 |
A combination of coming of age and life in retrospect, this is an engaging read. We can all relate to longing to fit in. J.R.'s formative years were as unusual as the true life characters that peopled it. Sort of a drinker's book club meets the lonely kid. Loved it and the final lesson it imparts.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A book ostensibly about a young man coming of age, in a dysfunctional family, and his nearly life-long relationship with the characters who hang out at Publicans, a popular bar. It's really a book about the author looking for a father, literally and figuratively. It's about overcoming the family background to get into Yale, to drink one's way through school and nonetheless manage to graduate. And all the while, his anchor is Publicans. No matter what's going on, when the going gets tough, he turns to Publicans for direction and solace. Then, he's forced to grow up. Steve, the owner of Publicans dies, the bar closes and the author realizes his dependence on the bar and booze are not in his best interests. In all, I can recommend the book. Incidentally, he does meet up with his father, on a couple of occasions, the last being a near life and death experience.Read full review
I read this book, which was recommended by an avid reader, several years ago and remembered feeling kind of sad when I finished it... like saying goodbye to an old buddy. So recently I read it again! Still have my copy, but purchased this one for a friend who love a good book.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This book was given to me by a friend, who thought I might be able to relate to some of the things in it. I hadn't actually read a book since college, and thought I'd have a hard time getting into something that wasn't part of the "required reading". I could not have been more wrong. For anyone who has ever spent any amount of time in a bar, be it as a patron or employee, you cannot go another day without reading this book. I read it in three days. I read it again before the week was out. The people in this book are the people I live with every day of my life. The names are different, but they are indeed the same people. I cannot tell you the joy I got from reading about them from the point of view of someone who sees them just as I do; strange and eclectic, yet loveable and endearing. Their spirits rise from the pages of this book, wrap themselves about you and invite you back to Publicans with them for a drink. I hope you take them up on the offer, you'll never regret it.Read full review
The book was a bit slow and I never really got excited about reading it. In fact I did not even finish it. The writing was good and followed a logical sequence. It just never grabbed me.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Books
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Books
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
