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Summary: The Most Empowering Post-9/11 Read!
Review: (...) It was a best seller when it first came out, it's author is a Pulitzer Prize winner ("A Chorus Line") and it's simply a wonderful read. Bring it back to a new generation of readers!I had the pleasure of meeting Jim Kirkwood prior to his death and he discussed not only this book but the stage play that actually preceded it. It was very special to him as it is very special to those who read it. Get your hands on a copy of this book and read it on one of those nights when you're feeling blue and ready to give up. During these times of unnerving Post 9/11 stress, what can be more empowering than the story of Jimmy and his gem of a New York City "burgler" named Vito?
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Summary: ONE OF THE ALL TIME BEST BOOKS EVER WRITEN
Review: Gotta be my favorite book. I first discovered this book in the late 70's and since have read it at least 2 dozen times. An outrageous, laugh out loud, fun filled blast. A bit improbible, but never impossible, the story line sets the hook & keeps on reeling. Fun, funny, beliveable (however unlikely) and completely entertaining. You've got to read this book. Kirkwood's others are very good, this one is beyond great. I was thrilled to see that it's now back in print after so many years of being out of print. Buy it, you'll love it. You'll read it again & again & share it with your friends. The only other book throughout history that even comes close to making me laugh as much each time I read it & want to share it is Fup, by Jim Dodge.
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Summary: One of my all-time favorites
Review: I agree wholeheartedly with the comments made by habs@safari.net about this incredible novel, which was originally written as a play. I found the book by accident about fifteen years ago while browsing the bookstore shelves--the title grabbed my attention, and the front cover blurb was irresistible: "It's New Year's Eve. Your best friend died in September, you've been robbed twice, your girl friend is leaving you, you've just lost your job... and the only one left to talk to is a gay burglar you've got tied up in the kitchen." You will definitely laugh out loud while reading this book, but it's more than just funny. It's a moving story of friendship (as well as a revealing look at the human condition), with an excellent plot, believable characters, and clever dialogue. Kirkwood says in the introduction, "I believe the common denominator of the story's appeal is, quite simply, empathetic losership." Whenever I come across a copy in a used bookstore, I always buy it to give to someone else. That way, I never risk lending out my only copy, and it's always there on the shelf when I feel the need to read it again (which seems to be about every 2-3 years). Regrettably, I've only read one other book by James Kirkwood, which I also highly recommend: "Some Kind of Hero." It was made into a movie with Richard Pryor, but the book was much better. (Kirkwood is also the co-author of the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line".)
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Summary: Why is this Book Out of Print??!!??
Review: I believe that this book is the best and funniest of all of James Kirkwood's novels. The tragedy of the lead actor's life coming apart around him and his unlikely friendship with the homosexual burglar who has repeatedly robbed his apartment is both touching and humorous. I rate this book second only to "A Confederacy of Dunces" for number of laughs per page.
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Summary: PS this is a GREAT book
Review: I first read this book when i was in the hospital. I found it in the gift shop and i still to this day consider it one of my personal favorites. Everytime i read it i laugh so hard i cry. Its a shame this book is out of print. I know future generations would love to read this book.
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Summary: MY FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME!!!!!
Review: I honestly can't remember where I bought my first copy of this fabulous book, probably a thrift store or flea market, but I most definitely remember where I was when I read it. I was on the Blue Line in 1987, taking the train to high school. I started it on the bus and by the time I was on the train I was so entranced that I missed my stop. I missed it by 3 stops! I was laughing out loud. People were looking at me like I was insane. All I wanted to do was tell them what I had just read. I was actually crying from laughter! It was sooo invigorating! Such and extremely original story!! I couldn't wait to share with all my fellow readers. It was years before I was able to get another copy to actually give away. I now have my original copy with all its tape just barely holding the cover on and another copy that I loan out. If you are feeling down, or not, this is a book that will absolutely make you at least grin as you read. I highly recommend this book to everyone!! Young & Old, Bold & Shy!! You can't go wrong.
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Summary: Pretty dated by current standards
Review: I'm reading other customer reviews - "The best book I've ever read" and "My favorite book of all time." Still others have wildly praised the novel's comedic elements. Hmmmmmmm. I didn't get it. I felt that the basic plot premise was rather tragic. Sure it had a "happy" ending and there were a number of funny quips. However, this book is not "a laugh riot" - I never had one burst of uncontrolled laughter (as I have many times when reading books by Augusten Burroughs, David Sedaris and Dan Savage). I felt that the characters were contrived and the situation seemed forced. The physical writing is rather simplistic - there are no flurishes of great prose styling. The tough guy is gay and the artistic guy is straight. Alright, I can accept that. Why then does the author burden the straight guy with numerous gay stereo types like cleaning his apartment while listening to his original cast album of "Candide?" "Me thinks the lady duth protest too much." Alright, straight guys can love musicals too. All I'm saying is that it just didn't ring true for me. I wanted to laugh a lot more. I didn't hate this novel, but I didn't love it either. I expected more based on the reviews of other readers. Oh, well.
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Summary: PS : Long live James Kirkwood!!
Review: I, too, have been a James Kirkwood fan for over 20 years, ever since I ran across "PS, Your cat..." in a local book store while killing some time. I laughed until I cried-for the main reason:(ala Vito) is that Kirkwood really brings out the humor of the most inane and rediculous variety! One page you are laughing, another your are crying. I don't believe they have done justice in the movies to his books(i.e. "Some Kind of Hero"- NOT the way I pictured Eddie-I refused to see it). Please Amazon !! Have the publishers reissue Kirkwood so future generations do not miss out on his "vividness"!!
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Summary: You will laugh, cry & realize this is what life is all about
Review: If you can find this book, buy several copies, as they will disappear. People will borrow it, and you will never see it again; it is that good (I have lost three copies that way). When you read the cover description of the book ("It's New Year's Eve...") , you immediately realize that you have had bad days like that, and you want to know if his day was worse than yours (...it was). I have found this to be one of the funniest, most touching, " go for the gut" books I have ever read, and I recommend it to all! I just wish I could find another copy!
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Summary: To Be Read Over and Over
Review: It's really a shame that this book is not currently being kept in print. This is one of those funny, heartwarming books that I find myself taking off the shelf every year or so. James Kirkwood did a wonderful job of taking a seeming tragedy (the breakin of your home) and blending it with a series of life problems that places the main character in a total funk. When the protagonist walks in during the apartment breakin, he's had it. Everything is wrong in his life and he goes over the top. Unafraid of the burglar, he ties him down to his kitchen counter and hold the burglar hostage. The hysteria starts as he ties down the stripped down burglar and forces him to hear all of life's woes. The interchange is absolutely laugh out loud funny. This great book will take you out of any slump you find yourself in. When things can't get much worse, maybe it's time to do some laughing! That's exactly the tonic for the main character, and it can be just as so for the reader. Save this for a bad week! A wonderful anti-depressant! Also highly recommended is James Kirkwood's "Good Times, Bad Times." A wonderful coming of age tale.
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