The Bicycle Rider in Beverly Hills

by William Saroyan

A memoir of Saroyan's childhood and young manhood in California.

178 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer, renowned for his novels, plays, and short stories. He gained widespread recognition for his unique literary style, often characterized by a deep appreciation for everyday life and human resilience. His works frequently explored themes of Armenian-American immigrant experiences, particularly in his native California, and were infused with optimism, humor, and sentimentality.
Saroyan's breakthrough came with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (1934), a short story that established him as a major literary voice during the Great Depression. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for The Time of Your Life, though he declined the award, and in 1943, he won an Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy. His novel My Name Is Aram (1940), based on his childhood, became an international bestseller.
Though celebrated for his literary achievements, Saroyan had a tumultuous career, often struggling with financial instability due to his gambling habits and an unwillingness to compromise with Hollywood. His later works were less commercially successful, but he remained a prolific writer, publishing essays, memoirs, and plays throughout his life.
Saroyan's legacy endures through his influence on American literature, his contributions to Armenian cultural identity, and the honors bestowed upon him, including a posthumous induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His remains are divided between Fresno, California, and Armenia, reflecting his deep connection to both his birthplace and ancestral homeland.

Reviews

[Il Pech · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐½

"Questo libro per forza di cose è senza capo ne coda. Se per cominciare avessi aspettato di trovarmi al principio, non avrei cominciato mai."

Autobiografia di Saroyan,
consigliata solo ai fans accaniti. Libro strano, assolutamente non lineare, che procede per temi e ricordi.
L'autore ci racconta qualche aneddoto e poi più che altro insiste sulla sua volontà si essere, di fare e di diventare scrittore.
È inconcludente, spocchioso, molto pretenzioso, insomma, solito, classico, adorabile, Saroyan.


"Da principio ho vissuto la fine, e il mezzo e il principio, tutto in una volta, tutto quanto, e così sarà nel mezzo, e così sarà alla fine."

[Magnús Jochum Pálsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smásögur/skáldsaga/endurminningar/heimspekilegar pælingar eins og verða vill hjá Saroyan. Frekar óeftirminnileg bók en góðu sprettirnir eru það margir að hún skilur eftir sig góðan fíling.

[margot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This writing style is unique and captivating, but somehow I felt like I zoned out the whole book. Very, very philosophical, and pretty. But at times, what the narrator wanted to say felt so wordy and confusing to me that I couldn't connect well. Somehow I think this book is objectively great but personally it will fade into the background.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few can portray the inner reality of a child as well as Saroyan. Also, reflections on writers/writing, art, music, creativity—all woven into a cohesive whole. The Bicycle Rider in Beverly Hills is Saroyan at his best. It instantly became one of my favorite books.

[Nara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely loved the autobiography he wrote after this one, which I read before this one, “Here Comes, There Goes…” because it felt more like an expansion of this one. This one felt like more broad; “Here Comes, There Goes” felt a lot more specific. I like the details more.

[Dan Tal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real gem, the prose written as poetry.