The Golden Hour: A Novel

by Nicholas Weinstock

After nineteen years of marriage, two roaring decades as an investment banker, and forty-six years in the bustle of upper-crust Manhattan, Bill Schoenberg has lost it all. He has made a mistake, regrettable and unspeakable, and now finds himself fleeing to his newly purchased country house in Harristown, New York, with no plan and no ability to blend in with the locals and the foliage. His French-cuff shirts must be traded for flannel, his luxury apartment for the rural mini-mansion he bought for his wife; yet when he runs across the town's rag-tag volunteer firefighting company, he realizes he's stumbled onto the possibility of redemption.

As Bill sets about learning to knock down brush fires and pry free the victims of car accidents, he has the chance, for the first time in his halfhearted life, to save the day. But he is dogged by darker forces: pursued by his lawyer, loathed by his wife, and quite possibly stalked by an angry local vandal. Darkest of all may be his own secret, which is coming closer to the surface the longer he stays in Harristown.

Thoughtful and suspenseful, hugely entertaining and beautifully constructed, The Golden Hour is the story of one man's power to ruin and regain his life.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, non-taxing read

Conversion stories are usually enjoyable, and sometimes one ever learns something new to boot. Why not learn to fight fires?

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me a lot of early Richard Russo, who does small towns, and fish out of water very well.

Interesting story of a man coming to terms with himself, his life, his faults and fears. Along the way, he learns more about himself and steps outside of his comfort zone to find a new life. Throw in becoming a volunteer firefighter, a small town in upstate New York (characters welcome), a divorce and trying to figure out who the paramour of his ex was, and the tale gains depth and amusement.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Weinstock's last book, _As Long As She Needs Me_, which was a sweet romantic comedy. This, in contrast, is a boy book about a wimpy wealthy Manhattanite who moves out to the country and joins the volunteer fire department, where he battles his inner fears and learns to be physically brave. Pretty predictable, but some nice characters. Lots of profanity.

[Pamk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story written from a man's perspective, and it seemed very plausible. It's very rare that I laugh out loud while reading, but this book accomplished that at least once. An enjoyable read.