Loading...
296th out of 744 books
—
390 voters
My rating:
add to my books
Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories: And Other Disasters
A bestselling classic of humorous and nostalgic Americana, reissued in a strikingly designed trade paperback edition.
Before Garrison Keillor and Spalding Gray there was Jean Shepherd: a master monologist and writer who spun the materials of his all-American childhood into immensely resonant--and utterly hilarious--works of comic art.
Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories...more
Before Garrison Keillor and Spalding Gray there was Jean Shepherd: a master monologist and writer who spun the materials of his all-American childhood into immensely resonant--and utterly hilarious--works of comic art.
Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
May 12th 2010
by Broadway
(first published January 1st 1974)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
470)
As with his spiritual heir David Sedaris, it's impossible to read Jean Shepherd without hearing his voice. (Anyone who's seen the movie based on his stories, "A Christmas Story," has heard his voice, as he was the film's narrator; anyone who hasn't heard Shepherd's old New York radio shows really needs to seek out some recordings.)
Much of "Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories," as was the case with "A Christmas Story," serves as something of a love le...more
Much of "Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories," as was the case with "A Christmas Story," serves as something of a love le...more
More Jean Shepherd ... and my favorite collection of his stories. Like his first collection, I have been reading these aloud to Nicki over during road trips, finished this collection last year (already working on the third). I probably have read these stories at least 5 times in the past, plus heard Shep tell versions of them. Wonderful stuff. Like the earlier collection, bits and pieces of these stories show up in Shep's film, "A Christmas Story," where most of his modern fans first...more
Jean Shepherd's stories are a sort of quasi-autobiographical nostalgic comedy. He brings us back(?) to the stereotypical midwestern American family of the mid-20th century. You may not recognize his name, but you probably know his work, because four of his short stories (one from this book, and three from In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash) were combined to form most of the material for the movie "A Christmas Story."
It's funny because it's true, but also because it's...more
It's funny because it's true, but also because it's...more
This is perhaps my favorite of all the Jean Shepherd books. Here Shepherd has moved on from his childhood days to junior high and high school, along with his kid brother, Randy, Flick, Schwartz, and the Old Man.
Again, he pokes fun state fairs--and the HOllywood treatment of them--cars, proms, the dream girl. You'll be laughing till you can't stop.
Again, he pokes fun state fairs--and the HOllywood treatment of them--cars, proms, the dream girl. You'll be laughing till you can't stop.
My dad gave me this book when I was growing up, and I thought it was absolutely hilarious. I later found out that a few of the stories from this book were turned into the classic holiday film A Christmas Story. Just a wonderfully written, hilarious account of growing up -- with a tall tale aspect to it that just elevates the stories to pure fun!
Jean Shepherd gave the commencement speech at my high school.He asked me where I was going to college.He laughed and said "That was the first college I got kicked out of!" I got kicked out as well, so I follow in the footsteps of greatness.In my own defense, who the fuck puts a college close enough that if you maintain a steady 110-120mph you can be in Daytona beach in 20 minutes?Anyway this book is a collection of funny stories.He wrote and narrates "A Christmas Story" which...more
There's something very entertaining in reading Jean Shepherd's autobiographical life sketches. There's a realism in the events in his life, and an entertaining optimism in his younger self's outlook on life. Many of his experiences ring true with my own personal experiences and reading them through eyes of someone in a different time period fascinated me.
If you like the movie "A Christmas Story", about a boy in the forties who really wants a BB gun, you will love this book by Jean Shepherd whose stories that movie was taken from. The original versions of a few of the scenes in the movie are in this book.
Laugh-out-loud funny stories from a master, in my opinion. Nobody does tongue in cheek gravitas applied to kid life better. Favorite story so far is "County Fair!", but they're all pretty similar. BONUS: In just about every one, someone seems to throw up.
view 2 comments
Kate
rated it
Wanda Hickey is one of those humorous coming of age stories in vignettes a la Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon stories. The true stories tell of Jean Shepherd's childhood in small town Indiana, where his family and his friends are the main players on a stage of hilarity. Being Polish, I was particularly taken with the story of Josephine, a Polish girl from East Chicago upon whom Jean sets his sights, and whose Polish family he describes with a gusto that makes me love my own family all the more. ...more
If you know The Christmas Story, and I know you do, this has that story and more. You'll shoot your eye out kid! Jean Shepherd is genius. Check out his recently released comedy CD. Better living through chemistry, my friends.
Matthew
rated it
Recommends it for:
David Sedaris, Bill Bryson, and Garrison Keilor fans.
Recommended to Matthew by:
Some lady on a Fathers' Day commentary on NPR
I haven't read for pleasure much since the summer semester started so I'm reading a fun one now.
"The Christmas Story" is based on the events told in this book.
Jean Shepperd writes this book in first person with himself as the main character but I can't tell if this is fact or fiction. I think that it's a little of both, but it doesn't matter. (Probably a little like Bill Bryson's Thunderbolt Kid where the facts are distorted enough so that even the people the ...more
"The Christmas Story" is based on the events told in this book.
Jean Shepperd writes this book in first person with himself as the main character but I can't tell if this is fact or fiction. I think that it's a little of both, but it doesn't matter. (Probably a little like Bill Bryson's Thunderbolt Kid where the facts are distorted enough so that even the people the ...more
At least as good as 'In God We Trust...' or maybe better. The final story about the Junior Prom was outrageously funny.
Great Book...I love his voice and his ability to make the reader experience the story!!
Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories is a fun read of simpler times. Jean Shepherd relates stories of his boyhood, growing up in the shadow of the steel mills in Northwest Indiana. Humor abounds in these tales of hillbilly neighbors, county fairs, fishing vacations, competition on the playground, and, of course, the never-ending adolescent problem of dealing with the opposite sex. You might just find a bit of your own childhood experiences in these pages.
Thom Dunn
rated it
Shelves:
america,
comedy-humor,
essays-and-lectures,
fiction,
manners,
memoir,
a-own-softcover,
read-again,
saw-film,
own-want-hc
Jean Shepherd is in Highest Heaven swapping stories with Mark Twain and Chaucer.
Like a rich and satisfying dessert. Well done and leaves you feeling good.
Ellen
added it
I laughed hysterically when I read this and would like to reread it again soon.
More 'laugh out loud' memories of growing up in the 1940s from Mr. Shepherd
Funny Saturday morning friendly Americana.
Hilarious.
HILARIOUS
This book was recommended to me by a friend who told me that it was one of the only books that made her laugh out loud. I'm proud to say that this book had the same effect on me. If you love A Christmas Story, you'll love this book because the movie is taken from most of the author's childhood tales (told in the book). I received this book and another Shepherd novel for Christmas and they were both terrific reads. I will definitely be checking out his other books.
I didn't not like this book, it was just too slow for me. The stories were good - I never wanted to read more. Watching Christmas Story over the holidays help me to "hear" the author and reading flowed a little easier - but... I was b o r e d. I even kept the book past its overdue date, becuase I did want to read it... but I give up. I just realized I'm not that interested, time to move on! (I finished 46% of this book)
favorite was wimpy doll
The dude checked this out and I stole it away for a bit...
Beats me what the book was about but vaguely remember not liking it. Mike's comments have caused an uproar. I have finally solved the riddle. alice said the book was a 5, as funny as Sedaris or Bryson. If anyone has seen alice read a book she thinks is funny, you will know that she laughs uproariously to the point that you just have to read the book. I did and found it forgettable.
Another favorite of mine, by the author who wrote the story behind the movie "A Christmas Story". Jean Shepherd's narrative voice absolutely kills me. I laugh out loud at some of these stories.
So far I'm just choosing lightweight books, but they are the ones I find myself re-reading for fun.
So far I'm just choosing lightweight books, but they are the ones I find myself re-reading for fun.
My husband got this book for me because I'm addicted to Shepherd's old radio programs and I could watch the Christmas Story over and over again. This won't let you down if you like coming of age stories and you need a book that will actually make you laugh out loud.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
