Beverly Gologorsky

I received this book as part of my Haymarket Book Club subscription. I was excited by the description but didn't end up liking the book as much as I had hoped. I just never got into the story mainly because I found the characters and dialogue really unrealistic and not believable. The story was focused on two heterosexual couples and I found the men especially unrealistic. I just have never heard any men have discussions like these two characters had. When the dialogue doesn't match the characters, I find it very distracting. Not only was this an issue but the characters weren't developed very well and I was uncertain who they were.

Themes of this book include family, relationships, trust, poverty, work insecurity, and communication.… (mere)

This is an author who needs to be heard and read. Stop Here is the not-so-simple story of the employees of Murray's Diner in the North Fork of Long Island, NY. This is "Nickled and Dimed" come to life, complete with misery and hope and war and poverty in all its ramifications. For my friends who say, "Oh but it's so depressing", the lives of Shelley, Murray, Dina, Mila, Ava, Rosalyn and their children and spouses are tough and glorious. Each chapter focuses on one character but encompasses them all. A must read, especially for the pungent dialogue and the vividly realistic interior thoughts.… (mere)