Kritzer Time

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Summary: Benjamin Kritzer's Journey Continues
Review: "Kritzer Time" is the third book in the series in the coming of age saga of Benjamin Kritzer. In the final part of the trilogy author Bruce Kimmel covers precarious teenage years of our hero. From the wonderment of childhood in "Benjamin Kritzer" to the blossoming of adolescence in "Kritzerland", the journey to manhood continues in "Kritzer Time".

In "Kritzer Time", my favorite of the three novels, the author allows us the see what will shape him as an adult. He discovers the theater, dance, singing, jazz, the piano, and composing that will be part of who he is as an adult and the adults that help to encourage and nurture his talents. These adults are the surrogate parents that are absent from his own "Martian" parents. The early sixties also provided us with a wealth of movies, music, and personalities that help Benjamin into manhood.

Susan Pomeroy from the first book makes a welcome return via series of letters that she and Benjamin share. It was wonderful to see that the brief friendship explored in book one still had such a lasting impression on them. Kritzer Time also explores Benjamin's other special friendship with schoolmate Samantha. A private friendship that including watching movies and enjoying cola and French fries together without letting their parents know of the existence of the other.

As with any journey in life, there are also roadblocks that include loss and change. Benjamin as with all epic heroes all experiences these in with the closing of his favorite movie theater, moving to a new house and the loss a favorite housekeeper who he had known all his life. Benjamin, however, makes it to end and then starts the first step into the future.

I recommend this novel as I did "Benjamin Kritzer", "Kritzerland". It is not necessary to read the first two novels to enjoy "Kritzer Time", but I highly recommend that you do in order to feel the emotional impact of growing up within "Kritzer Time". I have not enjoyed reading stories about growing this much since I read books by Mordecai Richler (The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz) and Morley Torgov (Today I Am Fountain Pen).

Rating:
Summary: Kritzer Time
Review: A perfect end to the Kritzer trilogy, "Kritzer Land" concludes this wonderful series by leaving the reader with a clear understanding of Benjamin's future. After following his life through this spectacular trilogy, the reader is able to say goodbye to Benjamin and be completely happy for him. In "Kritzer Time", author Bruce Kimmel uses the same appropriatly youthful diction that made his other two books so exciting to demonstrate Benjamin's entrance into adulthood in a poignant and moving fashion. On par with such great growing up sagas as "A Seperate Peace" and "My Name Is Asher Lev", the Kritzer series is a realistic interpretation of the growing up experience that is truly a vital part of any individual or community's library.

Rating:
Summary: Kritzer Time
Review: Bruce Kimmel has done it again. You laugh, You Cry and enjoy every page of this book. For anyone who lived in west L.A. in the 50es and 60es this is a must read.
Bruce and I shared the same neighborhood and elementry school.
His favorite places were mine too.
The third and last installment of Benjamin Kritzer's childhood is a must read even if you did not live in the area.
You will not be able to put it down.