Brooklyn Bridge

Narrated by Fred Berman. A delightful story about the day-to-day life of a Jewish Russian immigrant family living in Brooklyn. Joseph, the older son, knows his family is extremely lucky to have succeeded in the teddy bear business but with so much work put into it, all he dreams of is taking a break and enjoying a day at Coney Island. Until then, the family experiences the ups and downs of life: sister Emily gets to establish a home lending library; the baby develops pneumonia; a matriarch aunt dies. Interludes between chapters describe a society of rejected and homeless kids living under the Brooklyn Bridge. Narrator Berman reads in a Jewish New York City accent that brings out the spirit of this historical novel. ( )

Strange story. The teddy bear angle makes it different. Good family feelings but then the children under the bridge... ( )

another awesome book by Hesse, great voice I was transported back in time ( )

Joseph's wish is to go to Coney Island. At first it was a case of money but then as the family's business grows with the popular Teddy Bears mama designed and she and papa are producing there is never time for anything fun like that. The only time the family takes a time off is for a funeral. Life and frustrations of city life in the early 1900's is revealed as 14 year-old Joseph narrates, family incidences and his own emotional turmoil. An underlying paralle story told between chapters related to the Brooklyn Bridge and who is living under it adds mystery and intrigue. Good character development. Each character seems to have have his her own story line. Sister Emily an avid reader, opens a home library in the store front window. There is love story going on with an uncle. The mother and father's relationship is endearing. Joseph and his sister and their care for the little brother stand in contrast to the poor children living under the bridge. This a remarkable story deserves a second reading and is worthy of much discussion. ( )