The Worcester Account

by S.N. Behrman

Book by Behrman, S.N.

267 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Samuel Nathaniel Behrman was an American playwright, screenwriter, biographer, and longtime writer for The New Yorker. His son is the composer David Behrman.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as I'm concerned, this passage alone makes "The Worcester Account" worth reading:

Why Providence Street needed two synagogues I never knew. Not long ago I heard a story which, for the first time, made me understand why. It concerned a deeply religious man who was wrecked on an island off Tierra del Fuego. For eighteen years he lived alone on this island. Every morning he went to the shore and waved a white cloth in the hope of rescue. One morning he actually did signal a ship. The captain came ashore and the castaway showed him around the island. At one end was a quite substantial wooden building with a turret. 'That,' said the proud islander, 'is the synagogue. I built it with my own hands!' They continued the tour. At the other end of the island, some miles away, the sightseeing captain saw another building, a replica of the first. 'I built that too,' said the castaway. 'What on earth is it?' asked the captain. 'That,' said the pious craftsman loftily, 'is the synagogue I don't go to!' We -- the congregation of the Providence Street Synagogue -- had the distinction of not going to the Balbirishocker Schul; the congregation of the latter could pride themselves on not going to ours. I suppose it gave each of the two factions a feeling of exclusiveness and privacy in their approach to God. Variety in worship adds, I suppose, to the colour of life and is harmless if kept this side of slaughter; on Providence Street it usually was.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please read this book to get a taste of Worcester during the first part of the 20th century. I especially recommend it to anyone who is interested in the Jewish history in Worcester.
The non-fiction stories from the author are in short story form, so it is really easy to pick up and put down the book when you want. He weaves a fascinating glimpse at "the good old days" in a bustling, working-class city.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book prompted interesting an interesting discussion in our book group. It did prompt memories of an earlier Worcester and simpler time. There was some things to relate to, but well before our times and our parents. Glad I finished it, but enjoyed Nicolas Gages book about growing up in Worcester more.

[Lclermont · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old fashion but rather charming. Maybe it really was a kinder, gentler time.