The Victim Book

This is a book about one man coming to terms with himself'about who he is, has been and how he wants to be in the future. It is a self-reckoning.

The strength of the novel lies in its ability to capture the man's inner turmoil. He lacks confidence, but it is in his lack of self-confidence that he becomes human and very real to the reader.

Asa Leventhal is left alone in NYC; his wife has gone to help her mother move from one house to another. It is summer. It is hot, and the city is a-sizzle. Asa depends on his wife and he misses her. His sister-in-law, Elena, calls. She is in need of help; Max, her husband and Asa's brother, is off working in Texas and Max and Elena's youngest son has become very, very ill. Then, by chance, Asa meets up with Kirby Albee, a person he knew from years before. He claims that Asa owes him, and owes him big; he claims that Asa had caused him to lose his job. To what extent are you your brother's keeper? How should one prioritize your own needs, your family's needs and those of your friends? This is what Asa thinks about and this is what readers think about too. The difference is that we are on the outside, and so we are more objective. The book shows us what is going on in Asa's head, and it does it remarkably well.

Who is the victim of the story? This you will think about.

The book captures hot summer nights in NYC. It captures ordinary Jewish men living in the city after the war'what they do and say to each other. All of this is captured wonderfully. The book was published in 1947. It captures the way things were back then for such people.

I like the ending too.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Joe Barrett. His narration is excellent. Possibly, his narration even improves the story; he makes what is said feel so authentic. He uses different tones for Asa and Kirby. You hear immediately who is talking. 5 stars for his performance.

**************

The Victim 4 stars
Herzog 4 stars
Dangling Man 3 stars
Seize the Day 3 stars
The Adventures of Augie March 2 stars

More Die of Heartbreak TBR
The Actual TBR
Ravelstein TBR