The Tender Bar: a Memoir by J. R. Moehringer
Just a short aside before I begin the review. I don't know how I did it,
but I selected three biographical pieces to read over the holidays. All
were very different. I posted my review of "Teacher Man" by Frank
McCourt. It was wonderful and very re-affirming for teachers everywhere.
I also read "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" by David Sedaris.
I was vaguely disappointed. I think the first half was good, but then,
somewhere in the middle the chapters seemed to get disjointed and I felt
I was reading magazine pieces that were haphazardly thrown in. If you
enjoyed it, feel free to voice your opinion.
On the other hand, I couldn't put down "The Tender Bar"! What a
beautifully written memoir about growing up without a father, and with a
strong, determined, single-mother, who faces financial ruin at almost
every turn. Moreover, the story is about a bar, and the men in it, both
those who tend it, and those who frequent it and their relationship with
Moehringer as he grows up. he genesis may have been a visit back to his
hometown of Manhasset on Long Island after September 11, 2001, in his
role as a reporter for the L.A. Times. Manhasset may have had the most
killed of any community in the Trade Towers attack. Some of his friends
and acquaintances were killed.
There is so much to this book. So much insecurity, pain, loss, and yet
still hopeful, sometime buoyant and funny. I won't tell you the entire
situation, but one scene in particular stood out. JR is talking with a
bar regular, Bob the Cop, who has always told JR that everyone makes
mistakes. Bob the Cop says "Like I told you, that's why they put erasers
on pencils." He adds this caveat, however: "They do not put erasers on
guns." You will have to read the book to read the entire scene, but it
just walloped me.
This isn't a book club book, to be discussed and analyzed, but a very
personal read. Enjoy!
This will be my last review of adult books until the next vacation. Have
a great second term. I wish all of you the best!
Adam Janowski
Library Media Specialist
Naples High School
1100 Golden Eagle Circle
Naples, FL 34102
E-mail: NHSWebmaster@collier.k12.fl.us
Phone: 239-377-2210
Fax: 239-377-2370
Library web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/lmc/
School web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/
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