By Enright, Larry A King in a Court of Fools Paperback - August 2011

by Larry Enright

Humorous fiction, coming of age, Appropriate for ages 10 and up King in a Court of Fools begins with a book — The Book of Tom — a journal writing assignment from Tom Ryan’s sixth-grade teacher, Sister Jeanne Lorette. That’s what she called it. Tom called it punishment. In it, he chronicles the adventures of the Caswell Gang, a group of siblings and friends with two things in common — their love of adventure and their allegiance to Tom, their king.The 1950s book was misplaced a long time ago, and all the children have since grown up, but Harry, Tom’s youngest brother, still remembers it and retells for us one of its stories in a nostalgic, heartwarming, and humorous way that will have you wishing for adventure, too.

Genres: Humor, Historical Fiction, Fiction

Paperback

First published August 21, 2011

About the author

Larry Enright is an award-winning and best-selling author. He lives on a farm where he grows his stories in peaceful climes.

Find him at larryenright.com

Reviews

[Ryne Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's something to be said about what 'was'. That time before we became what we are as adults, often funny, sometimes sad, but always important.

Larry Enright has heightened nostalgia here to a level not experienced since Jean Shepherd's magnificent 'In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash', which inspired the seminal holiday film 'A Christmas Story'. His Tom and Harry Ryan are rogue and angel, two halves of a familial coin, who tear through this tale with their friends in the Caswell Gang.

That we all could have had such friends and adventures in our youth, 'A King In A Court Of Fools' gives young and old alike a chance to relive a time when life was simpler, and fun could be summoned from the seemingly ordinary. Highly recommended for all ages.

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you ever walk into a kitchen and have a smell transport you back in time to another era? Certain songs also have that effect on me. But I never had that feeling last for a sustained period of time until I read Larry Enright’s “A King in a Court of Fools.”

Enright does a masterful job of capturing the early 60s through the eyes of six-year-old Harry Ryan. While the plot is interesting and the setting is painted to perfection, the real gemstone in this novel is the main subplot. Harry’s oldest brother, Tom, is clearly his hero and role model. Yet, Harry never puts his brother on a pedestal. By questioning some of Tom’s decisions, Harry carves out his own individuality. In one scene, he emulates his brother’s courage by walking into the occupied garage of a local adversary to gather some important intel. In doing so he gains the respect and admiration of his siblings and a new friend.

The author symbolically underscores Harry’s growth by having him play a key role in finding the group’s new clubhouse after an electrical storm destroyed the old one. This family-friendly novel has enough texture that there is excellent entertainment value for readers of all ages.

[Mary Early · Rating 5 out of 5]

I followed this story when it was published as a weekly serial, and every week I looked forward to the next little episode (chapter). Each chapter is built around a bit of nostalgia (such as Isaly’s or the drive-in or the Saturday matinee) and provides a really entertaining backdrop for the overall story which is a bit of a mystery that the kids must solve. Although this is a story about kids, I think it is more a story for adults. As other reviewers have written, it is heartwarming, charming, innocent, and just plain fun, and reminds us of how simple life was back then, and makes me wonder why it can’t be like that again.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A KING IN A COURT OF FOOLS
REVIEWED BY FRAN LEWIS
AUTHOR: LARRY ENRIGHT

So, you decided to sneak, with some help I might add, into your older brother’s room and find out and read his inner most secrets. How cool is that! With the help of his older brother, our author found what most would say is their sacred diary but in this case it was a journal that chronicled the antics, incidents and life of his family and friends. Imagine finding it buried somewhere in your brother’s room, sneaking in every chance you get and then having all of it made public by writing the book yourself as an adult What a great tribute to your brother and your family as author Larry Enright writes this hysterical account of his life in King in a Court Of Fools.

So, Sister Jeanne was a torturer who made kids do writing assignments. Causing his brother Tom, to keep a journal of evens to complete what he thought was a punishment assignment, Tom Ryan wrote what we are all now privileged to read his perception of life. Life during the 1950’s was quite different than it is now especially for kid growing up. Harry, our storyteller, Tom youngest brother, has a vivid memory of time and he recounts to the reader in a humorous and heartwarming fashion what he remembers, the adventures and wild things he, his brother and friends got into and the many tortures inflicted on him being in the sixth grade class of Sister Jeanne Lorette.

When you read a memoir or a book about someone’s life they all seem to blend together the same way. This book is quite unique and different as you hear the voice of each person, picture the antics as a group of 6th graders are about to make their acting debut in front of a group of 8th graders and what he recounts will bring more than just smiles to your face. Uplifting, heartwarming and definitely hilarious wait until you learn more about King and a Court Of Fools.

Tom was the King. He ran the movements, the decisions and the entire Caswell Gang enterprise. You would think it was a major corporation the way he handled the way things ran. Mary, his sister was their financial adviser, administrator or the one that kept things straight with of course an accurate record. Tom kept a log of the rules in his tightly hidden grip never seen by anyone. Kate was the sister who no one would dare mess with and was protected. Harry our narrator, the squirt was almost like the gang’s mascot and then there was Sam who provided skills in many areas. Of course he allowed others into the gang but only if they went to the same school and would adhere to the rules. Every gang has an archenemy and his name was Frankie.

One afternoon when Harry, who was always getting into scrapes and wandered into the woods he found something that would set the gang on an investigative course of their own. Imagine finding a Pink Corvette hidden away in the woods with the name Pink Lady stenciled on the outside. Just where did this come from and who is the owner you will have to do some investigating on your own to find out.

Puddles are cool and walking through them even if you get your shoes soaked can be fun. But, when a truck comes by and almost soaks Tom’s sisters, and Frankie is the cause of the problem and they are sent to the Principal’s office to be disciplined. But, when they get there they are surprised at the end result. Who gets punished and who learns what happens when you cross Tom Ryan? Wait and see what lesson Frankie learns after ratting out the Ryan’s. Never tell on Tom. Just a warning!

After dealing with Sister Concepta the gang goes to a drive-in-movie and once again finds themselves in a dilemma this time with the notorious Finnerty brothers. But, our Tom is clever and can handle the situation. But, when they go to their hiding place the Cherry Tree the next day what they see enrages them all and now the war is on to find out who stole the Pink Corvette, how are they going to return it to the owner and will they get it before it is repainted RED? The plot thickens as our gang of brothers and sisters along with their friends learn some hard lessons in life including what and where not to go and the end results. But, what you will love about the Ryan’s is their family loyalty, love, camaraderie, understanding and humor.

But, there is much more to this amazing book and the stories being told. As little Harry stands up to the Finnerty Brothers to find out if they had the Pink Lady’s Car hidden away in their garage to meeting a war veteran named AJ when he wanders away these kids are so great and you have to love their energy and enterprising ways. The trivia he added from Tom’s journal and his rationale about why we need parents and their real jobs was so true. “ God invented parents to make sure that we don’t have too much fun.” I guess most kids would agree with that. But, in reality as Harry and everyone learned they were invented to make sure we stay on the straight and narrow in spite of ourselves. The parents in this book remind me of Ozzie and Harriet or Ward and June Clever. Harry reminds me of a cross between the Beaver and Ricky. This is one book that reminds everyone that kids can be polite. Fights do happen and can be handled in a clever way. Grownups sometimes do know best and you can have fun without spending tons of money. The story about the Ice Cream Parlor reminded me of the Kitchen Sink at Jahn’s in the Bronx and the story about the Pink Lady’s car was really quite inventive as told.

Real life incidents told in the voice a one young man named Harry Ryan. This book is really great and reminds us that values are important to teach to kids. Family love, kindness and understanding are definitely needed. But, most important we need to thank Sister Jeanne Lorette or Tom would never have written his inner most thoughts and secrets in this journal and we never would have had the privilege and honor of reading them.

A King in A Court of Fools as Harry describes himself as he is driving around in the Pink Lady’s car. The fairgrounds, the sirens telling of air raids and the real life description of what happens when kids think they are under attack. Bringing it all back really brought a smile to my face and I definitely can’t wait to read the author’s first book Four Years From Home. Well- written and so realistically told, author Larry Enright brings the 50’s into the 2000’s. Wish we could bring more of it back. Thanks for asking me to read and review this book.

This book gets FIVE PINK CORVETTES
Fran Lewis: Reviewer

[Astrid Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a nice, easy, refreshing read. Very much enjoyed the nostalgia throughout. Made me remember being a kid, climbing trees, siblings, and adventures.

[D.L. Morrese · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the first few pages, this ebook reminded me of the movie “A Christmas Story,” which was based on a book by Jean Shepherd titled “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.” That story is also set in 1950s America and is also told from the perspective of a young boy, in that case one obsessed with getting a BB gun for Christmas. I’m sure you’ve seen the movie. It’s on TV almost continuously during the holidays. I only bring it up as a way to describe what A King in a Court of Fools is like. It’s like that movie.
In this ebook, young Harry Ryan has no overriding obsession like the kid in the movie although we learn he would like to ride shotgun in the pink Corvette he and his siblings find in the woods one day. But the pink Corvette is not so much a plot device of this book as it is part of the setting. There really isn’t much of a plot and no deep insights or big ideas. It is not that kind of book. It is a snapshot in time, a picture of suburban life in the mid to late 1950s seen through the eyes of Harry Ryan, the youngest child (about 7) in a large Catholic family living near Pittsburgh.
The reason this book earns 5 stars (from me anyway) is because the author provides a picture of 1950s America clearer and crisper than if it were made on Kodachrome film. The details he provides, from common phrases used, to the descriptions of various brands and products that serve as props, accurately fill out the setting and help highlight differences from today. What the characters see, how they talk, and how they look at things are vividly told, allowing readers of a certain age to recall the feeling of what it was like to be a kid at the time.
Those who grew up later than the 1950’s or early 1960’s may find it harder to relate to this story. It may be too far removed from the world they know but the descriptions are so well done, I think they may be able to as well. I will leave it for them to decide. All I would say to them is that yes, this is what it was like. Trust me. I was there.

[Faith Mortimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished Larry Enright's A King in the Court of Fools. This essentially is a childrens' book. But Larry writes in such a lovely way that the reader cannot help being drawn in to this lovely story of childhood anecdotes.
Beautifully written with a real poignancy, full of fun and it took me right back to my own childhood of tree houses and dens in forests - such a shame that children cannot play in this way these days. Larry you have a 'goer' with this and I must write a review for amazon for you
Well done
Faith Mortimer
Author of;
Children of The Plantation
The Assassins' Village
The Crossing
Echoes of Life and Love

Merged review:

I've just finished Larry Enright's A King in the Court of Fools. This essentially is a childrens' book. But Larry writes in such a lovely way that the reader cannot help being drawn in to this lovely story of childhood anecdotes.
Beautifully written with a real poignancy, full of fun and it took me right back to my own childhood of tree houses and dens in forests - such a shame that children cannot play in this way these days. Larry you have a 'goer' with this and I must write a review for amazon for you
Well done
Faith Mortimer
Author of;
Children of The Plantation
The Assassins' Village
The surgeon's Blade

[Shawn Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry Enright continues to squeeze refreshing sweetness from the delicious fruit that was Four Years From Home. Actually, I guess that should be said of Buffalo Nickel Christmas since that is the third and latest installation in the Ryan saga. But because I read them out of order, this is my latest experience visiting a world that my father grew up in, and not me. The days of the Ryan boys are days that were pretty much extinct by the time I was growing up, and now that my own children are experiencing this thing called life, it's safe to say that they'd need an archeologist to teach them about those simpler days. The story is not a mystery like Four Years From Home but rather a glimpse back at the carefree and fun lives of the Ryan gang. It's a great read that will take you back to the lost days of your youth (if those days were kind to you, that is), or, if you're too young to fully appreciate such a time (as I am), Enright's story will make you wish the Ryan adventures had been your own. Can’t wait for the next Ryan story!

[Dan Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Although my growing up years were about 10 years later than the time period of this book, there were several events and/or experiences in here that I could relate to. At one point the narrator mentions that their friends were called home by their mom ringing a cowbell. I had to laugh at this because I thought that my mom was the only mother to ever use a cowbell to tell her kids that it was time to come home. Having gone to Catholic school for grades k-12, I was also able to relate to the dread the kids felt as they were sitting outside the principal's office. Although I did not have that experience very often, I was deathly afraid when I did have to go. Not sure if it was because I had to see the principal or because I knew that I was in even bigger trouble when I got home. Not sure if student will enjoy this book though as it is about a very different era of growing up.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming story that will return the reader to their own childhood and memories that we all share. I first read this as serial installments and became so invested in the characters that I did not want the series to end. Larry's sense of humor definitely comes across and adds to the charm of his second book about the Ryan brothers. Although the book is suitable for a younger audience I think most adults (especially babyboomers) will identify the adventures of an older sibling from the perspective of a younger sibling recalling the glory days of grade school and being part of a "gang".

[Karen M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story of five siblings growing up in the '60s in a suburbia that still has woods behind the backyard and a million adventures to find. It's a story with bullies, school uniforms, drive-in movies, home packed school lunches and an adventure of a lifetime. Meet the Ryan kids, Tom, Mary, Sam, Kate and Harry. Join them in the exploration of childhood for just a brief moment and come away from the experience possibly thinking "I remember when we did that" or being surprised there was ever a time when "that" was done. A really enjoyable read.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free book on the Amazon Kindle website. I don't know why exactly I downloaded it, but I did. And then I read it. And I enjoyed it. Family friendly, nostalgic, and made me feel like a kid in the 50's. Not a lot of plot or anything, but as one other reviewer put it, it is a "snapshot in time." Descriptions were great and really put you inside the story and brought the Caswell game to life. So, a quick, enjoyable read, and a nice break from the more serious or detailed books that I've been reading.

[P. Christopher Colter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is an enjoyable piece of nostalgia from the American suburbs in the 1950s. At each turn, there is a pleasant reminder of what it was like to grow up in a time when we were not so "plugged in" and there was not the feeling that there is a bogeyman behind every corner. My only negative is that the plot was held together by a somewhat weak thread about a sports car found in the woods. As a series of vignettes about a 50s childhood, this book is a highly enjoyable read.

[Sky Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing about this book is, it is so charming and innocent that you almost miss that it is chock full of life lessons and statements about the cloudiness of right and wrong as seen through a boy’s eyes. Harry Ryan is a little gem of a boy who tells us about his older brother Tom. And though Tom is not quite the gem Harry is, he always shines through as the complex little hero of this story. This is one I’ll remember and reread.

[Doug Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I confess I wasn't expecting this. After reading Four Years from Home, his other book, I was looking for the bottom to fall out of Tom Ryan's world at any moment. But this is an extremely well-written, humorous, and easy-to-read work that establishes Enright as one of my favorites in the modern fiction world. It's about kids, but I'm no kid and I loved it.

[Jim Bunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me of the Little Rascals but taken to a different intellectual level. Written from the perspective of the youngest, Harry, looking back on his adventures, each chapter is a free-standing episode and all are tied nicely together by the thread of a little mystery that the gang must solve. Very enjoyable and easy read. I'd like another of these, please, sir!

[Martin Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like a story with background and this one has plenty of that. From the vivid description of Isaly’s Dairy Store, to the Saturday Matinee, to the Drive-In Movie, a picture is painted of life in the 50’s that is both captivating and endearing. Very funny and nostalgic, this is one I’d read for myself and to my children, if only I had children.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good nostalgic fiction about some brothers and sisters set in the late 50s. Charming writing told from the youngest brothers' point of view as they go through exciting adventures after finding a stolen car hidden in
the woods near their home. This tale is woven in with everyday life of the time. dealing with Catholic school, bullies, Saturday matinees, drive-in movies etc.

[Dierdra McGill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really fun light read that will take you back to your childhood memories. I loved the stories and how close Tom, Harry and the rest of his siblings were. This is a work of fiction so keep that in mind when you read it but still a great read.

[Kevin Clymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and laughed at the funny kid situations in this book. It's not my time period but I also enjoyed the 1950's settings and the feel for the times that the book gave me. Outstanding piece of humor, nostalgia, and fun.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and full of humorous incidences!

This is a book that brings us back to our own childhood with all its humorous and serious moments. Light-hearted and fun, the perfect read for the Holiday Season (and, of course, for the rest of the year). Well done!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet little book. Verry nostalgic, bordering on preachy, but told from a 6 year old's perspective made it bearable. All the good things about the 50s and well written. I'll read another of his.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun read!! Memories of childhood when kids could be gone all day and their parents didn't worry (too much). Times when woods were safe to play in, families worked together to get things done and neighbors pitched in to help each other without expecting compensation.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming! I picked it because of a challenge in which the title must include "royalty." And this one is a gem of childhood tales and adventures. Makes me long for more opportunities for my kids to run around and explore the local environs, though we just have way more traffic for it to be safe.

[Dennis Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the little Rascals, these kids go from one misadventure to another trying to figure out an adult mystery. What a fun book, and the nostalgia is just so well put together. Great read.

[Bob O'brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely fun book to read. I'm passing it on to my grandchildren next.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy,interesting read, nothing that great though. A 1950's childhood memoir reminding you of what a great time it was to be a kid back then.

[Maxine Rybka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy stories of less-than-functional families and this one didn't disappoint. A quick read and a nice one, too!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

sweet nostalia - when times were simpler...