Kathleen Norris was one of the best selling and highest paid female authors of the 1930's through the 1950's, capturing the times and emotions of what ordinary people are facing before and after the War, touched with much needed optimism.
Manhattan Love Song, written in 1934, follows college friends Fanny, Madge, Chris and Mack as they leave Stanford for New York. At the height of the Depression, the naivety of youth tells them they will make it in this thrilling city. On arrival, they have no place to stay and are quickly robbed of their savings. Mack wants to be in broadcasting, Madge in theatre, Chris is in law, and Fanny finds work in reselling the donated clothing of the rich. The apartments they find are third floor tenements with ethnic neighbours and lots of shared meals of beets and sauerkraut. When some people are getting by on 16$ a week, they do it on $10. There is always the one-cent diner where you can get a full meal for 5 cents. Interspersed with their struggles are romantic complications - Mack loves Fanny, who loves Chris, who loves Madge - it's like that. They pair up and break up, find careers, and success in different ways. An interesting slice of the life buoyed by Fanny's hopeful charm.
This is a light novel, while managing to point out the struggles of the poor. Lots of basic meals and leftovers, a few breaks to keep spirits up, neighbourhoods of immigrants surviving on aspirations. This is Fanny's story and a bit of a soap opera. I can relate to the reader of the times who saw themselves portrayed, and were uplifted - yes, there is a happy ending - we can make it through. This isn't a book to recommend, but if you enjoy the 1930's, it's interesting and entertaining.
If you follow my reviews, you know I collect the hardcover novels published by Triangle Books. My copy has the characteristic pulpy paper used in wartime, and the inscription in fine cursive "To Marion, From Dot and Floris with memories of business college (Xmas 42')". These personal notes are always a pleasure: I wonder who else read this book over the past eighty-five years?
My other review for Kathleen Norris, also with a dynamite cover:
1934 / Hardcover / 293 pages
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