South of Main Street

By Robert Gately

Book Overview

Recently widowed, Henry Wolff is an emotionally challenged father who is being sued by his daughter, Sharon, for financial control of the estate. He must prove that he fits in - not an easy thing to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1614334765
• ISBN13: 9781614334767
• Release Date: October 2016
• Publisher: Breely Crush Publishing
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Henry's world

Henry Wolff is many things to many people. To the world he's a Vietnam War veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress disorder. To the people of Coalsville, PA he's a harmless but crazy eccentric who recently lost his wife, and whose infant son died due to crib death shortly after Henry returned from the war. To his adult daughters he's an embarrassment, and out of touch with reality, and his younger daughter believes that he's unable to manage his own affairs. Henry is a soft touch to vagrants and drug addicts, a fountain of trivia, and a friend to the underdog, particularly children. The book begins shortly after the death of his wife, and although this first part rambles a little and is repetitive in description, it sets the stage perfectly for the last chapters, which are among the most memorable I have read for a long time. Henry's way of seeing the world in a most simplistic way touches the lives of the twelve people closest to him, bringing out the best in each of them, and proving that there's good in everyone if you take the time to look for it. Even Henry and his family have a skeleton in the closet, and when the dark and terrible secret finally comes out, he feels relieved and free at last. The author skillfully weaves the character of his leading man, and has the reader guessing whether we're dealing with a crazy man, a simpleton or a visionary until the final chapters. A book about human nature with a touching ending that somehow avoids being maudlin. Rated: 4.5 stars Amanda Richards, September 2, 2006

Restoration: The Seers Among Us

SOUTH OF MAIN STREET is an exceptionally fine first novel. Usually this reviewer reserves the 5 start category for brilliant works by distinguished authors, but this novel from a new voice is so fresh and satisfying that it commands its own niche in the review arena. Robert Gately not only writes well, he also knows how to build a story line from disparate elements and make them all meld to fit the arc of his theme. He is an author to watch. In the small town of Coalsville, PA there has traditionally been a right side and wrong side of the tracks - the tracks being Main Street: those living on the well-to-do North side live apart from the poor or disenfranchised people who struggle on the South side of Main Street. The course of this story takes place in a relatively short period of time around the Christmas holiday. We slowly meet Henry Wolff who seems perhaps a bit odd but sweet, a man who behaves in almost childlike manners but who obviously has serious conflicts. The event facing Henry after his wife's death, ending what has been a long and loving relationship with a woman who deeply loved him despite his idiosyncrasies, is her wake and her funeral. By gradually introducing a spectrum of characters - Henry's dissimilar daughters lawyer Robin and debt collector Sharon, Dixie Swanson who is a junkie on the streets with her abusive supplier Jason, Dixie's mother Mrs Swanson who is a waitress and long suffering in support of her estranged daughter, street people Wheezy and Joe who live under the bridge, Danny Petzinger who since is mother abandoned him is living in stridency with his abusive alcoholic father, Asa Adler the pharmacist and his grumbling partner Kruchuk, Judge Brady - we learn that Henry returned from the Vietnam war, after being held as prisoner of war and receiving a medal for his valor, and is in a state of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. And yet that is not the only dark secret that shapes his life in the town. All of these factors surround Henry's response to the public niceties of funerals and find people seeing his detached behavior inappropriate. After his wife's funeral his daughters quibble over Henry's mental capacity to live alone, much less manage the inheritance from his wife. Henry lives in the moment, generous in his love for children and for the unfortunate, ready to give aid to those in need without thought, rescuing those who are abused. Though the town regards Henry as 'retarded' and fears his presence among children, teaching them fantasies and the joy of living, providing the mainstay of love and support they sorely need, they also sense the positive impact Henry has on people. His daughter's differences result in Henry being called before a judge to evaluate his mental state and at this hearing each of the fortunate people to whom he has given succor appear to speak for him. The results of the hearing and the aftermath provide the end of the story. Gately draws his characters so keenly that they a

I can't even begin to describe how wonderful a novel this is

If all you want out of a novel is to be entertained and to quickly forget what you've read as soon as you turn the last page, South of Main Street is not for you. This remarkable story stays with you and stirs your emotions whenever you reflect upon it. It's a bittersweet tale that can make you smile through your tears - there is a level of tragedy here, but there is also a sense of childlike joy and great beauty. You won't want the book to end, but you'll be powerless to put it down - I stayed up to 3 AM finishing it. Henry Wolff is an amazing character. Henry is just different - eccentric to some, retarded or stupid to others. He's the kind of man who ties a rope to a tree so that he can swing like Tarzan from his roof to his mailbox, stops to let snowflakes melt on his tongue, plays with local kids as if he were still a child himself, and always does what he thinks is right - this includes giving money to the homeless and a local addict who needs to pay off her supplier. We meet Henry in the wake of his wife's death; he mourns his great loss in his own way. His unusual activities only spur his wayward daughter on in her claim that he is incapable of handling his own finances. Henry's wife inherited a large estate, and Sharon wants her part of the money before Henry can give it all away to the unfortunate. Robin, Henry's other daughter, is exasperated over the situation, especially because Henry doesn't always seem to fully grasp the situation. Henry does see a reason for change, though, and tries to prove that he is perfectly capable of taking care of himself. There are reasons for Henry's eccentric behavior. We learn that he was never the same after he returned from Vietnam, and the loss of a son to crib death also affected him greatly - but there is also a family secret we are not privy to (although it's not hard to guess). The only thing that bothers Henry about his daughter taking him to court is the fear that the secret will be revealed. Still, Henry cares more about others than himself - especially his young neighbor, who is going through hard times at home, and Dixie, a young drug user whom everyone else wants nothing to do with. I really can't even begin to describe Henry's remarkable nature or the magical effect he has on others - even though they may not recognize his effect on them at the time. Even when people do things that could hurt him, Henry still shows them unconditional love. If you're of a sensitive nature, you may want to keep some Kleenex handy as you read because several moments can certainly bring tears to your eyes. South of Main Street is one of the most touching novels I've ever read, and Henry is as beloved a character as you're ever likely to meet. Despite the elements of tragedy worked into the story, South of Main Street is a novel you will cherish. Its life-affirming message will inspire you and renew your faith in humanity as you see how one man - even one as eccentric as Henry - can ma

You've Got to Read This Book!

This is a wonderfully warm and funny book that reinforced my faith in people. Not only does the brisk-moving storyline keep you turning the pages, but the characters become close friends, especially Henry. My husband and I traded "Henryisms" and chuckled over his antics for weeks after reading the book. This is one of those rare books that is easy to read, yet stays with you long after the book has been put back on the shelf. Can you tell I loved this book? Enjoy.

Outstanding! Inspirational!

This was such a "feel good" book, I didn't want it to end. It renewed my faith in human kindness and unconditional love. It touched me on so many emotional levels. There is rarely a book that my entire family (including 2 teenagers) can enjoy and we all loved it! It's funny, heartfelt, and lifts your spirit. This book reminded me of how one persons' simple acts of kindness touch so many! This story makes you want to be a better person.