From Book Reviewer

Title: Trouble in Flatbush

Author: Arthur J. Levy

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing

ISBN: 1-4196-8699-2

Rating: Must-read

Book Availability: Amazon.com

The author relates in his bio, “My writing skills were perfected in Public School 226 by forging excuse notes from my father.”  This reflects the voice of the narrator in this memoir of a 12-year-old mischievous boy in Brooklyn in the year 1950.

Trouble in Flatbush, is a book for all those who enjoy revisiting their memories of childhood urban life and for those who want to see an image of a different time. The reader is given a picture of 1948-50 Brooklyn and particularly Coney Island in stunning detail through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy. The book is a series of vignettes that bring the reader to a street in Brooklyn where an apartment house is ruled by a Teutonic and frightening Superintendent. But more than that, this account is a meticulous and animated biography of place.

In the second part of the book, the author relives mid century Coney Island. The reader is escorted to adventures in the vanished glamorous amusements parks. This section starts with Luna Park with its Moorish towers as it burns down. Then he turns to Steeplechase with its iron horses, which became worn down and subsequently torn down. The images and adventures that took place there were burned into the memory of the author and delightfully recounted.

As the book begins, the boy senses change in his family and seeks to discover the cause. Later, during a seedy show in the Midway of Coney Island he discovers the root of the trouble and at the same time graduates from the naive days of childhood. The voice of the 12 year old is funny and sweet. The escapades are tumultuous and the boy’s schemes invariably lead to intrigue and trouble. The writing style is light, but feels honest and is engaging. The chapters are loosely connected which makes for easy reading. This book is for everyone, but anyone who lives in, or has ever lived in a big city, the book will have a special attachment. If you are from a city like York, especially Brooklyn, this book is a must-read.

From Amazon.com

I was 12 years old once. My husband and our children were also 12 at one time. As I read Trouble in Flatbush, I could picture any one of us getting into the adventures that the author wrote about. But we didn't. That was what made it so much fun to read the book. I admire the author for bringing to life a time and place so vividly and so humorously. I recommend this engaging and lovely book to anyone that happened to be 12 once.

From Amazon.com

I didn't grow up in Brooklyn or New York City for that matter. But after reading Trouble in Flatbush, I felt that I had. Actually, it seemed as though I knew the characters and places from my childhood. I had a smile on my face through most of the book and laughed often. I read some parts aloud to friends, which started a reminiscing competition of childhood antics. I must say that the author exceeded all of ours. The descriptions of the neighborhood and Coney Island were delightful. Compliments to the author - the book is fun.

From Amazon.com

This was a real funny book about a boy growing up in Brooklyn. It brought back so many memories of my growing up in Brooklyn also. The part I loved best was when his brother put him in the dumbwaiter and pulled him to the basement. I cant imagine how he did that. If you lived in that part of Brooklyn you would really enjoy all the talk about the neighborhood. It is an easy read and full of fun stories.