3 out of 4 stars
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"My dreams of making it in the theater never came true, but somehow, simply being a resident of Manhattan made me feel like a star."
If you have ever visited New York City, perhaps you have wondered what it would be like to live there. John Joseph Strangi spares no detail in his telling memoir, My Thirty Years in New York City. After his father insists that he must quit acting and go to college in Dallas, Strangi convinces him he will need a car, which he promptly sells and uses the money to move to the city of his dreams. With a flair for drama and a dash of humor, Strangi shares his experiences as a young actor seeking work, his day job working on Wall Street, and the parade of interesting people who cross his path.
In this 162-page memoir, Strangi gives readers an insider's view as he reveals his favorite haunts like Sardi's, Joe Allen's, and the Oak Bar at the Plaza Hotel. He describes the novelty of shopping on Fifty-Seventh Street at places such as Tiffany's and Bergdorf Goodman, whose gorgeous window displays he compares to "mini-Broadway shows."
In fact, I particularly liked Strangi's description of his 1972 trip to the Big Apple, prior to being a resident there. He passionately expressed his excitement regarding the city's iconic skyline, nightlife, and Broadway shows, and his enthusiasm was contagious. Once he moved to the city, I also enjoyed his entertaining highlights of the shows he saw, restaurants he frequented, and celebrities he met, including Katherine Hepburn, Geraldine Page, Matt Lauer, and Julie Andrews. On a more somber note, Strangi shared details regarding the experience of living in the city during and after the attacks on September 11, 2001. His retelling of waking early, enjoying his usual cups of coffee, and heading to the gym on the beautiful September morning before discovering the news was a poignant reminder of the tragic events that transpired on that day.
On the other hand, I disliked Strangi's writing style; his first-person narrative often conveyed an air of entitlement. Strangi's parents were divorced, but he inherited money from his father. Based on his extravagant purchases and lifestyle, it must have been a sizable amount. However, I struggled to maintain interest in the social scene of "The Hamptons" and details involving his exorbitant spending habits, as I imagine the average reader would.
The editing also needs some polishing. One of the most common errors was punctuating questions with exclamation points. Although the number of errors necessitates deducting a star, the book will appeal to readers who enjoy reading about New York and the lifestyle there. Fans of the theater will appreciate the Broadway show trivia. I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars.
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My Thirty Years In New York City
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