Hurray for Me by S.J. Wilson ~ 1964. This edition: Pocket Cardinal, 1965. Paperback. 264 pages.

My rating: 5/10.

*****

This is a rather interesting book, written by an author I’d never heard of before. A first novel, very autobiographical in tone, which shows a lot of promise, and is a quite decent read.

The reviews on the back cover are glowing:

“A rare and refreshing book. It is a strong story gently told and I found it a delight to read…”  (Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)

and

“…rings with character and the rhythms of young life. It stays with you for days after you’ve read the last page.” (New York Herald Tribune)

and

“Its innocence and freshness are like a breeze from the sea. What lends it magic is the way it is told, its highly original viewpoint, and the subtle shifts in mood and emotion …” (Saturday Review)

On the front flyleaf of this vintage paperback is this note from a previous owner:

Lake of Bays, July 13/66. Left under my pillow by Mary.

Intriguing!

And from Kirkus, 1963:

A five-year-old’s world which begins and ends with his mother and seem stable is viewed through the eyes of young Bobby Hirshman and told accordingly and lubly. For Bobby is a very verbal child whose tongue is given to twisting (“You’re crazy like a daisy, Fifi-la-la-Libby”). But once you get used to all these nonsense words and name calling, you may share in these scenes of Lower East Side, N.Y.C. and its good-natured schreierei; Mrs. Greneker whose feud with the landlord leads to further protest (garbage, out the window); the expansive Carmella; and the other familiars of the neighborhood. For Bobby, there’s first day at school and the new friend he meets, Johnny Schaefer. This brings many “”tsores”” (troubles) into his own life since Johnny’s mother is very sick, and, at her death, Bobby loses his own immunity to the intimations of mortality. With the loss of that childish certainty – mothers don’t die – Bobby grows up a little and the book closes…. A first novel, true to a time – the early ’30’s, and close to experience – guessably the author’s …

The story is told in first person narrative by young Bobby Hirshman, five years old and learning about life the hard way. Growing up Jewish in Depression-era New York is a theme which we’ve seen fairly frequently, and this poignant tale has the familiarity of repetition, but it is unique in its own way. Occasionally the author breaks character, but by and large the voice is authentic; the child’s-eye view feels true and strong.

I enjoyed this book, but not enough to shelve it with my “keepers”. In my internet browsing, looking for more information about the author, I have seen several comments to the effect that this is a rather hard to come by title. So I’ve decided, instead of just trusting to fate and releasing it via BookCrossing or the Sally Ann box, to pass it along more directly to anyone who wishes to try it. It’s a fairly slender paperback, crisp and clean despite some age-toning and a bit of weakness at the lower spine, and I’d be happy to mail it postpaid to anyone, anywhere. My treat!

This is by way of being an advance on my plan to give away some more books this month in honour of April being my one-year “Blog Birthday”. It’s a bit hard to believe the year has come full circle; I had no real expectations that I would still be so involved with the project, but here I am. Still interested, and hugely enjoying the conversations with other readers from all around the world!

So – if you think you’d like to own Hurray for Me, just drop me a note in the comments, and I’ll message you for your address and send it on its way.

It’s a neat little read, and deserves a good home. My other giveaways will be “draw” style, I think, but this one will be first come-first served.

Thank you, wonderful readers and writers, for a year of pure pleasure. I’m looking forward to what this next year will bring with happy anticipation!