from the Brothers at his all-boys Catholic high school. Eddie’s world is populated by peculiar adults, oddball classmates, and puzzling girls—the greatest mystery of all. He takes it all in through the prism of his Catholic upbringing, which often deepens the mystery, but sometimes clarifies it, too. Entering Eddie Ryan’s world will delight not only readers who grew up there with him, but also those too young to remember.
 

 

Hilarious, touching, beautiful . . .” —Detroit News
“A totally enjoyable novel with at least one laugh on every page.” —Fresno Bee
“. . . you’ll never forget it.” —Publishers Weekly
 

Growing up on Chicago’s South Side in the 1960s, Eddie Ryan is learning a lot—and not just from the Brothers at his all-boys Catholic high school. Eddie’s world is populated by peculiar adults, oddball classmates, and puzzling girls—the greatest mystery of all. He takes it all in through the prism of his Catholic upbringing, which often deepens the mystery, but sometimes clarifies it, too. Entering Eddie Ryan’s world will delight not only readers who grew up there with him, but also those too young to remember.
 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Loyola Classics; First Edition, First edition (February 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0829421432
• ISBN-13: 978-0829421439
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light, Fun Reading, October 31, 2001

By 

Kristin (Herndon High School, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Do black patent leather shoes really reflect up? (Paperback)

This novel is extremely funny and well written. It is easy to read and does an excellent job at holding one's interest. The book does not follow one main plot, but is instead a collection of anecdotes, each chapter being a new story. However, this format does not detract from the overall quality of the book. Several of the characters are repeated throughout different chapters, therefore, they are still well developed. Also, although some characters are only present in one chapter, they are described in enough depth to take on their own personality.
The author, John Powers, has a great sense of humor and enjoyable use of sarcasm. I found myself literally laughing out loud several times throughout the book. Every anecdote is full of humorous descriptions and mocking comments. Each chapter ends with a hilarious punch line; I could hardly resist sneaking a premature look at the last sentence.
Powers also does a great job at creating characters with whom teenagers can identify. The stories are told through the eyes of the narrator, a teenage male in high school. Although the book was written over twenty-five years ago, I still found that I could relate to the narrator and that we share many of the same thoughts. Powers does an excellent job at getting into the psyche of a teenager and describing the world through the cynical, self-conscious eyes of an adolescent.
Overall, this is one of the funniest books I have ever read. It flows nicely and I did not want to stop reading it. It is a great book to read to make one laugh and improve one's mood.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, moving, and beautifully written, October 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? (Paperback)

Like all Powers' books, this is so funny, it's easy to forget how well-written it is. Wonderful stuff I'll return to again and again. By the way, what ever happened to "The Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice Cream God"? I loved that one, too, and it's not on the list of Powers' books. Someone out there is missing out!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious look at growing up attending Catholic school., July 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? (Paperback)

In the Catholic High School I attended in the late 70's and early 80's, my class was given this book to read as an assignment. I still have my original paperback copy and try to read it at least once a year. Anyone who grew up attending Catholic schools will find it hilarious and nostalgic.