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104th out of 386 books
—
154 voters
McSorley's Wonderful Saloon
“Mitchell’s collection of portraits is the exact opposite of the books that choose an important subject, but are hastily written and have nothing much to say. These books, which form the bulk of current writing, always make you feel as if you had paid for looking into the wrong end of a telescope. Mitchell, on the other hand, likes to start with an unimportant hero, but he...more
Hardcover, 370 pages
Published
June 5th 2001
by Pantheon
(first published 1944)
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This book has started a few conversations on the train with people who know the place. It's a collection of essays from the New Yorker published in the 1930s and 40s, This-American-Life-Like portraits of eccentric New York personalities and some little-understood ethnic groups, from the gypsies who made a living telling fortunes to the Calypso musicians who will die before they sing another man's song to a community of Native Americans who specialize in skyscraper construction. There's the drift...more
I had a chance to meet Joe Mitchell late in his life in the late 80s and early 90s when his books were out of print. A friend of a friend worked as a fact-checker at the New Yorker where he went every day to write, although his was probably the most debilitating case of writer's block ever: decades without publishing a word after Joe Gould's Secret, my favourite work by JM. Funny thing is, I always imagined the blocked writer would be downcast, depressed or a slave to alcohol or drugs. JM was di...more
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I wanted to find a copy of a collection of short stories from the New Yorker about New York. It’s an older book, but it’s not out of print. Nevertheless, I couldn’t find it at any of the bookstores I tried while I was in New York.
Instead, a kindly bookseller directed me to this book. It turned out to be exactly the type of book I was seeking. It’s a collection of pieces that Joseph Mitchell wrote about odd New Yorkers he ran across in his work as a journalist during the thirties, forties, fiftie...more
Instead, a kindly bookseller directed me to this book. It turned out to be exactly the type of book I was seeking. It’s a collection of pieces that Joseph Mitchell wrote about odd New Yorkers he ran across in his work as a journalist during the thirties, forties, fiftie...more
Die Kurzgeschichten in diesem Buch spielen alle in Nordamerika in der Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts, viele davon in New York. Wie man schon der Inhaltsangabe entnehmen kann, stellt Mitchell vor allem die Exoten und Sonderlinge der Gesellschaft in den Vordergrund (Zigeuner, Indianer, Taubstumme, Straßenprediger, Arbeitslose) und auch Kneipen spielen oft eine tragende Rolle.
In nahezu allen Geschichten gibt es kaum Handlung, viel mehr lässt der Erzähler (zum Beispiel in einer Bar/Kneipe) einen Vertret...more
In nahezu allen Geschichten gibt es kaum Handlung, viel mehr lässt der Erzähler (zum Beispiel in einer Bar/Kneipe) einen Vertret...more
Aug 19, 2011
Jennifer
added it
Many of the pieces in this book first appeared in the New Yorker in the 1930s and 1940s, and it's hard to imagine writing that captures the spirit of the city at that time better. There isn't a lick of action in here; it's all wonderfully-drawn short vignettes of the characters that give New York its charm--Commodore Dutch, who collects dues for a society with no other mission than to support him; tough, tender-hearted Mazie, owner of a dime movie house; Lady Olga, a famous bearded lady; Joe Gou...more
Technically i haven't yet finished this book, had to return it to the library. While i really enjoyed the snippets of life in and around McSorleys, some parts of the book were quite slow, and some characters more interesting than others.
I really enjoyed this series of portraits of New York (and a few southern at the end) characters from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. The only problem is not knowing how fictionalized it was. The library had it shelved under fiction, but at the very least the title essay seems to be entirely true, as far as I can tell. The essays are funnier the more I can believe that they are actual people and the quotations, actual quotes from actual people. I know David Sedaris has admitted to brushing up the truth...more
A collection of newspaper and magazine articles from the 30's to the 50's - Wildly varied in subject, invariably entertaining.
I love Joseph Mitchell. He is the best. I've read this book four or five times. It makes me happy.
Joe Gould and many other carefully crafted tales from the City of the American Century. New York portraits from the past, the King of the Gypsies in particular a wonderful piece. This is what we missed, and will never be able to come close to again. Freakin Guiliani!
the title story holds a place in my heart for McSorley's was the birthplace of the A. Cornell finger-stache "Helloo!" routine... brilliant.
the title story holds a place in my heart for McSorley's was the birthplace of the A. Cornell finger-stache "Helloo!" routine... brilliant.
Just read the first chapter and I'm hooked.
I started reading this a while ago. I was enjoying it, but it was so out of date I got irritated and put it down. Perhaps one day it'll be finished.
Thanks, Kevin!!!
wow. read this.
May 20, 2013
Michael Walker
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| Do they mention the wishbone thing? | 1 | 3 | 22 de Oct 10:20 |
There is more than one author with this name
Joseph Mitchell was an American writer who wrote for The New Yorker. He is known for his carefully written portraits of eccentrics and people on the fringes of society, especially in and around New York City.
-Wikipedia
More about Joseph Mitchell...
Joseph Mitchell was an American writer who wrote for The New Yorker. He is known for his carefully written portraits of eccentrics and people on the fringes of society, especially in and around New York City.
-Wikipedia
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28 de Feb 04:21