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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
(Why named so similarly to Saul Bellow's Adventures of Augie March? It made me think this might be a retelling or an homage to that work, but no; the only similarity being the main character was male and the timeline spanned his childhood to adulthood).
In NYC, a baby is abandoned in a theater and loosely raised by the theater's elderly laundress, (she goes home at night and he sleeps at the theater). As a boy, he never leaves the theater, and is mentored by a Shakespearean actor. In reality, he's an orphan, and his life becomes hardship after the real estate owner determines the fate of the theater building.
August faces sadness and loneliness, but there's levity, and the narration zips along. This is a fun, oddball gem.
The theater setting and the amusing romp element reminded me a little of City of Girls. The misadventures-of-a-boy element reminds me of Last Bus to Wisdom. One of my favorites of 2020.
In NYC, a baby is abandoned in a theater and loosely raised by the theater's elderly laundress, (she goes home at night and he sleeps at the theater). As a boy, he never leaves the theater, and is mentored by a Shakespearean actor. In reality, he's an orphan, and his life becomes hardship after the real estate owner determines the fate of the theater building.
August faces sadness and loneliness, but there's levity, and the narration zips along. This is a fun, oddball gem.
The theater setting and the amusing romp element reminded me a little of City of Girls. The misadventures-of-a-boy element reminds me of Last Bus to Wisdom. One of my favorites of 2020.
This book was interesting! The main character was fun and had such a unique story. My biggest issue is that, even though we were with August for most of his life, he still felt fairly distant. That may have been due to how quickly the plot moved, but even still it was an enjoyable story.
3.5 - Nice balance of the hardships of life with some comedic moments sprinkled throughout - just like real life.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really silly and fun
He was born for the stage !
He was born for the stage !
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC! This was a fun, quick read -- great characters, great voice, great setting. There were parts that are pretty tongue-in-cheek which made for some real laughs. I had a hard time believing things until I accepted the the whole willing suspension of disbelief and then I rolled with it!
Delightful! A quick delicious read, only wished it was longer, I could’ve lived in that world for a while.
August is a child of the theater. He quite literally grew up in one. His mom was an actress in post WWI London. She played her role, gave birth backstage, and made it to the curtain call. A seamstress found him and raised him...she loved him but her parenting style was freer than free range and she left him behind every night (see below re suspension of disbelief). His life carries him from the theater to the streets to a fancy prep school and beyond (I'll avoid going further than the blurb does). He finds a mentor and a woman does enter the scene eventually.
This was a fun read, albeit one that didn't go all that deep. At times, it seemed like the author was asking a bit much...I understand suspending disbelief, but it goes a bit farther afield than this reader could comfortably travel (at least for a book that wasn't of the fantasy or even magical realism genre). I didn't really develop an affinity for August, but I still found his story fun to "watch." I appreciated August's sense of loyalty...and his anger when he felt it wasn't being returned. I enjoyed August's childhood and his somewhat unconventional love story, but didn't care as much for the years (and the pages) in between.
It would require some time travel, but I have this lovely mental image of a young Freddie Highmore (think Finding Neverland) as young August tucked away in a tiny forgotten nook and watching in awe as his mentor-to-be took the stage and made August truly fall in love with drama. I'm not quite sure I see Highmore in the adult role...he feels a bit too distinct to fit the bill...but I imagine the author already has someone in mind.
3.5 stars. A solid read. Enjoyable escape but didn't envelop me enough to go beyond my "good not great" score. And I'm now thinking it might be a rare case where the film (screenplay by the author) could outshine the book. Many thanks to the publisher for supplying an advance copy in return for an honest review.
This was a fun read, albeit one that didn't go all that deep. At times, it seemed like the author was asking a bit much...I understand suspending disbelief, but it goes a bit farther afield than this reader could comfortably travel (at least for a book that wasn't of the fantasy or even magical realism genre). I didn't really develop an affinity for August, but I still found his story fun to "watch." I appreciated August's sense of loyalty...and his anger when he felt it wasn't being returned. I enjoyed August's childhood and his somewhat unconventional love story, but didn't care as much for the years (and the pages) in between.
It would require some time travel, but I have this lovely mental image of a young Freddie Highmore (think Finding Neverland) as young August tucked away in a tiny forgotten nook and watching in awe as his mentor-to-be took the stage and made August truly fall in love with drama. I'm not quite sure I see Highmore in the adult role...he feels a bit too distinct to fit the bill...but I imagine the author already has someone in mind.
3.5 stars. A solid read. Enjoyable escape but didn't envelop me enough to go beyond my "good not great" score. And I'm now thinking it might be a rare case where the film (screenplay by the author) could outshine the book. Many thanks to the publisher for supplying an advance copy in return for an honest review.
This book is a super quick and mostly light read. While it does discuss heavy topics such as unwanted pregnancies, child abandonment, prostitution, alcoholism, and crime (among others), I found that there was plenty of quirkiness to make those topics seem less offensive. The underlying theme of trying to figure out what to do with ones life is so relatable. I enjoyed the similarities to The Phantom of the Opera in relation to how August was raised and how the theatre was the best outlet for his talents. A charming debut novel.
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.