Mommy S Son

Mommy S Son

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by David Hirshberg

David Hirshberg (Goodreads Author)

In the spirit of Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America and Michael Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay comes My Mother's Son , the meticulously-crafted debut novel from David Hirshberg. The story is told by a radio raconteur revisiting his past in post-World War II Boston, the playground and battleground for two brothers whose lives are transformed by discov
In the spirit of Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America and Michael Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay comes My Mother's Son , the meticulously-crafted debut novel from David Hirshberg. The story is told by a radio raconteur revisiting his past in post-World War II Boston, the playground and battleground for two brothers whose lives are transformed by discoveries they never could have imagined. From the opening line of the book, “When you’re a kid, they don’t always tell you the truth,” the stage is set for this riveting coming-of-age story that plays out against the backdrop of the Korean War, the aftermath of the Holocaust, the polio epidemic, the relocation of a baseball team, and the shenanigans of politicians and businessmen. Hirshberg deftly weaves together events, characters, and clues and creates a rich tapestry of betrayal, persecution, death, loyalty, and unconditional love that resonates with today’s America.
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Published
May 15th 2018
by Fig Tree Books LLC

(first published March 15th 2018)

194149322X
(ISBN13: 9781941493229 )

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Nov 10, 2017

Elyse Walters

rated it
it was amazing

Update -- This book is a $1.99 Kindle special today -- I thought it was great -- and good price to boot! “My Mother’s Son” is a highly pleasurable novel...engrossing and irresistible! We are transported back to the 1950’s through the voice of Joel, who for forty-seven years had worked as a radio raconteur. Upon retirement, Joe writes his memoir. “Reflected in it is a story both personal and universal that I skirted around gingerly for all these years, a memoir about betrayal, disease, gambling, d
Update -- This book is a $1.99 Kindle special today -- I thought it was great -- and good price to boot! “My Mother’s Son” is a highly pleasurable novel...engrossing and irresistible! We are transported back to the 1950’s through the voice of Joel, who for forty-seven years had worked as a radio raconteur. Upon retirement, Joe writes his memoir. “Reflected in it is a story both personal and universal that I skirted around gingerly for all these years, a memoir about betrayal, disease, gambling, death, bribery, persecution, kidnapping, war, politics, escape, loyalty, forgery, unconditional love, depression, Marines, theft, girls, and a dog”. For most of Joel’s growing years in Boston, if you had asked what he wanted to be when he was growing up... he might have said a baseball player, veterinarian, an accountant, a furniture dealer, or a doctor.... but the reality was he had no idea of what he was going to do - for those 47 years - or what he wanted to be - until he did it. Yet as we follow along - side by side - as the 13 year old Joel tells us his story - it doesn’t seem surprising that Joel did in fact become “The Guy On The Radio”. The first sentence of this novel is powerful and profound but grows even richer in meaning as we journey through the delightful storytelling by debut author David Hirshberg. “WHEN YOU’RE A KID, THEY DON’T AWAYS TELL YOU THE TRUTH”. This book is a family-saga fiction story — with fabulous characters: Joel’s older brother by 2 years, Steven, mom, dad, Auntie Rose, ( with her wonderful inserted diary readings), Uncle Jake, Old Uncle A, Papa, Noodge Mauer, Myandrew, Frankie, Morone, Mr. Perini, Mr. Carlson, Susie, BlueDog,etc....... This novel is also literary fiction- historical fiction - and Jewish fiction..... taking place in Boston 1952...during the polio epidemic- the world of baseball: ( The Boston Braves relocate to Milwaukee and all the drama it entailed)...post-WWII Boston, the aftermath of the Holocaust, The Korean War, Jewish experiences in America, and overall American Culture through our politicians, businessman and daily life. The heart of this story - is a personal profound lie- which Joel discovers through the process of living itself. I found it deeply moving - and am still thinking about it. “To be a kid, baseball is leather mitts, rubber balls, wooden bats, insignias, pennants, parks, and hotdogs. Polio is doctors, hospitals, shots, paralysis, wheelchairs, and lowered voices. War is salutes and metals, pretend battles, make-believe deaths, days off from school, guns, and parades. Politics is elections, Speeches, buttons, flags, handshakes, history, and rallies.” “These were the things I knew, for sure, in Boston in 1952. They were truths. They were no less true than the knowledge that my parents wouldn’t lie to me, that the mystery of girls would never be revealed to me, that death came only to the old, and man’s best friend was a dog.” “By the end of that year, I can tell you that I still believed the thing about the dog”. Emotionally satisfying!!!!! I cried quietly about 10 minutes ‘after’ I had finished reading this book. The richness is substantial! - enough to make this woman cry. This book will be released in stores of May - 2018! *A little bonus for me.....I was born in the year 1952
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4+ stars . What a fantastic debut! This novel is in the form of a memoir narrated by Joel, a retired radio show host. It is the story of a young Jewish boy growing up in the 1950’s in Boston so by its very nature it a a story of the Jewish experience, about the Holocaust - through the story of Joel’s Uncle Jake and how he escaped being sent to the camps. This story is many more things, though. With its fantastic sense of time and place, we get a depiction of some of the major events shaping the c
4+ stars . What a fantastic debut! This novel is in the form of a memoir narrated by Joel, a retired radio show host. It is the story of a young Jewish boy growing up in the 1950’s in Boston so by its very nature it a a story of the Jewish experience, about the Holocaust - through the story of Joel’s Uncle Jake and how he escaped being sent to the camps. This story is many more things, though. With its fantastic sense of time and place, we get a depiction of some of the major events shaping the country in the 50’s - the polio epidemic, the Korean War. It’s an intimate portrait of Boston in the 50’s replete with corrupt politics at $5 a vote, with gambling payoffs, and the Boston Braves departure to Milwaukee. Joel and his brother Steven are very much in the thick of things, although not at first knowing what’s behind them, as they deliver envelopes full of money for their Papa and his friends. It’s a coming of age novel as Joel gradually discovers what’s been happening as well as the other secrets held by his family. I enjoyed so many things about this book. What a cast of colorful characters- Myandrew, Noodge Maher, Frankie, Morone, Murph Feldman, Derby Canurbi, Chief Stinkowski, Papa, Uncle Jake and Auntie Rose whose diary entries are interspersed throughout. And I can’t forget the connections with real life people such as Honey Fitz, Tip O’Neill, JFK. These real people connecting with the fictional characters was reminiscent of books by E.L. Doctorow. I might have given this a full five stars, but I thought the politics and baseball stuff was a little drawn out in the middle. This story is about so many things, not the least of which is family and unconditional love. Highly recommended! I received an advanced copy of this book from Fig Tree Books through Edelweiss.
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Shelves:
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arcs ,
ew-ew-wishlist ,
kindle-version

4.5 charming stars to My Mother’s Son! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟.5 Thank you to my friends, Elyse and Angela, for this wonderful recommendation. I am ecstatic after reading this book. Joel worked as a radio host for over 40 years, and he is our narrator with the present day being the 1950s (one of my favorite time periods of which to read because both my parents were children during that time). Joel tells us the story of his life in post WWII Boston. Hot button issues of the time form the historical backdrop of th
4.5 charming stars to My Mother’s Son! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟.5 Thank you to my friends, Elyse and Angela, for this wonderful recommendation. I am ecstatic after reading this book. Joel worked as a radio host for over 40 years, and he is our narrator with the present day being the 1950s (one of my favorite time periods of which to read because both my parents were children during that time). Joel tells us the story of his life in post WWII Boston. Hot button issues of the time form the historical backdrop of this endearing story and include the Korean War, the polio epidemic, the years after the Holocaust, and all the various political scandals. My Mother’s Son is a carefully woven tale of the same topics that know no time and place- betrayal and hate, and on the flip side, steadfastness and immense love. I took off half a star just because some of the baseball stuff was a little draggy to me (I’m just not a baseball fan). Otherwise, this is book gold! Thank you to David Hirshberg for this lovely debut, as well as Fig Tree Books and Edelweiss for ARC. My Mother’s Son is available now! My reviews can also be found on my blog. www.jennifertarheelreader.com
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historical-fiction ,
holocaust-ww-2 ,
war

If I had been told when I started reading this book that I would give it one of my rare 5+ star ratings, I would have been incredulous. As it turned out, I became spellbound and did not want this recounting to end! There were many reasons for this reaction. First, it was because I grew up around the time the author relates as his childhood in the very same neighborhoods he so faithfully mentions! I can vividly picture things he has alluded to, like Braves Field, and the departure of this baseb
If I had been told when I started reading this book that I would give it one of my rare 5+ star ratings, I would have been incredulous. As it turned out, I became spellbound and did not want this recounting to end! There were many reasons for this reaction. First, it was because I grew up around the time the author relates as his childhood in the very same neighborhoods he so faithfully mentions! I can vividly picture things he has alluded to, like Braves Field, and the departure of this baseball team from Boston. A painful loss, felt by almost all. I remember being confined from many activities each summer due to the polio epidemic and the birth of the “Jimmy Fund” for childhood cancer,although Hirshberg named the “Timmy Fund”for polio. There are many other historical events discussed that meld with the story and my memories. I knew of “Honey Fitz” (somewhat), of the young Presidential nominee described and much more. Of a more personal item was the observance of certain Jewish holidays and customs typical of the time and populace. Also, it is probably expected that I would frequently encounter victims and/or survivors of the Holocaust which the author movingly described. It is interesting to note that David Hirshberg is a pseudonym and grew up in New York, particularly because he has described the geographical sites so accurately. I was particularly impressed by his ability to impart the attributes of All of his characters of the time so vividly and their manners of relating to each other. He caused many a chuckle for me as I read “Mother's” admonishments, such as “”YOUR FATHER WORKED DAY AND NIGHT SO YOU COULD HAVE A NICE LIFE”! This captured parental thinking frequently given as warning by many of most ethnic groups. Hirshberg's young brothers' activities, somewhat comparable , but often dissimilar to mine, recalled a very different time for youngsters. Children would often spend hours flocked together without adult supervision, safely and with many subsequent, lifelong, friendship bonds and learned skills- some of which were suspicious. Of course dangers lurked in unexpected places! Much of this was viewed throughout the novel. Although I have completed my reading of this book, it satisfied many outstanding features for me. Mr. Hirshberg, I wish I knew who you truly are!
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Jun 06, 2020

Sam

rated it
it was amazing

As someone who usually prefers stories by or about women, this gripping novel about 2 brothers in 1952 Boston genuinely captured my attention and is now one of my favorite books of 2020! Although most of this story took place in Boston in the 1950s, the plot also reached back to describe events in 1922 and 1938 (in Germany, around Kristallnacht), and provided brief but helpful follow-ups during the 5 or 6 decades after the Korean War. These gave the book a unique feeling of completeness that was
As someone who usually prefers stories by or about women, this gripping novel about 2 brothers in 1952 Boston genuinely captured my attention and is now one of my favorite books of 2020! Although most of this story took place in Boston in the 1950s, the plot also reached back to describe events in 1922 and 1938 (in Germany, around Kristallnacht), and provided brief but helpful follow-ups during the 5 or 6 decades after the Korean War. These gave the book a unique feeling of completeness that was ultra-satisfying. Everything felt wrapped up and resolved...well, sort of. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the story was that I was never quite certain what was “true” because the author would cleverly reveal another “truth” later, using childhood innocence, or other “excuses,” to explain the earlier “misunderstanding.” The story also incorporated a coming-of-age theme, with deep insights into the characters. But the plot was also filled with plenty of action...politics, baseball, gambling, war tales. I couldn’t wait to pick it up again in the morning! Extremely highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction, murder mysteries, and YA. Thank you NetGalley for providing the book in exchange for my honest review.
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Mar 05, 2018

Laurie Lichtenstein

rated it
it was amazing

This book is about two brothers growing up in 1950s Boston. A loving Jewish family with a mysterious past. The examining of events, planned and unplanned. Scars, obvious and hidden. Doing what needs to be done to survive, and help others survive. The anguish and guilt of surviving. Relationships. Loyalty. Family. Shattered dreams, first loves, baseball, and a dog. It is clever and entertaining and tinged with humor and pain. Beautifully constructed. Amazing language. Highly recommend.

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Jul 11, 2018

Judy G

rated it
it was amazing

This is an unusual book yet the framework is something that has been done frequently. Its a family in fifties in Boston and the family is Jewish. I am certain the author is Jewish however he is not really David Hirshberg as he covered up his true ID. I was very puzzled by the title since it is a son who is telling the tale of those times and those people At the end of the story and only after I closed the book (yes I read a book book) that I understood the title and it is not something frivolous
This is an unusual book yet the framework is something that has been done frequently. Its a family in fifties in Boston and the family is Jewish. I am certain the author is Jewish however he is not really David Hirshberg as he covered up his true ID. I was very puzzled by the title since it is a son who is telling the tale of those times and those people At the end of the story and only after I closed the book (yes I read a book book) that I understood the title and it is not something frivolous. This is about life and peoples' lives and relationships and politics. A common theme is dishonesty fake ness pretense and that is for many of these people their way to survive. This is a very complex yet a very simple tale to read from Judy
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Apr 01, 2018

Doreen Ashbrook

rated it
it was amazing

What a delightful and well-written book. Reminiscent of Moonglow by Michael Chabon (who is one of my favorite authors). The multi-generational story telling was extremely engaging and the characters tugged at my heartstrings. Not knowing what was truth and what was 'story-telling' added a layer of enjoyment. Again - thank you Goodread Giveaways!!!
What a delightful and well-written book. Reminiscent of Moonglow by Michael Chabon (who is one of my favorite authors). The multi-generational story telling was extremely engaging and the characters tugged at my heartstrings. Not knowing what was truth and what was 'story-telling' added a layer of enjoyment. Again - thank you Goodread Giveaways!!!
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Jun 28, 2020

Cheryl Sokoloff

rated it
it was amazing

My Mother’s Son is a coming of age story for a Joel, a young Jewish boy, growing up in Boston. The majority of the story takes place over the summer of 1952. It is during this particular summer that Joel realizes “When you’re a kid, they (adults), don’t always tell you the truth.” They tell you what’s convenient for them. This was certainly mo
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