Art Buchwald appears
twice-weekly in the Washington Post 'Style' section; he's also syndicated in
virtually every major newspaper in the world. Though he's written 30 some-odd books, we
want to turn you on to his two latest:
Leaving Home (1993) and I’ll Always Have Paris (1996)
G P Putnam's Sons
If you're one of the great washed & unemployed, you won't feel guilty
catching such great reads at Dollar Tree-- that's right, only a buck! Don't seem
fair, does it? Ah, the Dollar Tree-- our fave bookstore these days; the guy who founded
it, Doug Perry, built part of Ward's Corner (Times Square
of the South) in our neck o' the 'hood. Buchwald pours his poor early years into a tome or
two, and they can sell 'em brand new (to us) for one clam? How 'zat work? But wait-- our
copy of Leaving Home was autographed --and we're talking hardback, first
printing! We thought it was a fluke the first go-round, when our copy of Kinky Friedman's Blast from the
Past, was inscribed. But while the hugely awarded Buchwald would rate higher for his
autograph, we still appreciated getting the Kinkster's, for that kinda' George Washington
currency.
We digress. It isn't often we think to pass books to our
grown children to read. In Leaving Home, the honesty will bowl you over and if
you've just not had the opportunity to become acquainted with the endearing Buchwald, it's
a perfect introduction. His hard years didn't harden him, but seasoned him with insight
and brilliant (and often humorous) devices for survival. His tales of Paris reveal tasty
tidbits about notables there, during that delectable era. Though he's called a satirist,
there's not much "bite" in him, but you wouldn't call what he does
"homespun" either. Let's just say his stuff (both Home & Paris)
are infinitely better reads than other Dollar Tree selected memoirs-- including those by
Art's old Post pal, Ben Bradlee
(A Good Life) and the uh, one by some guy named Dan Rather. Read Bradlee & Rather
if you've insomnia in these uncertain times. Even if you opened "dusty snail
mail" this afternoon, you'll have no problems nodding off reading those two. Yeah,
the Kinkster's Blast beats out Bradlee & Rather too, but you wouldn't call it
a real memoir-- it's more like a "flashback". Art & Kinky are uh, more
forthcoming, as far as we inquiring minds go. Well, just know that Dollar Tree books are
definitely worth a peek.
There are numerous political figure and
celebrity bios, coffee table books on royals, anything by or about anyone
connected with OJ or Clinton, and salacious tales on literary figures-- for eight bits.
One particularly "nice catch" was Doris Kearns Goodwin's memoir Wait Till Next Year, treasured albeit without autograph. Ever
progressively digressive: here's a warning-- DT's reading glasses are inferior to
"Big Lots Optometry"-- causing dizziness & headaches, during brief try-ons.
Your kids may enjoy trying them on, much like they enjoy spinning around in the backyard
until they fall down, in a drunken-like state.
Guess it's just an unfocused kinda' day-- point is, it's
hard not to be distracted no matter what time zone you're in. Buchwald's rough childhood
(his NY orphan-home experiences) WWII and USMC stories are "artfully" upbeat
despite predicaments, and the right mood & medicine, for right now. They ain't whiny.
They bring you to chuckle despite our 'intermittently' collapsible worlds; you'll of
course want to read Home before Paris.
Someday we'll look back on all this and see it
fuzzier than it is/was, though we can't imagine how. A good perspective is tough when
things are 'right now'. It's not only good to have a guy like Buchwald around, it's
absolutely necessary to get you through these days. Compare Art's 9/11 column (already gone to press) with his 9/18. Anyway, here's your opportunity to get to know one of the few famous Jewish Marines. Geez, do they
have a web site for everything or what?
Oh, and thank goodness for our appreciation of comedy, baseball, good
music and comfort food.
©2003 R K Puma
rk@rkpuma.com
HOME Menu
