Luncheonette: A Memoir

by Steven Sorrentino

Book Overview

When his father contracted a sudden illness that left him paralyzed, Steven Sorrentino stowed away his dreams of Broadway stardom and returned home to West Long Branch, New Jersey, to help his family... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060728922
• ISBN13: 9780060728922
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: William Morrow
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 2.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

A Tasty Treat from LUNCHEONETTE

Sorrentino welcomes us to the inner workings of his quirky, funny, dark and sometimes suicidal soul through the prism of his family's business, "Clint's Corner," a luncheonette. As a young, hopeful actor pursuing his career in the Big City, Sorrentino puts his own dreams on hold when on Christmas Eve the twenty-three year old narrator watches helplessly as his father, Clint, is paralyzed with a rare neurological illness. Trying to play the part of the "Good Son," Sorrentino chronicles his adventures and hubris in trying save his father and his father's business when ultimately Clint, unknowingly, saves his son from destroying himself. Told with a jaunty, sardonic and intelligent wit and filled with colorful unforgettable (but infinitely recognizable) characters, Sorrentino's debut memoir is a must read for all of us: sons, fathers and children who have struggled to find their own identity in the face of tragedy ... like growing up.

Home is where your Luncheonette is...

Luncheonette: A Memoir, connects us to our past, makes us notice our present, and gives us hope for our future. Steven Sorrentino reminds us that even though life sometimes forgets to put the cheese on our porkroll, egg and cheese sandwhich, we should eat it anyway. His words are real and written from the heart. His characters intense, funny and are sitting right next to you at the lunch counter. Sorrentino takes you back home and shows you what really matters in life. A must read.

Triumph of the spirit and a pork-roll-egg-and-cheese

Luncheonette's universal appeal stems out of its focus on family. Although often scathingly honest, the book's message of perseverance and its embrace of the idea that "everything happens for a reason" illuminate the lessons and laughter that weave their way into times of hardship. "Clint's" story is a gift to all of us, and I thank Mr. Sorrentino for sharing him with us. His story reminds us that even though the events in our lives may not go as planned, sometimes our greatest triumphs come out of our darkest moments. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a family, and can relate to being young and feeling like the world might be passing you by...

Luncheonette is DELICIOUS!

I really enjoyed Luncheonette! It's effortlessly funny in a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction way. I prefer reading non-fiction and love to read memoirs. Luncheonette has become one of my favorites. Sorrentino is a talented writer who not only takes beautiful risks, but never loses sight of what matters most. It's hard to believe that this is his first book! Luncheonette has heart, soul and Dolores! Who could ask for anything more?

Enriching and Wonderful

This book is not only hysterically funny in an off beat way, it is so much more with quirky characters, a poignant story, overwhelming personal struggle, moral messages beyond description, and a picture of small towm America, warts and all, at it's best. I read this book, obviously a labor of love, as a tribute to a father, testimony to the real meaning of family. Further, it is the harsh reality that all of us, at some time or other must commit ourselves, face mortality, and do the right thing regardless of self. It also lets us know that when some doors are closed, painful as that may be, others seem to open leading us to avenues in our lives that otherwise never would have been traveled. This book is about fathers and sons, about commitment to family, and of course about "keeping the faith" with a remarkable sense of humor. I read this book slowly so that it wouldn't end to quickly. This book is not to be missed.