The Ballad of West Tenth Street
by
I was curious to read a book that takes me in the streets of New York. I keep seeing these enviable pics of NY in IG and it's a place of my dreams - literally, without being cheesy. And I'm also watching Suits currently which is only adding to my agony. Oh all those well dressed people walking down the chic streets!
So though I liked the New Yorky casual tone of the book I felt Kernan could have brought out the New Yorky zing too. In the characters and in the absent plot I didn't see much in it. It could have been a story set anywhere. But when you set it in such an enigmatic place (yeah its a personal opinion but still its NY!) there needs to be something holding you to the book.
A West Village house is where the Hollanders live - Sadie, a modern mom, a widow of a singing star has her teens Hamish and Deen with her and her twenty something Gretchen is in a rehab place because she tends to harm herself. Then there is a Colonel's Guatemalan who comes to stay next door to them and his charming housekeeper Ellie who bring the cheer on the story. Add a few more wonderful characters - the raggedy Captain Meat, the plumber guy and Mrs. D and of course Uncle Brian (uncle to the children) who is hopelessly in love with Sadie.
The story of all of these people weaves through the streets of NY and their past and their thoughts are drawn out. Its a very feel-good, cozy novel. Though I do wish Kernan had brought out more of Sadie and Brian.
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