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Loading... 2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas (edition 2014)by Marie-Helene Bertino
Work Information2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino
   Books Read in 2015 (263) No current Talk conversations about this book.  hmonkeyreads | Jan 25, 2024 |    ) dinahmine | Dec 28, 2023 | After bravely facing down mean-spirited classmates and rejection at school, Madeleine doggedly searches for Philadelphia's legendary jazz club The Cat's Pajamas, where she's determined to make her on-stage debut. On the same day, her fifth-grade teacher, Sarina Greene, who's just moved back to Philly after a divorce, is nervously looking forward to a dinner party that will reunite her with an old high school crush, afraid to hope that sparks might fly again. And across town at The Cat's Pajamas, club owner Lorca discovers that his beloved haunt may have to close forever, unless someone can find a way to quickly raise the $30,000 that would save it. Together, Madeleine, Sarina, and Lorca will discover life's endless possibilities over the course of one magical night. (  ) LynneQuan | Aug 16, 2023 | ) PatLibrary123 | Aug 9, 2022 | What I did enjoy was how Bertino was able to connect the many characters together. Not that they were particularly like-able, the three major characters were unconventional and had their own personal stories happening within the pages. You've got a sad but sassy nine year old girl who smokes, sings and curses; a too-nice teacher who has a vulnerable heart and a disheveled bar owner who is on the brink of losing it all. How these characters weave in out out of each other's lives and the interactions with the minor characters on a Christmas Eve, Eve makes for a promising story. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy and quick read. The author's style is fun and quirky, definitely worth experiencing. I received this book from Blogging for Books to review. (  ) nicholesbooknook | May 24, 2022 |
 One of the crucial events of “2 A.M. at the Cat’s Pajamas” involves singing, and this seems highly appropriate. After all, one of the most basic tasks facing any writer is making the words you’ve written work together; we say this is making them sing, a cliche, but in the case of Marie-Helene Bertino’s novel, the term fits. The story of a lonely 9-year-old girl’s quest to perform at a Philadelphia jazz club on Christmas Eve rolls along much like a piece of music — different story lines wind and unwind like musical themes, and these stories are all threaded together with a consistently energized brio like one of the tunes played at the club giving the book its title. Each sentence, as well, is composed with a poetic ear; no line is wasted. That’s rare. Nine-year-old Madeline Altimari stars in this tale of French-braided lives that are snarled inside-out one eventful Christmas Eve Eve. Madeline lives in a roach-infested apartment in Philadelphia with her dad, the former proprietor of a cheese shop before his wife’s death. Though Mr. Altimari was once a loving husband and father, his grief keeps him in bed, where he’s surrounded by old jazz books (his wife was a chanteuse) and pain pills. Now, motherless Madeline is the ward of Philly’s Fishtown neighborhood, where she’s fed by Mrs. Santiago, cafe-owner and recent-widower; nuzzled and licked by irascible pup Pedro; coiffed by the gum-smacking Vince Sherry; and heartlessly expelled by Principal Randles. And in the great tradition of nurturing educators like Roald Dahl’s Miss Honey, Madeline is understood by her teacher, Sarina Greene. With Madeline, Sarina is not afraid to cross boundaries,in the interest of protecting Madeline.  Fifth-grader Madeleine Altimari is pretty much raising herself; her father has retreated into his bedroom in a drug-induced stupor to numb his grief since the death of Madeleine’s mother—a strip-club dancer and free spirit beloved by all who knew her. Madeleine is lonely, precocious and sassy, her tough exterior hiding her own heartache. Mrs. Santiago, the warmhearted widow who runs the neighborhood cafe, provides breakfast, lunch and grandmotherly affection, but Madeleine has no friends at her Catholic elementary school. Her solace is singing—she’s a natural who yearns to be a jazz singer. Madeleine’s day begins badly when Principal Randles, who resented Madeleine’s mother even when they were kids, first deprives Madeleine of a solo at the school’s morning Mass and later unfairly expels her. Belongs to Publisher SeriesAwardsDistinctions
"Madeleine Altimari is a smart-mouthed, rebellious nine-year-old who also happens to be an aspiring jazz singer. Still mourning the recent death of her mother, and caring for her grief-stricken father, she doesn't realize that on the eve of Christmas Eve she is about to have the most extraordinary day--and night--of her life. After bravely facing down mean-spirited classmates and rejection at school, Madeleine doggedly searches for Philadelphia's legendary jazz club The Cat's Pajamas, where she's determined to make her on-stage debut. On the same day, her fifth grade teacher Sarina Greene, who's just moved back to Philly after a divorce, is nervously looking forward to a dinner party that will reunite her with an old high school crush, afraid to hope that sparks might fly again. And across town at The Cat's Pajamas, club owner Lorca discovers that his beloved haunt may have to close forever, unless someone can find a way to quickly raise the $30,000 that would save it. As these three lost souls search for love, music and hope on the snow-covered streets of Philadelphia, together they will discover life's endless possibilities over the course of one magical night. A vivacious, charming and moving debut, 2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas will capture your heart and have you laughing out loud" -- No library descriptions found. |
LibraryThing Early Reviewers AlumMarie-Helene Bertino's book 2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas was available from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.  Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.6Literature English (North America) American fiction 21st CenturyLC ClassificationRatingAverage: (3.53)
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3
I found some parts wonderful and others tremendously confusing. The whole book felt uncomfortably out of rhythm to me and I really have no idea at all what happened in the final chapter. It is late right now and I am tired so I hope to give the end a reread in the morning when the cobwebs have cleared.
There is much to like about Bertino's writing and I look forward to reading her short story collection but this novel left me mostly unsatisfied.
Update: It's morning and I can't stop thinking about this book. I still don't get the ending. I need to search the text to see if I missed an important early reference to "Charlie" or if that's just another unexpected curve ball. I'm so confused about the principal and whatever was going on with her at the club and the winter assembly.
I'm frustrated because I liked a good chunk of this book - probably 3/4 of it -- but the parts I don't like, I REALLY don't like.
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