Praying for Rain

by Jerome Weidman

These memoirs introduce a myriad of characters ranging from Weidman's mother and family doctor to Somerset Maugham, Walter Winchell, Lillian Hellman, Dashiell Hammett, and John O'Hara

422 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1986

About the author

Jerome Weidman was an American playwright and novelist. He collaborated with George Abbott on the book for the musical Fiorello! with music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. All received the 1960 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the work.

Reviews

[Tom Leland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would give it a 5 out of 10. I've read two of his books, though not his most famous, I Can Get It For You Wholesale.

I find that he tends to overwrite -- but in his novels, not enough to affect my enjoyment. In this memoir, I found it tiring -- along with so many arbitrary metaphors. Example: "Sheen's eyes went up like a couple of window shades snapping free from their restraining ratchets."

I liked the anecdotes about authors and other notables from the 30s-60s...the parts about Dick Simon and Simon & Schuster especially.

[Florence Buchholz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for some tales about the author growing up on the lower east side and was disappointed to find mostly anecdotes and gossip about one time celebrities.