The Golden Hour: A Novel of Manhood, Marriage, and Redemption Among Volunteer Firefighters

by Nicholas Weinstock

After forty–six years in upscale Manhattan, after two roaring decades as an investment banker and after nineteen years of marriage, Bill Schoenberg lost it all and ran for the hills. He made a mistake, regrettable and unspeakable; and having fled to his neglected country house in rural New York State to gather his wits, he found a chance to reacquire his self–respect as well – and possibly even redemption. To a man for whom flames existed solely in the kitchens of four–star restaurants, and who had volunteered for nothing in his life, the Harristown Volunteer Fire Company represented an unlikely pursuit – until a fire in his house convinced him otherwise. As Bill struggled to trade his French cuff shirts for flannel, to learn to dress in the back of a moving fire truck and to knock down forest fires, he was also forced to navigate the darker recesses of his mind and dying marriage. His wife may have been having an affair with one of his colorful country neighbors; an angry intruder seemed to be preying on his property; and his own unmentionable secret came closer to the surface the longer he stayed in Harristown. Intelligent and entertaining, funny and frightening, THE GOLDEN HOUR is a unique novel of manhood, neighborhood, and saving the day.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, non-taxing read

Conversion stories are usually enjoyable, and sometimes one ever learns something new to boot. Why not learn to fight fires?

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me a lot of early Richard Russo, who does small towns, and fish out of water very well.

Interesting story of a man coming to terms with himself, his life, his faults and fears. Along the way, he learns more about himself and steps outside of his comfort zone to find a new life. Throw in becoming a volunteer firefighter, a small town in upstate New York (characters welcome), a divorce and trying to figure out who the paramour of his ex was, and the tale gains depth and amusement.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Weinstock's last book, _As Long As She Needs Me_, which was a sweet romantic comedy. This, in contrast, is a boy book about a wimpy wealthy Manhattanite who moves out to the country and joins the volunteer fire department, where he battles his inner fears and learns to be physically brave. Pretty predictable, but some nice characters. Lots of profanity.

[Pamk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story written from a man's perspective, and it seemed very plausible. It's very rare that I laugh out loud while reading, but this book accomplished that at least once. An enjoyable read.