G1156 Book review of David Lazar by Robert Kalich
Author: Robert Kalich
ISBN: 9781933480497
Publisher: Bunim and Bannigan
Type of book: Gambling, New York, money, wealth, 1960s? To modern times, friendships, relationships, wealth, sports gambling, booking, addiction, favors
Year it was published: 2019
Summary:
Welcome to the world of David Lazar, the world of doubt and self-doubt, where life is lived as a novel and a novel is truer than life.
At twilight of one’s life, mortality is no longer an abstract notion. David Lazar, now in his eighties, feels the need to piece together the arc of his life. Lazar’s thoughts drift from his happy childhood on Manhattan’s Upper West Side—his mother a child psychologist, his father a celebrated cantor—to his many friends and the women he had loved and lost, until he met Elizabeth Dunn, his soulmate and the mother of his teenage son. He has a decision to make…
For many years, he lived two lives and he still harbours a deep secret. Haunted by his past, troubled by the indignities of aging, Lazar feels a deep need to redeem himself. Did he sear his soul in order to make millions? Is there any redemption for wealth based on corruption and, sometimes, violent crime? If he is completely honest, does he risk losing what he cherishes the most: the love and respect of his wife and his only son?
The stakes are high as Lazar finishes his confession, exposing his personal demons, knowing that Elizabeth will soon discover the man he once was. And yet the wisdom of age pushes him on this perilous journey into his own soul, the soul of a gifted but flawed man who might lose much more than he’s ever won.
Many colourful and eccentric characters populate the novel: Lazar’s childhood friends, business mentors, wealthy associates, mafia figures, celebrities, and sports stars. But there is another character in the book, almost as important as Lazar himself – the Big Apple. New York City happenings, politics, culture, and locales from the 1950s up to the present day come alive in the novel because that unique and fascinating city is his cradle and his cauldron.
Blurring the lines between memoir and fiction, Robert Kalich narrates the story of a man who bears much resemblance to the author himself. But Kalich the Novelist defeats narcissism by exposing brutal realities of his character’s life and the uncomfortable, sometimes even unsavoury truths of one’s innermost being. Isn’t it a moral function of literature to reveal a human heart and hold up the mirror to the reader, so he might recognise himself and experience another’s inner world with empathy?
Characters:
Main character the story focused on is David Lazar, an only child of a Jewish couple who seemed to care more for wealth rather than anything else. There are other characters such as his paramours, his friends and so forth, but i felt as if they weren't shown enough of his personality as one hopes, and it's interesting to note that in certain instances he exagerates certain characteristics while limiting ones he doesnt want us to sympathize with. One example? He kept pointing out a former associates friendliness while trying to underscore the mean streak his friend had.
Theme:
People can skew a narrative in different directions
Plot:
The story is in first person narrative from Davids point of view, and as i admit, David has led a very fascinating life. Usually stories impart a message or a lesson towards its audience, but i feel as if i have no idea what message i should have received from the story: all the gold in the world won't matter if you don't have someone to share it with? Life experience trumps education? It's possible to have it all?
Author Information:
(From book)
Robert Kalich is the author of several non-fiction books and two previous novels: The Investigation of Ariel Warning and The Handicapper, which was a national bestseller published by Crown. He co-founded a film production company, The Kalich Organization, with his twin brother Richard who is an internationally acclaimed author. He lives with his wife and son in New York City and North Salem NY.
Opinion:
To be honest, I really did want to like the book, but i couldn't get into it, nor could I understand it. The story reads as what is called an autofiction, ( autobiography and fiction in one,) and it is of a fascinating man who was a self made millionaire as well as his life, loves and relationships. While the story wasn't to my taste, I am sad to report, there are a lot of things to be enjoyed in the story: one is whether or not the narrator is reliable because I sense that he left out a lot of things about his life and adventures and he only provides the merest glimpse of what he did. Another fascinating aspect is the business he runs and ultimately what it possibly costs him in relationships and desires due to keen attention he pays to business.
This was given for review
3 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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