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5th out of 10 books
—
1 voter
The Man on the Third Floor
by
Anne Bernays
Walter Samson is a successful book editor in post-World War Two New York. He has more than enough money, an interesting wife, Phyllis, two smart children and reason to believe he's leading the good American life. That is, until by chance he meets Barry Rogers. Barry is blue collar, handsome, single, and poor.
Walter is instantly drawn to Barry and, despite the considerable...more
Walter is instantly drawn to Barry and, despite the considerable...more
Hardcover, 184 pages
Published
November 2012
by The Permanent Press
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This slim volume covers quite a bit of territory in its 184 pages. Ostensibly, it's about the gay awakening of its narrator, Walter Samson, set against the backdrop of the 1950’s New York publishing world and the red scare of the McCarthy era. Drawing obvious parallels between the communist witch hunt and Samson’s justifiable paranoia over being outed as a homosexual, author Bernays sets herself an ambitious agenda. Unfortunately, in certain respects, her reach exceeds her grasp.
Strictly as an e...more
Strictly as an e...more
As I've said a dozen times this month, I received this book from a GoodReads drawing.
My last several reviews have reflected an increasing level of cynicism about books, which is a polite way of saying that I've waded through quite a bit of mediocrity. This one, however, was good enough to make me throw out quite a few books as "suspected unpleasantness" and refocus on reading quality literature rather than wasting time on junk. No matter how invigorating it may be to write a scathing review of s...more
My last several reviews have reflected an increasing level of cynicism about books, which is a polite way of saying that I've waded through quite a bit of mediocrity. This one, however, was good enough to make me throw out quite a few books as "suspected unpleasantness" and refocus on reading quality literature rather than wasting time on junk. No matter how invigorating it may be to write a scathing review of s...more
I read this book thanks to my fiance, who won the book through a Goodreads giveaway. He spoke highly of the book and put it on the top of my 'to read' pile of books--that's high praise from him!
The Man on the Third Floor portrays the life of a book publisher in the early- to mid-1900's. This publisher, while married, is involved in a homosexual relationship with a man who lives in the same house the publisher and his family live in. However, the sexual orientation of the publisher, while an impo...more
The Man on the Third Floor portrays the life of a book publisher in the early- to mid-1900's. This publisher, while married, is involved in a homosexual relationship with a man who lives in the same house the publisher and his family live in. However, the sexual orientation of the publisher, while an impo...more
Set in an earlier time of publishing, when editors sought out authors to earn their millions, when words were golden and books were beloved and heroes were seen enjoying martinis lunches in New York hotels… and the closet was closed… Anne Bernays’ The Man on the Third Floor tells the story of a successful gentleman whose money, home and lifestyle all hang by a thread. A stranger has entered that perfect life and suddenly the world’s satisfactions are not what they seemed, at least not for Walter...more
I am a fan of writer Anne Bernays, so I was delighted to win a copy of The Man on the Third Floor from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
The book was extremely readable, despite the fact that the narrator's voice is cold, usually dispassionate (except with regards to his own passion) and judgmental. As may be obvious, I did not much like Walter Samson, the protagonist in this story, although I enjoyed his world-he is an editor for a small publishing house in 1950s New York, during the height of the...more
The book was extremely readable, despite the fact that the narrator's voice is cold, usually dispassionate (except with regards to his own passion) and judgmental. As may be obvious, I did not much like Walter Samson, the protagonist in this story, although I enjoyed his world-he is an editor for a small publishing house in 1950s New York, during the height of the...more
Received as an Early Reviewer book. I mostly enjoyed Anne Bernays writing style--especially in the first 2/3 of the book, but found her portrayal of the main character rather flat. Missing was a large degree of suspense that would have surrounded his surreptitious relationship with another man in his own house. The story line surrounding the threats made by his publishing firms key author and ultimate exposure of his affair also failed to deliver. It almost seemed like the author was tired of wr...more
Received as a giveaway on goodreads.com first reads. Thank you for choosing me and I look forward to reading it. I read this book in a few hours. It had me captivated from the beginning. To me, the narrative was disconnected...well maybe detached would be a better word in a third person kind of way. It was almost as if this were happening to someone else and not him. The story line was true to the time period. I found bits of it comical in an ironic sort of way. I cannot believe he pulled this o...more
This book started very slowly and had some gaps in the plot, in my opinion. For example, how did Barry come to live with Walter? Furthermore, I'd say the firs third was a bit mundane - Walter doing this, Walter doing that. However, the book picked up substantially after about 1/3 of the way through - at that point, I could not put it down. I did find Walter a bit narcissistic, and not entirely likeable, but the backdrop of the McCarthy era, in my mind, explained that a bit.
I really liked that this was a story about a man in the 20s-50s and his typical well-off family, and his secret male lover who lived in the servants quarters upstairs in his house. Although intriguing, the story was also flat and dull. In a very weird way this book was both easy to read and easy to put down.
*disclaimer* I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway, but my review is 100% honest.
*disclaimer* I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway, but my review is 100% honest.
Fun and fascinating window into the '50's era publishing world, coming from someone who knows it best. This is a real page-turner - Anne Bernays writes with wit and canor about a hidden relationship conducted at a time when revealing it would be disastrous for all parties involved.
Well written for a first person narrative.
It was good. At some parts it was hard to keep me interested, But I am sure the final edit copy edition will be wonderful!
Won as part of the Goodreads first reads program. Review to come.
first reads giveaway
interesting and thought provoking
Apr 20, 2013
Nancee
added it
Apr 18, 2013
Rakhaers
marked it as to-read
Mar 19, 2013
Leigh Douglass
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May 04, 2013
Mary Beth
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Feb 21, 2013
Marina
marked it as to-read
Feb 14, 2013
Heather
marked it as maybe
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