Jerome Charyn

Ravage & Son is a dark and often painfully sad book. I requested it because my father was a Russian Jew who grew up on New York City’s lower East Side in the early 20th century and I wanted to read more about this. And also because Jerome Charyn is a gifted writer—I’ve read other books of his and am always impressed.

I will say that if I hadn’t won the book and had to write a review, I would have stopped early on because of animal cruelty. Consider this a trigger warning. Ordinarily, I would not have read past this but I’m glad I did, even though, as I said, there is much sadness in this book.

The book begins with Lionel Ravage, a landlord and businessman whose empty life is lit up when he falls in love with Manya. However, his is a blindly possessive and all-devouring love and he resents the son (Ben) Manya bears him because he cannot share his love.

However, he pours his resources into Ben—with the expectation that Ben will one day join his business. But Ben disappoints him by becoming a detective, whose search for a murderer, in partnership with Abraham Cahan, publisher of a progressive Jewish newspaper, brings him into confrontation with the corruption of the infamous Tammany Hall and the rest of New York City’s deeply corrupt government and judicial systems, as well as crime bosses. And it hits close to home as his father’s involvement in it all is revealed.

This is a story, with roots in historical reality, that is near and dear to me. Charyn creates this world of corruption, power, as well as the daily reality of the Jewish immigrants and their life in this time and play with compelling clarity.

There is no blinking in the face of despair, in what at times seems like a hopeless fight for justice and equity. And the end makes no compromises.

But the pay-off is a vivid re-creation of the old New York City (maybe not so different, sadly, than the one we know today) and of the people struggling to survive in it. A story of the fight for power and dominance and of the ordinary people working against all odds just to survive. As always, Charyn’s writing is razor-sharp with not a wasted word.

I’m grateful I kept reading. I am grateful to have received an advance copy from the publisher.… (more)

"Ravage & Sons" reveals what living during the beginning of the 20th century was like in the lower East Side of Manhattan among the borough immigrants. Corruption reigned among the police and pick pockets and con artists were everywhere! Even the courts were corrupt. It's the story of Ben Ravage, an orphan who is a detective for the Kehilla, a gang backed by influential people. His goal is to get rid of the criminals in the lower East Side of Manhattan.

Author Jerome Charyn's staccato style of writing and his fast-paced plot lend themselves to this type of story. Many of the Lower East Side criminals are dynamic, clever characters who are wildly violent. You will enjoy this unusually told
tale with its crazy characters and wild plot! Charyn uses many references to Abraham Cahan who was the editor of the Jewish Forward newspaper at the time. Sprinkled throughout the book are references to other colorful personalities of the times. I think it's helpful for readers to have some previous knowledge of New York history and how the variety of its diverse population that was new to America played a significant role in bringing a brand new flavor to the streets of Manhattan. Watching how the main character Ben struggles during his incredibly challenging mission is a delightful and daring eye opener!
Adding a personal note, both of my grandparents lived on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and I visited often, getting to know the area. Of course this was in the 1950's when so much of what Charyn refers to in the book had already disappeared. However, the area was always bustling with a mix of many generations of immigrants. A large population came from those originally brave enough to arrive here without much in the way of possessions and seek their fortunes. The most impressive thing about this area was its diversity of people devoted to supporting and participating in the American way of life and willing to fight for freedom while embracing it!… (more)