Sneak Peek: Broadway Baby by Alan Shapiro
Today we have an early peek at Alan Shapiro’s forthcoming novel, Broadway Baby, landing in bookstores on January 24th. We have five autographed copies to give away to our readers. For a chance to win one, just leave a comment here or on our Facebook page and you’ll be automatically entered!
About Broadway Baby:
As a little girl growing up in Boston, Miriam Bluestein fantasized about a life lived on stage, specifically in a musical. Get married, have a family—sure, maybe she’d do those things, too, but first and foremost there was her career. As a woman, she is both tormented and consoled by those dreams in her day-to-day existence with her family, including a short-tempered husband, a cranky mother, and three demanding children, one of whom, Ethan, shows real talent for the stage.
It is through Ethan that Miriam strives to realize her dreams. As she pushes him to make the most of his talent, the rest of her life gradually comes undone, with her husband becoming increasingly frustrated and her other two children—Sam, a mass of quirks and idiosyncrasies, and Julie, hostile and bitter—withdrawing into their own worlds. Still Miriam dreams, praying for that big finale, which, when it comes, is nothing that she ever could have imagined.
Broadway Baby marks the fiction debut of a nationally acclaimed award-winning memoirist and poet, “an acute observer of moments, people, art and language [who] packs even seemingly simple stories with many layers of meaning” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
Praise:
“If his book elicits sorrow it’s due to Shapiro’s smashing ability to portray Bluestein as a romantic . . . Broadway Baby is an ordinary story told extraordinarily well. Bluestein is as flawed as any human but is heroic all the same.” – Louisville Courier-Journal
“When great poets like Shapiro write their novels, they bring their powers of wordsmithery to the page . . . They do more than simply describe the action, so that the pleasure of reading a good story is enhanced.” – Durham Herald-Sun
“Shapiro . . . offers an endearing, witty, and heart-warming take on family life . . . Equally sad and laugh-out-loud funny and boasting a cast of vibrant characters, this book is sure to hit a nerve with readers, no matter what their background. Readers will find themselves alternately rooting for Miriam and for her much-suffering family members. Sure to be a favorite.”– Library Journal
“How do you put into words thunderous applause, curtain calls and a standing ovation? That’s what I send out to Alan Shapiro’s remarkable debut novel, Broadway Baby, a beautifully written, often hilarious, memorably moving account of the one and only Miriam Bluestein’s greatest performance: her life.”– Jill McCorkle, author of Going Away Shoes
Read an excerpt:
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Overall Score
Reader Rating: 0 Votes
I would love to win! Sounds like a great book!
sounds really good!
Love to win….Broadway Baby…by Alan Shapiro……sounds like a book that I want to read,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,babyruthmac16@yahoo.com
I would love to win this book!
This sounds fascinating! I would love a copy of this to delve into.
Maybe this novel could eventually be staged as a Broadway musical.
Moving this to the top of my To-Read list! Fingers crossed for an autographed copy…
I would love to win this book, sounds so inticing.
Raises hand for free books.
This novel sounds wonderful. I would really enjoy the chance to have a sneak peak. I will tell my friends to read it when it comes out later this month!
Yet another must-read release from Algonquin! Adding this to my To-Read list for 2012.
Aw! This looks so cute and fun! (Also, potentially heart-wrenching…)
Sound like a good book to read and I have not read any of this author’s book yet.. please do enter me for those free give away books…
I’m been hearing good things about this book. It combines my love of reading with my lifetime in theatre. Would love to win in.
Oh, this sounds like a winner!
Count me in….I would love to win/read this book.
Sounds like a great story!
Would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks!
Sounds interesting!
I love Alan’s poetry and non-fiction. I can’t wait to read this! I am really hoping you make my day and pick me.
Another Algonquin title I’m looking forward to. Thanks for letting us know — and we would so welcome a copy!
Broadway Baby sounds ke my kind of a read, hope I win!
Would love a copy! Sounds delightful!
Whether I win a copy or not, I MUST read this book! It sounds so good.
Sounds fascinating. And what an eye-catching cover. I’ll have to watch for this book. Sounds like a must-read.
I love performing-arts related novels. This is definitely something I want to read!
That does sound good. Please enter my name for the chance to win a signed copy.
Looking forward to this one – can I please be entered in the draw? Thank you!
Ooh, pick me.
Looks like a fun book
Very cool! A book giveaway.
This book really sounds like a good one! Thanks for posting its review. I always like to keep up with the new books.
Thanks for holding this giveaway!
I am near the end of my reading list. I could really use a good new book!
I am near the end of my reading list. I could really use a good new book!
I am near the end of my reading list. I could really use a good new book!
“Bubble bubble toil and trouble” – I can feel the family relationships percolate from here in Chicago.
Many thanks for this wonderful giveaway.
Look forward to reading
Look forward to reading
Look forward to reading
As a theater lover (musicals in particular), I’m very intrigued by Shapiro’s premise. The excerpt makes it clear that everything is NOT coming up roses for Mama Miriam, but her journey to vicarious stardom (or chorus-dom, as the case may be) is a ripe opportunity for interesting character development. I look forward to reading Acts II and beyond!
This sounds really great- I love books about family relationships.
Alan Shapiro will be speaking @ Appalachian St.University on Thursday June 7th.
Alan Shapiro will be speaking @ Appalachian St.University on Thursday June 7th.
Alan Shapiro will be speaking @ Appalachian St.University on Thursday June 7th.