Their Pride and Joy

by Paul Buttenwieser

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385295677
• ISBN13: 9780385295673
• Release Date: August 1987
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 442 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Marjorie Morningstar Goes Home

If you've enjoyed Stephen Birmingham's books you'll love this slice-of-life novel. Buttenweiser could be called the Louis Auchincloss of "Our Crowd."Peggy and Alan Gutheim have it all -- a loving if somewhat eccentric family, a comfortable life, good health. Daughter Joan, in her senior year at Bennington, suddenly falls victim to fainting spells. She is brought home for testing and some R & R. Peggy, who's accustomed to running the lives of her children and everyone else in sight, decides that Joan must have a project. So Joan becomes involved in working with handicapped children and has an affair with another worker (Kevin). She gets engaged to a childhood friend (Johnny). But Joan's illness is more serious than anyone has thought.This is not one of my favorite books, but it is entertaining. Characters are well-developed and the story moves along quite nicely. As I read, I was reminded of MARJORIE MORNINGSTAR --without the dramatic background of the theater and the immense talent of Herman Wouk.

Brilliantly crafted family drama set in Manhattan of 1960

This is a novel I have read over and over; each time finding a unique turn of phrase or an original thought I had missed earlier. The characters are so keenly described you know them very well as the book draws to its sad conclusion. The subtle wit and broader humor contained in almost every chapter keeps you turning the pages hour after hour.The story centers around a troubled young college girl who is the product of a controlling mother and easy going Dad whose love for his children outweighs his ability to stand up to his wife. Also in this highly succesful upper class Jewish family are two sons the youngest of whom is an aspiring concert pianist to everyone's pleasure and his dismay, a philanthropic Grandmother and other characters both lovable and eccentric. Taking place from November to New Years Eve, there is a great deal of action in this short period of time. Here is an author who really knows and loves New York City and is able to recreate the atmosphere of New York in the 60s with perfectly chosen words and exquisite phrases.