Knock on Any Door

by Willard Motley

Willard Motley's 1947 best seller shocked the nation with its harsh depiction of the dark underbelly of the American dream. Knock on Any Door dramatizes young immigrant Nick Romano's struggle to survive when his father's business folds, leaving his family with no choice but to move to a poor neighborhood across town. A series of petty crimes land the former Catholic altar boy in reform school, where forceful "rehabilitation" only creates a hardened and resistant spirit among the inmates. Once released, Nick returns to Chicago, where family conflicts and a brief, tragic marriage spiral him further downward, culminating in his arrest for the murder of a police officer. The whole city watches the thrilling legal battle unfold as Nick takes the stand to fight for his life.

Motley researched his novel on the streets of his native Chicago, talking to immigrants about their experiences and visiting juveniles in Illinois's youth detention centers. In Knock on Any Door , Motley creates a painfully vivid picture of poverty, the struggle for ethnic identity, and the flaws of the penal system in urban America.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Novels, The United States Of America, American, Crime, Tragedy

525 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

Willard Francis Motley was an American writer. He worked as a freelance writer, and later founded and published the Hull House Magazine and worked in the Federal Writers Project. Motley's first and best-known novel was Knock on Any Door, which was made into a movie by the same name (1947) starring Humphrey Bogart.

According to the citation statement for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame awards, "Motley was criticized in his life for being a black man writing about white characters, a middle-class man writing about the lower class, and a closeted homosexual writing about heterosexual urges. But those more kindly disposed to his work, and there were plenty, admired his grit and heart....Chicago was more complicated than just its racial or sexual tensions, and as a writer his exploration was expansive...." Motley was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

On March 4, 1965, Motley died in Mexico City, Mexico at age 55. One final novel, Let Noon Be Fair, was published the following year. Since 1929, Chicago has held an annual Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic, (which served as his pen name during his early career at the Chicago Defender) on the second Saturday of August. The parade travels through the city's Bronzeville, Grand Boulevard and Washington Park neighborhoods on the south side. The bulk of Motley's archive is held in Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University.

Reviews

[Wilma Rebstock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a young teenager and was soundly scolded (along with my parents for allowing it). I am 75 now and still remember it so it clearly impacted me! Whether or not this is a good thing, is no doubt still up for grabs. Ha or lol as is said...

[Erik Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this novel, this exact edition, at grandmother's cottage up in Michigan and, lacking anything better to do, read the thing over a couple of summer days and nights. The story of a poor Italian kid in Chicago who has few options and turns to petty crime, only to be wrongly accused of the cold-blooded murder of a police officer, this book wrenched my heart. Indeed, it was most likely the first gritty adult novel I had ever read, almost something I felt I shouldn't read. It msy also have been the first novel to make me weep. I had no idea until looking it up today that the author was a black man, but the powerful sympathy for the protagonist and his immigrant community expressed by Motley set me on the path towards becoming the bleeding heart I am today.

The title refers to the gospel pericope wherein Jesus is represented as saying, among other things of a similar nature, "Knock, and it shall be opened. Seek, and it shall be found." In this story the knocking generally doesn't help.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book, when I was a young teenager. It made such an impact on me, that I never forgot it. I was reading the book, inside my English text book, when I came to the best part near the end. I got caught and had to leave class for the day. I never forgot Nick Romano, however, I did forgot the name of the book and author. When the wonderful world of the internet, came to being I searched for Nick and found him. I ordered the book a few yrs ago from Chapters and reread it again. I was still impressed with the story. A Goodread!

[Andrew Vachss · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think "fiction" can't be the truth, or you have even a passing interest in the reality of Chicago for Post-War "juvenile delinquents," read this for the answer(s) to both.

[Tex Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this as a teenager on, of all things, my mom's bookshelf. I'm pretty sure it was this edition - I remember the cover, with it's title about all there is on the cover. What an eye-opener it was for an innocent kid from suburban white Dallas to see a whole 'nother world where things were not always "privileged." It had such an impact, I still remember it to this day.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was very young. Stole it from my older brother! I have read it several times since and it never fails to capture me. As an English teacher, I often assign it for extra credit. It captures the attention of both males and females. My goal is to loan it out to at least five students a year. I have several copies available to lend to students but NO ONE gets the original I stole from my brother! LOL

[Daniel De Lost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutal and heart-wrenching. I haven't felt so devastated by a story since The Green Mile, which gave me many analogous feelings.

[Karrel Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I ever saw the movie I read the book and fell in love with Nicky Romano - who longed to live fast, die young and leave a good looking corpse. Another book that has stayed with me through all these years. (I never thought the Nicky in the movie was anywhere as special as the Nicky in the book.)

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first this book was an good read. Lots of things happened and you get a clear idea what formed the main character to be what he is. Then the book got repetitive and to be fair if 200 pages where to be deleted here and there it might have been a better book.

[Cillebamdille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried my way through the last 80 pages... One of the best books I've read

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in my twenties when I was still a bit naive and at that time thought it was one of the best books I had read. I have just re read it and am amazed at how much I missed in my naivety. It is a book that I would definitely recommend even to those who have read it before. It is still a five star read in my opinion.

[Arlyne B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick Romano: "Live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse." When I was a teenager, I fell in love with Nick and I was afraid for him. It was a very engrossing read; I wonder how I'd feel reading it all these years later.

[Piet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book certainly makes an impression. It is a kind of sociological approach to life in the slums of Chicago. The story of he short life of Nick Romano is a sorry one. From the age of twelve he grew up to be an offender of the law. From petty crimes to serious robberies, culminating in armed robbery and killing (in self defence you might say). The author remains neutral apart from his criticism on policemen and the district attorney. The reader may wonder why Grant and Owen kept supporting the young criminal. Nick never seems to feel sorry for his acts. Underneath the whole story lies the idea that circumstances shape the individual. The moral aspect is a little neglected. I don`t think Theodore Dalrymple would praise the general tone of this novel.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a literary masterpiece from 1947, the rise and fall of Nathan Romano, a young Chicago hoodlum, who despite a loving family and adoring wife, chooses a life of crime with consequences from killing a policeman. Although, it was over 500 pages of small print, I could not put in down and was saddened by the ending. I want to read more books by Willard Motley, whom although black, wrote about mainly white characters.

[Ian MacIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. The story of an Altar Boy turned bad. Nature or nurture? Survival, poverty, loves and loves lost, friends, enemies, brutal, loving, ... The court scenes are amazing. Hard to put down at times. Everybody loves a bad boy.

John Derek, the husband of Bo Derek, played Nick Romano in the movie. Crazy handsome.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was very young and it has remained in my memory strongly every since. I am not sure that I ever saw the movie..that I do not remember. Live fast, die young, leave a good looking corpse was a line that rang in my mind for a long long time.

[Eddie Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genuine American classic.

Just read again after thirty years and still as powerful.

Nick Romano's story is as true today as it was back then.

Harsh, unyielding and a book that will stay with you forever.

[Dee Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will never forget.

[Fae1956 Hotmailcom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though dated, this is one of the best books I have ever read. You really feel for the characters and have empathy and even love for them. Not to spoil the ending, but it will break your heart.

[Ulrik Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kan huske jeg læste den i folkeskoletiden og var hooked.

[Joe Palermo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book many times in my life and it is still the best book I have ever read.

[Anne Mette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Læste den som ung teenager og kan stadigvæk mærke min begejstring mange år senere.

[MellyK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful book. First read in my teen years and revisited now. Somewhat dated but still packs a punch and leaves the reader pondering about truth, justice and the American way.

[Lynette Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book carried Nick Romano from altar boy to prison. The author believed that society was to blame for Nick's downfall. I believe the author's premise is true.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a young teenager in the late 1960's, I found this old paperback tucked away on a small book shelf in our home. While reading the cover I remember seeing the phrase "Live fast, die young and leave a good looking corpse" It was the hook that lead to a great read! A great book not easily forgotten. I also remember seeing the Humphrey Bogart / John Derek movie on the Late Show back then, haven't seen it in ages.

[Nicole Diamond · Rating 2 out of 5]

If it has one star I liked it a lot
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book, that sticks with you.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I chose from my parent's shelves when I was a pre-teen. I didn't understand it all, but I still remember parts of it.

[Malene · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I've ever read and one of the best books I've ever read! You just falls in love with Nick Romano. Everybody should read this as it will have a deep impact on you.

[Izzie Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with so many characters reading this. Absolutely astounding book. Willard Motley really did his homework.