Tom Barbash

I'd originally come upon this book from a list entitled "The Most Depressing Modern Fiction" or something to that effect, and being a downbeat guy with a mild obsession with the cynical and the depressive in modernity, I picked it up.

Now, it's a solid read. Barbash tells his stories well and the depressive dread is skillfully delineated. But he does have a few weaknesses, namely his propensity for ending his stories on the symbolic and the metaphorical. These aren't bad ways to end a story show more per se, symbolism can be shattering and deeply affecting, but only when used appropriately. There were a handful of times when Barbash would end a story with a piece of symbolism that left me saying "Well, that was nice, but what the hell does it have to do with anything other than reading and sounding nice and borderline deep?"

But overall it's a very good collection of short stories with a few real standouts of artistry that all describe adroitly the everyday sadness, miseries, and mild to major traumas that weigh us down but might define us just as much as anything else. It's not as horribly depressing as I was led to believe but there's a skill apparent here and I very much look forward to reading more of Barbash's creative output. show less

Buddy Winter’s fall from grace as the popular and ebullient late-night talk show host has left him and his family floundering in The Dakota Winters by Tom Barbash. The novel follows Buddy’s middle son and right-hand man, Anton, as he returns from a year in the Peace Corp with malaria, and tries to get Buddy--and himself--back in the game. The novel reads as a white-washed homage to New York City circa 1980--which for me was not a bad thing. I enjoyed Anton’s exploits, reading about show more famous people, and the sometimes trite family drama that Barbash manages to soften with humor. The pop culture references and name drops from the time are effusive--I loved it, but it may be too much for some readers. The Dakota Winters isn’t going to change your life, but it is a fun and easy read, especially for those who like New York City and the early 1980s. show less

I adore Tom Barbash's short stories ("Stay Up With Me" is a must read...) and wanted to like the novel a bit more than I did. Yes, he evokes a particular time and place (1979-80 New York City) and readers who lived through that era seem to say he gets it right. I wonder whether younger readers, who don't remember all the many, many cultural references will enjoy the book as much as older readers. I very much enjoyed 'meeting' the Winters family, especially witty, damaged, Buddy and I show more appreciated the father/son dynamics that are seen in Anton and Buddy, as well as John Lennon's relationships with his own father and two sons. But I wearied of the name dropping and wonder whether this novel is an instance of a writer doing so much research and becoming so enamored with what he found that he tried to include it all rather than paring back. show less

I was just little over a year old when John Lennon was killed, and writing this review is it just days after the 38 anniversary of his death. And, this story was extra poignant when you think about how much John Lennon had left to give when his life was cut short. This is a fictional story, but Tom Barbash writes in a way that makes it all feel real. Like Anton, his father Buddy and the rest of the family really existed. Cudos to Barbash to make fictional characters come to life.

I loved show more reading a story set in New York 79/80. I'm too young to remember those years, but nevertheless, it made me nostalgic. And, letting Dakota, one of the most iconic buildings in the city be the central point was a great move. I loved getting to know Anton and Buddy. To follow them as Anton tries to help his father return to the limelight as well as trying to find his own place outside his father's shadow. There is so much going on the world, the Olympics, Ted Kennedy's campaign. I really, really loved Joan Kennedy part in this story. As the saying goes, "behind every successful man there's a woman". And, Joan really showed in this story how to rise above Ted's infidelities. Not to mention standing by Ted, despite the Chappaquiddick incident that in the end ruined his political ambitions.

There is so much going in this book. I first gave the book four stars. However, when I started to write this review did I start to think about how much I enjoyed this story. And, how sad I was to have to say goodbye to Anton and the rest of the characters at the end of the book. So, I raised the rating to five stars. I warmly recommend this book!

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! show less