I’ve loved Laurie Boris’ work since I read her novel – Drawing Breath – back in Indies Unlimited days. That book has remained my favourite until now. Boychik has the same immediacy, the same heart as Drawing Breath, and I absolutely loved it. This is the review I just left on amazon.com:
It’s hard to define what makes Boychik so wonderful because the story has it all – great characters, a great narrative and a sense of time and place like no other. For a couple of delightful days, It transported me to Prohibition New York and beguiled me with the sights and sounds and /smells/ of that era.
I don’t actually know what ‘lox’ is, but I love pickles so I could almost taste the food being made, and eaten, in the Deli. Most of all though, I experienced all of these almost alien sensations through the eyes of two young people on the cusp of growing up. And falling in love.
Yes, there is a thread of romance running through the story, but mostly it’s about love and tradition and old expectations clashing with the culture of a new country. In a strange sort of way, Boychik made me nostalgic for a time and place I’ve never known. It made me /care/.
In my not so humble opinion, Boychik really does have it all, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Read it. You’re welcome. 🙂
The only thing that makes me sad is that the story is over. But it’s a good sad. 🙂
cheers
Meeks
October 22nd, 2021 at 10:18 am
Oh, I’m verklempt. Thank you so much, Meeks! That you like the story means so much to me. Lox is basically salmon cured with salt and whatever else, most frequently served with bagels and cream cheese. I’m not a fan, myself, but I know a lot of people who can’t get enough.
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October 22nd, 2021 at 8:49 pm
Oh! what does verklempt mean???? And thank you for the explanation of lox. Is the salmon smoked by any chance?
I really, reaaaaaallly loved Boychik. 🙂
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October 22nd, 2021 at 3:11 am
You’ve certainly made it sound enticing, Meeka!
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October 22nd, 2021 at 8:05 am
Seriously. It’s good, very good. 🙂
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October 21st, 2021 at 4:47 pm
A lovely review, Meeks, Like Pete I love the “a good kind of sad” added to my list for my next order 🙂 x
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October 21st, 2021 at 9:15 pm
-hugs- You’ll love this one, Carol. 🙂
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October 21st, 2021 at 4:45 pm
You had me at the prohibition period, Meeks. I am soon to start researching that period of US history. Thanks for the recommendation.
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October 21st, 2021 at 9:16 pm
Oh! Boychik really makes it come alive. Serendipity. 🙂
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October 21st, 2021 at 1:31 pm
I like your description of “a good kind of sad.” Much better than the feeling of “I’ve invested far too much time in this book already, but I’m going to finish it.” Congrats to Laurie for writing such a memorable book.
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October 21st, 2021 at 9:17 pm
Hah! I used to be that person. Now, I’ll read at least a third of a book. If it really doesn’t do anything for me, I stop reading. Can’t tell you how liberating that was! Boychik had me from the first sentence. 🙂
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October 21st, 2021 at 12:19 pm
I’ve read several of Boris’ books, too. She’s a great story-teller with wonderful characters.
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October 21st, 2021 at 9:18 pm
Hi Yvonne. 🙂 Yes, she’s a fabulous writer and an excellent editor too.
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