Rich Boy

Poor Boy, Rich Boy

On one level, this novel is an entertaining story of a smart, handsome Jewish boy from a poor area of Philadelphia who becomes successful despite his odds. On a more significant level, this is a study of the myriad of forces affecting one's plight to self-acceptance or self-indulgence.

I was expecting stereotypes in this novel as the prodigal son; Robert Vishniak elevated himself to become part of the "right" group where money and a cloaked Jewish identity could flourish. The lack of typecasting set Ms. Pomerantz's characters and thus her plot apart from a soap opera. Robert was the handsome, smart son but he did not have a typical sacrificial Jewish mother who fawned over him. Instead, Stacia was distant and obsessed with money, she pounded away at both her sons about money and the reader felt the family was always a few days away from destitution. Hardship was the name of the game and Robert had to overcome incredulous obstacles to pivot into a position to succeed. He had looks and brains but no one really helped him, this made the story all the more realistic. He was intent on making it on his own and the author's repeated episodes of his boring, but sometimes dangerous, cab driving jobs created a feeling of insolvency and reality.

In addition to Robert's mother, his family represented the blue collar Jewish family who resented the ones who were rich and kept themselves emotionally in a locked world. It seemed that if they showed any real emotion, all their strength for survival would be zapped into eternity.

Pomerantz explores Robert's ascent to success with a directed theme on the Gentile rich with their names of Cates, Trace and Mignonne to the rich Jewish college kids whose parents could afford to send them to college but rebelled against their lifestyle while, with no hesitation readily accepting tuition and spending money. However, the most poignant study was Robert's encounter with women. Robert, at a young age, prevailed upon his good looks to capture women. He was a pro at seducing women but I never felt he was cruel. He used his brains and looks to overcome his money-deprived background.

His first true love Gwendolyn, whom he met while an undergrad, was ferocious in its passion and loyalty. Pomerantz's exploration of this relationship and her meticulous evaluation of mental illness and despair is the best I've read. Robert's reactions to Gwendolyn and all that came after made him a determined Rich Boy. Delving into Robert's assent is fascinating and I highly recommend this book.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

It was a total pleasure to read.

Robert Vishniak, the main protagonist, was born after WW11 in a lower middle-class Jewish family and raised in Philadelphia. His parents raised him and his younger brother, Barry, with a strong hand and did without to guide the boys in the upward direction in all ways. They were raised to be hard workers and hard thinkers. Robert manages to get into a Boston college in the mid-sixties, where he becomes fast friends with his very wealthy roommate, Tracey. He experiences people who come from great wealth of "old money" and lives through wonderful adventures and developes many long lasting relationships. The latter years of the 1960's for Robert deal with the Vietnam War and his draft status. Robert strikes up a relationship with a wealthy young woman, falls in love, and is devastated when the romance ends. He spends too many years next running away from memories. He finally realizes, in his late 20's, that the world is passing him by and that he needs to jump back into society and live. He enters NYU Law School and chooses real-estate law as his profession. This story is gripping, compelling and believable and written with dry humor and great informed intelligence. It was a total pleasure to read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

just so so

The book may be entertaining, if the author had bothered to do some fact checking. There were too many inaccuracies regarding the neighborhood. Plus having grown up in that time and (exact) place I found the attitude of Robert's mother toward him almost preposterous.

Rich

The story is well-written, but these days the search for truth seems to require some pretty dour story-telling. This story rises or falls on its main character, Robert Vishniak. The author has given him many likable attributes, but like most men, his faults begin at the zipper and go from there. When Robert is at his worst, the story sags, as the reader wants to like him, but the author isn't having it, at least until she wants to pick the story up some, then he becomes likable again. In the end, the book is a commentary on much of life today, and it succeeds at that, but life today isn't all that cheerful.

Loved it.

A great read.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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