Customer Reviews

Simon Lazarus

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful coming of age story, with all the classic elements, but with a few twists. Simon tends to the see the world in absolutes. He is quick to idolize or demonize people, and, as a result, he finds himself frequently confused or disappointed when the disparity between his ideal and the actual person is revealed. The genius of the novel, to me, is how seemlessly it presents this characteristic of Simon, while at the same time allowing the reader to discover, through Simon's narration, that he does the same thing with himself. He is his own harshest critic, and as we are learning about the divide between Simon's perceptions of those around him and actuality, we start to see the divide between Simon's perceptions about himself and reality. We largely learn these things from what others say in Simon's presence, not through anything he tells us himself. Whereas Simon feels awkward, incompetent, and easily embarrassed, we learn that he is more complicated than that, and cooler and more multi-dimensional than he seems to think. This lesson comes just as Simon is learning that the world is more complicated and multi-dimensional than he understands.

The story is about Simon's awakening, or as the book's tilte suggests, his rebirth. Simon plunges into a type of post-Gen-X odyssey -- complete with sirens and trials of all sort -- initiated (probably subconsciously) by his father and with the encouragement of his surrogate father, a therapist that he has begun seeing just prior to the beginning of the events described in the book. In many ways, it is a quest book -- a book in which there is a final truth, and which, it turns out, is exactly what the character has been searching for. There are some rabbit holes along the way, the either go nowhere or end abruptly, but in the search, he learns what we've learned for 323 pages -- that the world, and the people in it, are complicated, as he is himself.

The quest motif is what keeps the pages turning, and it's a very difficult book to put down. But at bottom, I think, this is a story about fathers and their sons. The women in the novel -- primarily Simon's family -- are all characatures, and Simon's chief romantic interest is so heavily idealized by Simon that we really don't know much about the real her at all. The relationships most heavily explored are the four father/son relationships that spread over five generations in Simon's family. The thread is woven around an object -- which serves as the catalyst to Simon's odyssey -- from the war that took the first father's life, and that nearly took the third son's. In the string, we see (1) the grief and despair of a son who has lost his father to war, and the consequences of that loss, (2) his relationship with his own son, who has turned out to be disappointing, (3) that man's son, who was never good enough for his father, and carries the guilt of perhaps being the cause of his father's greatest loss, and (4) the fourth son -- Simon -- who has the chance to act as surrogate to find for his father the redemption that has alluded him, and to mature in the process. Woven in to the story are some incohate thoughts about the need of men to get in touch with their emotional side, which to me were a little less satisfying than the father/son threads.

Anyway, he's a great character to get to know, and the trip is worth the ride. It reminded me very much of another book, Rule of the Bone, which explores very similar themes in a very similar way. If you enjoyed that book, you'll almost certainly like Simon Lazarus, and comparing the two main characters -- Simon and Chappie -- is a great deal of fun.

Taking a trip with a self-centered nineteen year old is not on the top of anyones "to do list", especially if you want to have a relaxing, good time. That is exactly what I am proposing for book lovers to do this summer! And you will have a fabulous time! When Simon starts his adventure he is a person you would love to leave behind but very soon his wonderful metamorphus begins to evolve. His character grows exquisitely,and captures the reader with lots of humor, zesty conversation, and enjoyable storytelling. Simon gains a depth of spirituality along his way that is enticing to the reader. Other characters in Simon's world are so rich that you would love to pick up your next book and learn about them as well...I ask the author to please give us more stories about these well manicured characters...Simon's father, sister, grandfather, and girlfriend...I for one was not wanting the book to end!

A page-turner right from the outset. And you will not want it to end. In fact, you'll be wanting more. I know, I did. I want this story to have a sequel because too many of the characters, including Simon Strayhorn, have so much to offer about life and the world. And, really, it's one of those books where you just have to say to anyone who gives a hoot about reading worthwhile fiction: "Shut up, sit down, and read the whole story--then tell me what you think".

Otherwise, it's a waste of time. Forget best-sellers' lists. One of the things I loved about reading this book is that I found it to be more enjoyable than much of the praised and promoted titles out there right now. And it was totally not what I was expecting at all. I was just hoping this would be mildly captivating. Instead, I was riveted. See for yourself. You'll laugh. You'll shudder and shake your head. And you may even cry. (One small complaint: some minor fact-checking snafus here and there--could use some fine-tuning.) Otherwise, this is a terrific read. Bar-none.

First of all, this is a rare glimpse into the inner world of boys and men. That, in itself, deserves further commentary-for the courage of this author to take us there-for the sheer truthfulness of its depictions through the perceptions of this 18 year old, Si, and the other males (most of the characters are male here) that make up this novel. Though it is a contemporary story, it has an old and wise sensibility to it that gives this read an exceptional touch.

Anyone who has scoffed at the idea that this is another teen book, or a knock-off of this or that "groundbreaking" novel (ie: an overly popular little book about a guy named Holden?) has clearly not read this remarkable and wholly original story. It is replete with the suppleness, depth and versimilitude one expects from great fiction and since we rarely get that these days, others are quick to judge and criticize-without really reading this work.

I read this novel on a suggestion by a friend. I had not heard much about it, nor did I really care to know---never do I question this person's judgement. And, as usual, she was right on the money. There's an original voice at work here-unlike so many books today--& I want to say ones that are far better known than this. Here the narrative sings with an irresistable liveliness and at a breath-taking clip that barely lets up.

Simon had me laughing heartily or shaking my head with utter incredulity ---depends on what he's thinking and what he happens to be up to. Boyce, the fellow college students, Cory & Les (the roomies), Lisa, the leather-clad gal he falls in with-Dad, Andy, and the Great granddad.
It's all amazing stuff-and this story has the makings of a book that lasts.

After I turned the last page, I found myself thinking just what this book is about. Though it is a journey, it is also a comedy, it is a coming- -of-age-type story about 18 year old Simon and his life-his family, his world-it's also a journey into spiritual questions on a most profound and subtle level.

While these themes run through the narrative we have issues of the generations: it deals with
fathers-sons-grandfathers-great-grandfathers, immigrants, first love, secrets, America, status high and low, pain and privilege, visions, race wounds, ambitions, dreams and loss. Ultimately, though, it occurred to me that though this story has all of these elements and then some-it is essentially a story of initiation. Actually, the tale itself serves as an initiation into manhood. And I absolutely loved it. I can't really compare it to anything. Highly entertaining, but chock full of depth that's bound to have a lasting hold--at least, on this reader.

Like some others have already said here: I did not know what to expect when I started reading. Before I could really formulate any real opinion, it was as if I was being carried into Simon's world whether I liked it or not!

So in spite of myself--I kept reading. And this wasn't an easy read to put down--at least, not for long. So I didn't mind. And before I knew it, I was taken further into a spiritual journey I simply was not expecting.

Yes, Simon is an entertining narrator, to be sure, but where he goes is a surprise to him and the reader as well. There were passages here that really blew me away. And I don't want to spoil it for anyone who has not read this strange but delightful story. Read in its entirety, you won't be disappointed.
My only problem is it needed some better proofreading, though! (some typos,etc.)

This strange little story started with a few huffs and puffs. I wasn't so sure about this one (so many others have ended up duds). I didn't quite know what to think of the dark pensiveness of our protagonist, Simon, but heck if the kid doesn't have a lively voice, albeit a warped sense of humor? Perhaps, this kept me in the game--but it took about 50 pages in before I really began to like Simon Strayhorn and his sharp take on the world around him.

I found it hard not to laugh. I could not resist the other characters, either, and I think this is what is so special about this read. The assortment of types from the rich-kid and nerd-brain roomies, to the middle-aged, balding Boyce, the Fleetwood Mac-gen parents, and on to the many others that populate our hero's odd adventure. Maybe this read isn't exactly for everyone--but I surely enjoyed it. And far more than Augusten Burroughs' repetitive memoirs or the many day-in-the-life novels for the assumed (by the publishers, it seems) navel-gazing, 20-something crowd. It's a smart read that also entertains. That, in itself, makes this novel so special by today's "anything goes" standards.

I was delightfully surprised by this story and I'm not sure where to start in saying exactly what I liked about it--there was so much I enjoyed. One thing that especialy caught my eye was the elder and youth aspect that's woven throughout this novel.

Because I'm now a much older man, I see things I might have missed when I was far younger and not nearly as wise as age and time has brought me. I'm a grandfather to boys about Simon's age and I appreciated seeing not only this youth's perceptions of life, and the world around him, but the very workings of his inner thoughts. Many a time I have wondered what my 18 and 16 year old grandsons are thinking and there's so much silence that I end up speaking in actions by way of examples.

I find myself doing this because that's what men did for me when I was young. As you might imagine, reading this book made me re-think some things.

Actually, it basically showed me that there is a way inside these young men. (and I can't say how important I believe this is in today's world). That I can actually attempt addressing these teens or at least, asking better questions, could bring me a little closer to what might be a more realistic approach than I thought previously to reading this marvelous novel.

There's a lot of humor here. The characters are amusing, and the antics of Simon and the bevy of chracters that lace the story are, at times, laugh-out-loud-funny. But more importantly, there's an underlying wisdom that supports the story in its entirety.

I recommend this book for both young and old. I should know. As an elder, I've now been on both sides of life's spectrum.

First of all, I got this book-along with some others-as a Christmas present. The other ones I knew about, but not so with this unusual story. It was at the bottom of the little stack and I read it in just that order. And to my delight, I ended up liking Simon Lazarus the most among the others I received.

There have been some books I've read where I wanted to go back to the beginning and start all over again-but not too many: One Flew Over the
Cuckoo's Nest was one, another was the timeless, In Cold Blood and more recently, Life of Pi. Not that these titles have anything to do with this novel, but Simon Lazarus-at least for me---had the kind of quality that I had to read it a second time. There is a subtle complexity that I missed the first go-round, and I enjoyed seeing how the author pulls everything together so neatly and without notice as in the way the story moves along and concludes so superbly. I also enjoyed the characters and the dialogue more the second go-round. Additionally, there's a spiritual and poetic aspect that wasn't as noticeable to me during the first read and this became all the more powerful and significant to me when I came across these sections a second time.

I totally recommend this unique story. You may find getting to know Simon a bit challenging at first- but as you go along, this character begins to grow on you and by the end, you will end up loving this kid and everyone else that makes up this extraordinary and so not-so-typical (attention: disdainful readers!) story. It's one of the best I've read in years. And I was so not
expecting that to be the case.

Seldom do I pick up a book by an author I never heard of, but something about this work caught my attention. Call it having an "aura" or just because others simply said it was good and I always will believe readers over critics. I also have never written a review here at Amazon, so this is also a "first". And speaking of "firsts", many a time, first novels can be among the best and that's what I found here.

This is not a perfect work, but it's damned near close (a few plot conveniences,etc.) But all in all, everything about it is different. As a university-level drama teacher, I was impressed by the liveliness and immediacy of the writing. The dialogue is so captivating and real. At times, it felt more like good dramatic writing rather than dialogue in a prose format. However, the descriptions and depictions of New Orleans are bar-none-some of the characters reminding me of "A Confederacy of Dunces"-all while having its own distinct voice and original story-line.
As far as comparisons to "The Catcher in the Rye", I find Simon to be far more interesting and ponderous than that novel's protagonist, but this story also delivers an excellent experience for the reader-top marks of a noteworthy work of fiction, at least, as far as I know, and from what I recall about Salinger's work, this does not occur. At best, that book only gives a "day in the life" of its teenager and that's it. "Simon Lazurus"--as a story--goes over and beyond that level. Good, solid read,-but I also liked "A Question of Attraction" (another I selected bec. of what I read on Listmania here at Amazon).

In this first novel, author M. A. Kirkwood presents a young man's journey

into manhood in a superbly entertaining and well-paced narrative populated with a host of colorful characters along the road. In a culture that has forgotten it's rituals, this extremely contemporary yet classic story reminds us of the need for men to connect with and understand their past. Kirkwood's Simon is funny, sensitive, vulnerable, awkward and sometimes even unlikeable. In other words, every bit a very real and believable modern young male in today's world. But it is his searching self that this author draws our protagonist, Simon, out and us in, that keeps us coming back to this storyfor more. Like Simon, we don't really know what lies at the end, we only know we can't wait to find out.

You'll hate saying good-bye to Simon as his journey culminates in a somewhat startling conclusion. We readers can only hope that, one day soon Kirkwood will let us know what happens to Simon next as he continues his life's path.

Pick this one up for a delightful spring..maybe summer? -- read--whether you are a man or woman, young, middle-aged or older, you 'll see this compelling story speaks to us all!