Handsomest Sons in the World: A Memoir

by Harold Carlton

Seen through the eyes of earnest, thirteen-year-old Howard, a Jewish family from 1950's London springs into larger-than-life clarity when his parents buy an Italian restaurant in Soho. Beautiful Mum, embittered and repressed Dad, gentle, kindly Grandpa, and towering above the rest, Grandma, with her orange hair, her dead-white face, her unmatchable 'way' with chicken soup (cooked for two days and served with feather-light kneidlach) and her unshakeable belief that her sons are better than anyone elses. All this whirls around Howard, who struggles to understand himself and his family with the help of Freud and his knowledgeable elder sister Rachel. Harold Carlton's semi-autobiographical romp through northwest London and Soho evokes the post-war era with affection and humor.

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An astonishing memoir on so many levels. Finding out more about Jewish life behind the scenes is rewarding and so this was somewhat akin to an up close peek into their lives and customs, their culture. There is plenty of humor but drama as well among the family members. This is a brief, fast read but worth it.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 probably. Poignant but slightly dissatisfying.

[Eleni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and well written