Customer Reviews

Sylvan Street: A Novel

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Deborah Schupack's Sylvan Street manages to be both modern and classic as five families face the moral dilemma of whether or not to spend a suitcase of money that doesn't belong to them. While their choices about how to spend the money move the complex plot along, this fast-paced novel is a great read because each family springs to life through deft descriptions and witty dialogue. Schupack keeps a lot of plates spinning -- including a wrenching sub plot about where the money came from -- but they all land perfectly in the end. A great read for book clubs interested in discussing the contradictory values of present-day suburbia.

This is a terrific read-- a cul de sac in suburbia finds a briefcase with a million dollars in it at the neighborhood pool party. What do the neighbors do? What would you do? This is an in-depth character study of couples ranging from those in their early 30s to late 60s, from successful to retired, old and new neighbors grappling with major decisions about money and love and how it could (and does) change their lives. This novel will have you asking what you would do (it did to me!), what pacts would make with your neighbor? How well do you know those people who have chosen to spend your days living next to? And how does living in 21st century America, struggling with the vestiges of 9/11 (this cul de sac is just north of New York City); financial hardships, infertility, and the strains of marriage and kids, change when money, a lot of it, is suddenly yours? Sylvan Street interweaves these stories with poetic prose and compelling characters and creates a terrific summer read for you -- by your pool. Read it with your neighbors (or book club)!

In Ashley-on-Hudson is the cul-de-sac Sylvan Street. Five families live in harmony in this suburban setting up the Hudson Valley from New York City. They are there for each other helping with their kids and more as everyone is a friend to everyone else. In fact Sylvan Street seems like a throwback to a more idyll almost naive era when suburbia was the goal of most Americans.

At a weekend pool party, a suitcase containing one million dollars is found and opened. Suddenly morality and family values prove meaningless as every one of the contenders scheme to possess the loot. Friends and families, the Levolices, the Canes, the Yanivs, the-Hansens, and the Margolis brood want to claim the cash. War has broken out on Sylvan Street.

With a modern day nod to the Treasure of the Sierra Madre (Traven's book and the Bogart movie), Sylvan Street is a great character study as greed and need supersede friendship and to a degree family loyalty. Readers will enjoy this fast-paced character driven saga of the American dream; as many on Main St. are angry at Wall St. but want to move to Wall St. and as angry at the Federal government but want the Feds to lead the cleaning of the Gulf using someone else's money; irony rules.

Harriet Klausner

After reading the other five reviews, I now have a better idea of this book's structure. I'll have to admit that I was confused by the subplots and how each was interwoven with the main plot. The idea of what you would do if you found "free" money, knowing that it probably had a nefarious history, is intriguing and gives one an opportunity to ponder, "what if?" Perhaps it was the way the separate story strands were somewhat vague (to me) that caused me to keep reading but after finishing the book, didn't feel satisfied. Since I couldn't do a better job, and Schupack is a published author, I'll just say I've read more riveting stories and leave it at that.

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As I began Sylvan Street by Deborah Schupack I was quickly immersed into the mundane suburban life. Imagine living at the end of a cul de sac, rife with secrets and knowledge. Now amplify that when at a pool party the inhabitants find a briefcase worth a million dollars. Feeling like you are in a thriller or action movie yet? Just wait. The families gather every summer for the opening of a neighbor's pool and stuck between the hedges and the pool shed is a million dollars. Who would have thought that right? As the neighbors discuss what to do with the money Keith Margolise- a cop- is the first to exclaim that they should submit the money to the police. In the little section of suburbia each family is thrust to answer their own intriguing questions about not only their morals but also justice. Following the direction of the street's math teacher, an equation is drawn out in order to determine how much money each family will receive. Money is doled out at a base level, plus family members (children are worth half). This is good for the Margolises' who have a big family and not so good for Ash who foolishly purchased his home on a whim to surprise his now ex-girlfriend.

As each family carries their portion of the money home- in trash bags- they begin calculating how to spend the money. Yet there is a caveat to their plan, no one is allowed to spend frivolously which could not only attract attention but others knowledge. As if, right?! Against his prior thoughts the immature and inexperienced Margolises are the first to transgress and purchase a Porsche and a new pool. However, we all know that money complicates everything and no individual is secure when there is money being tossed around so frivolously. As the money takes `permanent residence' in each family's house so does trouble. Amongst the problems are revealed and hidden secrets, adultery, illicit relationships, friendships pushed to the edge, and lives changed forever. Winding itself through the story is the description of the `money' and how it is mismanaged and lost by the original owners. As I read each families story I cannot help but feel sorry for each of the families. Here is a look at a few of the complicated situations: a town cop who is burdened with five children and barely enough to cover their costs, an elderly couple who yearn for their children to be closer and eventually succumb to hardships of their own, a barren couple who has tried for over six years to have a child to no avail, and of course the token new couple on the block.

When I began this new novel I was hesitant, I normally do not enjoy thrillers, yet I'll admit I was intrigued. As I was reading I thought that there was a definite opportunity for improvement as many times I found myself lost in thoughts and questions for the author- maybe this is stereotypical for a thriller. Primarily with the large cast of characters -who were not appropriately introduced at the start of the novel- it was hard to keep track of who was described. At times I felt the language was evasive and overwhelming. This to me was the only flaw, with a more appropriate introduction to the scene and characters I would have thoroughly enjoyed this novel. However, overall when considering the plot and construction of the novel, it was not only interesting but also thrilling. As a reader I began to hope for the characters and that they were able achieve their goals rather than succumb to the terrors that money brings. When you begin this novel take into account that this novel is modeled after the thrillers that came before it.