The Christmas Kid: And Other Brooklyn Stories (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
This is a wonderful collection of Pete Hamill's writings. The majority of these short tales were previously published as NY Daily News articles (where they were always the best part of that day's edition) or in various short story publications. If I'm not mistaken, the majority of the newspaper articles were published before newspapers became available via the Web. So, if the News wasn't sold at your corner store, these stories will be brandy new to you and you should consider yourself lucky to find them now. Each one stands the test of time and each resonates with the embers of what growing up in a working class Brooklyn environment was all about. Though we are separated in age by 12 years we were raised only 6 blocks from each other. Granted, 6 blocks in Brooklyn can highlight a number of neighborhood distinctions but the Brooklyn he writes about was little different than mine. Kids played stickball and ringolevio in the street all summer, sledded in Prospect Park all winter and were watched over by every pal's mother while playing in the neighborhood after school. Those things took place in his time as well as mine and they each play a part in many of his writings. And, later, becoming aware of the wonder of girls and finding, and invariably losing, that first love are subjects he covers in a real manner. But, it's the descriptions of the rough-hewn, working class men and women of that neighborhood where his writing shines the brightest. These are not touchy feely people. They work hard for very little in return and are always trying their best to make do. Most make it, too many don't. It's easy to assume the flimsy connection I perceive is why I find these stories so meaningful. Many of them are dark and are often bleak but if you take the time to taste and savor his writing you'll find his words are relevant across the wide human scope and speak to each of us no matter where we grew up. Family, love, honesty, honor, fear, friendship, all the important emotions that make a life worthwhile are found in the majority of Pete's protagonists. The tales of needing to rise above and triumph over the small minded and jaded amongst us ring true enough that you'll swear he must've been there when you experienced similar situations. These stories are of a different time (too easy to say a simpler time) but we have them now collected together, so we can revisit them whenever we like. Don't hesitate to pick this book up so you can go back to the old neighborhood when the spirit moves you! Pete Hamill is a great story teller. These stories have a great amount of suspense, but the one thing I can say is that Hamill's Brooklyn was BLEAK! There are maybe three stories that have a pleasant ending. The rest are a nostalgic look back on a an era when drugs, gangs and crime dominated BK. I do find it funny that people thought this book was going to be Christmas stories. Ahahaha I guess no one read the jacket cover.
What do You think about The Christmas Kid: And Other Brooklyn Stories (2012)?
I'd actually give this 3 1/2 stars-a very enjoyable reading of very short stories.
—axeanna
Another excellent book by Hamill. Great stories.
—mary
