The Junk-Drawer Corner-Store Front-Porch Blues

by John R. Powers

Returning to his childhood home on Chicago's South Side, Hollywood comedy writer Donald Cooper roams the streets searching for the key to his identity. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, Humor

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

What good timing to read this book. Found it in my mother's collection when home for her funeral, and to help my father in the initial transition to living without a wife after 48 years. It's an easy read, with silly (and some good) jokes, and some great wisdom about life, loss, and learning to live again.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

6-word review: OMG SOMETHING HAPPEN; bad, just bad.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a different kind of story than Powers’ other three novels. Just as entertaining, though, and just as good a read. Donald Cooper, a comedy writer, has to return from L.A. to his hometown of Chicago to see his mother. The novel is a walk through his life growing up with his family. A very touching, very sweet story. Powers is one of my favorite novelists; it’s a pity he only did four of them.

[Donna Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot --- it doesn't have an involved story --- the narrator gets a medical scare and while he waits for the results, he is summoned by his mother to come back from california to where he grew up in Chicago to find a box in his former house, that he hasn't been in for 20+ years. That's about it, but what the rest of the book covers is little vignettes with his girfriend and him, lots of stories of his home life, his former neighbors he meets on way to his house (he tries to avoid it for several hours. That's about it, but there are lots of laughs along the way because he is a comedy writer and his father was funny, as well. There is a lot of dialogue so the story speeds along, and I really enjoyed it and recommend it. John Powers is the author of "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?" and a couple of other books that I was aware of and read, so it was good to re-experience his work after such a long time.

[Carol Wit · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, I kept waiting for something to happen, which didn't till close to the end of the book.
.....Set in Chicago, most of the book was about Donald Cooper, a Hollywood comedy writer, his younger brother and his mother who is in a hospital and is asking him to go to his childhood home to look for a "brown box" and bring it to her, he wants nothing to do with that as he has not stepped foot in that house in over 20 years, and this causes quite a bit of tension between him and his mother.
......I think if the ending was at the beginning of the book, I would have felt more emotion reading it and not try to get thru it as quickly as I did, even skipping over some dialog, and some not so funny jokes, since I really wanted to find out what was in that damn brown box! so I think I missed the whole emotional factor that was at play. Maybe I'll think about reading it again....maybe

[Wil A Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

John R. Power's last book is both sentimental and bittersweet. The story of two brothers whose mother attempts to seal the bond between them. Written in reflection, Donny, the older brother is called back to Chicago to tend to his ailing mother. Her demand for him to find a treasured item in the old home, leads Donny to revisit his early years and opens up a huge wound about the past. Donny's struggle in the here and now collide with that past. A warm story, filled with humor and grace. The period is the 60's but thoughts and emotions are as current as this day. If you love older books, Power's first 3 are masterpieces of humor. Catholic upbringing laced with rules and rituals that will make you giggle.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always loved John Power's books all set in 1960's Chicago about a Catholic kid growing up in blue collar neighborhood. His first three books takes you through grammar school, high school and then college respectively. Although they are different main characters they're basically the same person. This last book deals with the main protagonist in his forties. Sadly this novel isn't the same quality of the stories from the first three. The constant jumping back and forth of the timeline is the major theme and gets annoying. The book doesn't flow like the first three.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda's recommendation was right on!

Humorous but philosophical at the same time. Set in South Chicago in approximately the same era I grew up. As with so many novels these days, the author goes back and forth from current time to long ago.
Donald is 40ish and hasn't been home in twenty years. Goes back because Mom's in the hospital. He finally faces the past.

[Janeen Hare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a signed copy so I decided to read it. I was curious about the title. It was enjoyable. It made you experience life as the older brother of a very talented and loving young brother. You understand sibling rivalry and the need to keep a sense of humor in life, and treasure the moments we do have together. You even understand the love of families more. I liked it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this so long ago that I can't fully remember the details, but the impressions I'm left with tell me this is a great book. And it takes place in my old neighborhood on the south side of Chicago!

[Kshydog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading about all the goofy things Donald did with his brother during his childhood. Kept wondering what had happened to his brother that made it so hard for him to go back to his house. Thought that it was a nice way to show how important time spent with family is to life.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the author of Do Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, this book is a fabulous and short rendition of growing up Catholic in Chicago in the 50’s. I really enjoyed it.

[ThomasAD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all of his books, I consider this one his best. Funny and awesomely moving. I loved this book.

[Kimberly Huffine]

Personally meet John Powers during a governor's convention dinner in Little Rock. Great guy with deep family values.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I am only halfway through, want to know what happened to Danny and if this guy stops being such a loser.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh...didn't hate it, didn't love it.

[Kabei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

[Joan Horkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Witty, warm and wise.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and philosophical!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this memoir

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was extremely simple, easy reading, basic, simple message, sometimes very predictable and boring, yet sweet.