Heirs to the Pushcart Fortune by Jack Salem
In 1912, sixteen-year-old Manny Aboulafia, seeking the American Dream, leaves the crumbling Ottoman Empire for New York. Heirs To The Pushcart Fortune weaves the lives of two generations of his family during two of the seminal events of the twentieth century, The Great Depression and World War II.
This family saga explores Manny’s search for that elusive dream and how a chance encounter with a female professor at Barnard College alters both their lives. It depicts the struggles that challenge the family, taking us west with Manny’s firstborn who deceives her way into becoming a screenwriter, and the trauma experienced by a son who barely survives the war.
It is a tale of the true legacy of the immigrant experience–the transmission to succeeding generations of ethical values challenged by the confrontation with reality. Underlying those values were hope, optimism, courage and perseverance, characteristics typical of those who journeyed in pursuit of their dreams.
This is a fabulous read!, July 20, 2007
By Barry M Panter, M.D. Ph.D.
This is a must read book! Jack Salem's novel is a wonderful mixture of story, philosophy, history, and wisdom. The characters are real--and soon after I began reading I cared about them, and hoped for them, and wanted good things for them. I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
This is one of the best novels I have read in many years!
Congratulations to Jack Salem!, December 4, 2007
By Bernard Brickman "book lover" (Los Angeles, CA USA)
Jack Salem's novel, Heirs to the Pushcart Fortune is a gripping read abouts the immigrants' struggle in the new world. I couldn't put it down. The characters evoked strong bonds of identification as my parents were also immigrants from Eastern Europe in the early 20th century. Jack Salem's characters literally pulled me into their striving to survive as the novel progressed. Being a fictionalized family history provided the author with the freedom to make them come alive. The book is powerful as well in its historical, political, social and philosophical dimensions. Congratulations, Jack, on creating one the finest books I have ever read.
A Real Gem..., November 1, 2007
By T. Carter
Jack Salem in his first novel has created characters so indelible, and evoked a time gone by so vividly, that you feel the experience will be part of your conciousness forever. The book takes place largely in New York in the first half of the 20th century, but also briefly transports us through Spain and Turkey. The immigrant class of Sephardic Jews, as well as other denizens of New York, depicted here give us a deep personal insight into the hopes, dreams, and cultural bridges and challenges that helped build modern society. But the book, more specifically, is a deeply personal look at these familial and social struggles through the experience of one immigrant family- the Aboulafias. Through this family, headed by young Manny Aboulafia, and driven by his dreams, the book allows us to pull the covers back from our own modern American history through characters we never really knew, but seem to recognize immediately. The writing is evocative, poetic, and detailed. You'll be glad you read it... and richer for the experience.
Memoir of My Own Youth, October 8, 2007
By Arline Chambers
Jack Salem's novel brought back long-forgotten memories of my own growing-up in New York City. His family of characters grew up in the Bronx. I grew up in Brooklyn - the child of immigrant parents, a mere girl compared with my brother (the Prince.) The author captured sights, smells and incidents that I had long-ago forgotten or repressed. I eventually went to Barnard and my life changed. The novel evoked laughter and tears. I knew these folks, their joys and sorrows, - in my family, in my neighborhood, in my life. A terrific read!