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Welcome to the latest installment of Brooklyn Historical Society STAFF PICKS, a fun way to explore our awesome gift shop! The BHS Gift Shop features many items crafted right here in Brooklyn, as well as an array of books on Brooklyn and New York City suitable for the whole family. Once a month we feature a staff member and their favorite item from our gift shop because, let’s face it, who better than our Brooklyn-lovin’ staff to give great gift ideas?
This month we chat with BHS Processing Archivist John Zarrillo, whose favorite book is Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem. He recommends this book to anyone who enjoys detective fiction, quirky characters and/or 1980’s/90s Brooklyn.
“I would say that if you’re into classic detective or crime movies of the 1930s and 40s, this is a book you’ll enjoy. Also, the main character suffers from Tourette's syndrome, so it’s a nice change of pace for the protagonist of the story to struggle with his disability, all while trying to solve the case.” - John
What is the last book you read? Running with the Buffaloes by Chris Lear, which is about an elite college cross country program.
Any favorite hobbies? Running and cooking.
Why Motherless Brooklyn? I’m a fan of the author's work.
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Motherless Brooklyn is a detective novel with a twist. It follows the life of Lionel Essrog, an orphan with Tourette's syndrome who gets adopted, along with three other boys, by Frank Minna, a part-time business man and mobster who treats Lionel and the boys like sons of his own. Things take a drastic turn when Frank is suddenly stabbed to death and one of Lionel’s foster brothers lands in jail. Without Frank, Lionel is left to figure out who killed his adoptive father and what will happen to his future. This charismatic novel is packed with emotions, drama, and history, and will surely keep you turning the pages. The recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction in 1999, Motherless Brooklyn is a contemporary classic in the world of Brooklyn literature.
Don’t forget to give Motherless Brooklyn ($16%2Btax) a home by purchasing a copy at the Brooklyn Historical Society Gift Shop. We're open Monday through Sunday from 12pm to 5pm!
This month we chat with BHS Processing Archivist John Zarrillo, whose favorite book is Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem. He recommends this book to anyone who enjoys detective fiction, quirky characters and/or 1980’s/90s Brooklyn.
“I would say that if you’re into classic detective or crime movies of the 1930s and 40s, this is a book you’ll enjoy. Also, the main character suffers from Tourette's syndrome, so it’s a nice change of pace for the protagonist of the story to struggle with his disability, all while trying to solve the case.” - John
What is the last book you read? Running with the Buffaloes by Chris Lear, which is about an elite college cross country program.
Any favorite hobbies? Running and cooking.
Why Motherless Brooklyn? I’m a fan of the author's work.
***********
Motherless Brooklyn is a detective novel with a twist. It follows the life of Lionel Essrog, an orphan with Tourette's syndrome who gets adopted, along with three other boys, by Frank Minna, a part-time business man and mobster who treats Lionel and the boys like sons of his own. Things take a drastic turn when Frank is suddenly stabbed to death and one of Lionel’s foster brothers lands in jail. Without Frank, Lionel is left to figure out who killed his adoptive father and what will happen to his future. This charismatic novel is packed with emotions, drama, and history, and will surely keep you turning the pages. The recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction in 1999, Motherless Brooklyn is a contemporary classic in the world of Brooklyn literature.
Don’t forget to give Motherless Brooklyn ($16%2Btax) a home by purchasing a copy at the Brooklyn Historical Society Gift Shop. We're open Monday through Sunday from 12pm to 5pm!
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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