Sidney Offit

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Memoir of the Bookie's Son and am surprised to find it only had a 3 star average rating here and no reviews. Sidney Offit, I think, wrote an endearing book about his youth, his family, and his father's choice of occupation. I would have liked for the book to be longer, but it was quite satisfying as it is.

This is a cute little story about what happens when an absentminded genius is chosen by his classmates to run for school president. Interesting references are made to Greek gods and philosophers, and Homer brings a little 'truth and justice' to his friends.
I feel like if I had read this when I was much younger, I would have enjoyed it more. Also, the author has managed to print some quotations in the original Greek characters and doesn't always translate them.
All in all, though, an show more enjoyable story for ages 8-13, that though written in 1966, would be understood and enjoyed by more modern readers. show less

What a great book, my only regret is that it wasn't longer (it's only 165 pages). Sidney Offit made me wish I could have known his father, Bucky. Not because he was a bookie, but because he had a great outlook on life (It don't owe me nothing) and was generous to those down on their luck.