OUR EDDIE

by Sulamith Ish-Kishor ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 17, 1969

Our Eddie is the oldest son who cannot please a rigid, exacting father and who is gracelessly and cruelly denied the opportunity to grow his own way. Mr. Raphel a Hebrew teacher who moves his household from London to Harlem (c. 1920), grudgingly accepts the gradual crippling of his wife but, preoccupied with professional commitments and narrow in his expectations, won't concede that Eddie has similar symptoms. Sister Sybil, who tells the major part of the story, is more obviously alert to the indignity and injustice of disablement as are the other children, Lilie and Thad; yet each has individual priorities and their minor rivalries are delineated with enormous skill--Lilie's complaining, Thad's me-too-ism, Sybil's sharp insights and genuine warmth. Her recall is framed by that of Hal Kent who knew the spirited Eddie in London before his multiple sclerosis became apparent; Sybil and Hal's exceptional relationship reflects younger love at its most delicate moments. The texture of family life is wonderfully immediate whether the Raphels are disparaging/envying richer relatives, enjoying odd moments together, suffering the growing hostility between father and son, or absorbing Mr. Raphel's remorse after Eddie dies. Neither maudlin nor morbid, this is a fluent, soft-spoken exposure to irresistible characters confronting the precariousness of existence.

Pub Date: March 17, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Pantheon

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1969

Categories: FICTION