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Book Review: The Bookie’s Son by Andrew Goldstein & Giveaway ( 6 copies – US/Canada)

September 12, 2012 by Darlene

The Bookie’s Son by Andrew Goldstein is a book that I enjoyed from beginning to end.  It’s serious, it’s funny, and it brings to life the Bronx in the 1960’s so vividly that you feel sure you are right there experiencing every moment of these character’s lives right along with them.  This novel is actually based on the author’s own life and I always find that this adds so much more to a book and with this one it was no different.  It took Andrew forty years of writing on and off to get The Bookie’s Son to us and I’m glad he did!  I loved his writing style so I certainly hope to see more from him in the future!

Ricky Davis is a twelve year old boy living in the Bronx waiting for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah – oh, if only it was that simple.  However, for Ricky life functions more on dysfunction than normalcy.  His father is a cutter – that is, he cuts pieces of fabric for women’s clothing and his mother works as a secretary to a theatrical lawyer who handles clients like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe.  All this sounds pretty standard so far but there is a darker side to Ricky’s father and that is that he sidelines as a bookie and is a compulsive gambler.  The bigger problem is that he owes a lot of money to the Jewish mafia – specifically Nathan.  Of course he doesn’t have the money to pay him back but Nathan has always had a soft spot for Ricky’s mother so he agrees to let Ricky’s dad work for him collecting debts.  It doesn’t take long for him to screw that up and it’s back to square one, only worse.  Then Ricky’s mother gets involved thinking that a good way to pay the debt would be dipping into Elizabeth Taylor’s bank account.  The one thing that nobody wants is for Nathan to decide to just do away with Ricky’s father.

As you can see Ricky’s life is quite the roller coaster.  He lives in fear of not only losing his father but also of his father because unfortunately he can be pretty mean to his son.  Ricky should be being a kid and out playing with his friends; being normal.  Instead he’s at home taking bets for his father while he’s at work and later while he’s busy hiding from Nathan and lord help him if he screws it up even slightly as his father will blow a fuse for sure.  On top of that he’s constantly thinking about how he, a twelve-year-old boy, can get the money to get his father out of debt.  Along the way Ricky is growing up and with that comes a fascination with girls, worrying over his Bar Mitzvah, and mostly wondering how he’ll ever manage to live up to what his father expects of him.

What struck me the most with this book is the relationships that Ricky had with both his parents.  He and his mother maybe have too close of a relationship for a boy of his age.  Pearl talks to Ricky about everything; they have long talks that border on too personal and even Ricky feels uncomfortable with it at times.  Don’t get me wrong there is nothing untoward going on; she just leans on her son more than she probably should for a boy of his age.  Ricky’s father is pretty volatile.  He’s one of those strong man type men who can fight his way out of almost every situation.  The problem being is that Ricky is pretty much the opposite.  He’s a small kid and not tough at all and his father doesn’t hesitate to point that out.  Pearl is always saying that despite their problems they are the best family in the Bronx but Ricky is smarter than that.  He knows how far from the truth that really is but at the same time I do feel that there was a lot of love in this family; it just wasn’t shown in a traditional way.  Will this family ever be able to mend their broken relationships?  Will they survive the Jewish mafia?  Will Ricky be able to pull himself out of the dysfunction of his family to make his own life?

The Bookie’s Son is a gem of a book.  I always say that about those books that aren’t at the top of everyone’s list but should be.  It’s about family, coming of age, and most definitely about hope.  Well worth reading!

The Bookie’s Son by Andrew Goldstein is on tour with TLC Book Tours so be sure to pop in to the other tour stops for more thoughts on the book.  You can purchase your own copy here in the US or here in Canada or you can try your luck and enter my giveaway below for a chance to win your own copy!

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have 6 copies of The Bookie’s Son by Andrew Goldstein to share with my readers – one copy via the TLC Book Tour and 5 more copies offered up by the author himself – isn’t that fantastic of him!  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  Be sure to let me know if you already do so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winners on Saturday, September 29/12.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy provided by TLC Book Tours and the Author. No compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, 2012 eBooks, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bonnie says

    September 12, 2012 at 12:59 am

    It sounds like a book I would enjoy reading.

    I am following on Twitter. (@greenurlifenow)

    I have tweeted about the contest.

    https://twitter.com/greenurlifenow/status/245778249005813760

  2. Jenna Evans says

    September 12, 2012 at 3:19 am

    Sounds right up my alley!
    I follow your blog through email-
    thanks!

  3. bermudaonion(Kathy) says

    September 12, 2012 at 5:24 am

    This sounds like a book I’d enjoy. I’m fascinated with all things organized crime for some strange reason.

  4. Bookworm says

    September 12, 2012 at 6:49 am

    This sounds great! And what a nice nostalgic cover. Please enter me, thank you. I’m a follower of your blog 🙂

  5. ellie says

    September 12, 2012 at 7:14 am

    Wonderful review. I would enjoy this book. Thanks. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  6. anne says

    September 12, 2012 at 7:59 am

    Fabulous book. Great review. Love to read it. I subscribe via e-mail.

  7. techeditor says

    September 12, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I’m taking your word for it. So now I want to read this.

  8. techeditor says

    September 12, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I already follow this blog by email.

  9. Margie says

    September 12, 2012 at 11:23 am

    Thanks for the giveaway. Sounds intriguing.
    -email subscriber

  10. Beth Hoffman says

    September 12, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Love your review of this book, Dar! It sounds wonderful. Thanks for offering everyone the change to win.

    Hope you and Sammy are doing great!

    I’m a follower 🙂

  11. Marjorie says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    Sounds like a really good storyline and I would love to read this book.
    I subscribe by email.

  12. zibilee says

    September 12, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    I am reading this right now, and have to say that I am enjoying it a lot. It’s has a curious mix of seriousness and irreverence that I really like. Great review today, Dar!

  13. Emma @ Words And Peace says

    September 12, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. I’m a follower, thru Google reader, and here is my tweet: https://twitter.com/wordsandpeace/status/245997144690016256

  14. Karen B says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    The cover reminds me of the earlys 50s. Great review – sounds intriguing!

    +1 – Email subscriber/follower.

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  15. Lisa Garrett says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    Ricky’s life sounds interesting to say the least. I would like to know more.

  16. Lisa Garrett says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    I follow via gfc and email.

  17. Lisa Garrett says

    September 12, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lag32583/status/246013300020744192

  18. Staci says

    September 12, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    I’ve been reading a lot of enthusiastic reviews of this one!! I with you in thinking that a personal experience can add so much more dimension to a story!!!

  19. Carl says

    September 12, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    That cover photo is so awesome, so perfectly period. I know I’d love this book. Please enter my name for the chance to win it.

    I follow this blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/246102785194614784

  20. Kerrie Mayans says

    September 12, 2012 at 11:38 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

  21. Kerrie Mayans says

    September 12, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    I already follow your blog on gfc as degood.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

  22. Denise says

    September 13, 2012 at 10:25 am

    sounds like a great read, I grew up in Brooklyn in the 60s and can closely identify

    Follower of your blog

  23. rhonda says

    September 13, 2012 at 11:49 am

    Book sounds I also grew up in Brooklyn. And love reading about it.I follow by email twitter @rhondareads and on fb.will tweet.

  24. Kevlin says

    September 13, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    WooHoo! Count me in. Sounds good. Thanks.
    prettyinpurplerose(at)aol(dot)com

  25. Kevlin says

    September 13, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    I’m a follower thru GFC.
    prettyinpurplerose(at)aol(dot)com

  26. Kevlin says

    September 13, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    Tweeted. https://twitter.com/KevlinReads/status/246313489067552768
    prettyinpurplerose(at)aol(dot)com

  27. Lisa says

    September 13, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    Wasn’t this book a wonderful surprise? Ricky’s relationships with his parents really were unusual-I got that same kind of almost creepy feeling about his relationship with his mother.

  28. Patricia N says

    September 13, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    I’ve heard good things about this book and would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  29. Patricia N says

    September 13, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    I follow your blog via GFC as Patricia N
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  30. Patricia N says

    September 13, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/pmernick1/status/246367060786040832
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  31. Linda Kish says

    September 13, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    This book sounds like it could be true. I’d love to win/read it.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  32. Linda Kish says

    September 13, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  33. Karen says

    September 14, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    Sounds like a great read. Would love to win and read it. Thank you for a great giveaway.

    Karen
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  34. Karen says

    September 14, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    I follow your blog via GFC and email.

    Karen
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  35. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    September 14, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    I can see why you’d call this a gem of a book – it looks great!

    Thanks for being on the tour.

  36. Daniel M says

    September 16, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    sounds like a fun one

  37. Anita Yancey says

    September 17, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Sounds like an interesting book. I love that it is set in the 1960’s. Thanks for having this giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  38. Anita Yancey says

    September 17, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Follow on GFC as Anita Yancey.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  39. Anita Yancey says

    September 17, 2012 at 11:44 am

    Tweeted giveaway.
    Twitter Name:@Anita Yancey

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)nt

  40. Rachel W. says

    September 18, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    I’m a follower– thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  41. Diane@BibliophilebytheSea says

    September 21, 2012 at 5:04 am

    I’d love to win! bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com

    I passed on this one, but really need to reconsider. I think it sounds so interesting. Great review

  42. Courtney says

    September 21, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    I always enjoy a good coming of age story… thanks for the chance.

    I follow your site!

    sidhekist at gmail dot com

  43. KayG says

    September 24, 2012 at 11:47 am

    This book sounds good! Thanks for the chance.

    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

  44. KayG says

    September 24, 2012 at 11:48 am

    I’m a follower.
    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

  45. KayG says

    September 24, 2012 at 11:51 am

    Tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/MsBookwormLady/status/250290989531549696

    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

  46. Diane B. says

    September 25, 2012 at 4:57 am

    I love books & movies that have mafia ties. I would love to win this one. I’m a follower & I tweeted.https://twitter.com/Dyniy/status/250549482327003137

  47. Maureen says

    September 25, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    I do feel sorry for a child who has to deal with adult problems so early in life.

  48. Maureen says

    September 25, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    I follow on GFC

  49. Maureen says

    September 25, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/250710091190374400

  50. tammyjackson says

    September 27, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    oh pick me pls really want this thank you for the chance
    lexis425@yahoo.com

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