Balancing Acts

by Lynne Sharon Schwartz

Retirement doesn’t spell the end after all, in this rousing journey through loss and rebirth

Max has lived a long and fulfilling life. He and his wife were star trapeze artists and acrobats in the Brandon Brothers circus. But with her passing, he’s left alone in New York, and suffers a heart attack after a terrifying mugging. Without family to fall back on, Max is forced to leave his beloved Manhattan for a rest home in Westchester. He fears it will be the end of him—but in this stirring novel, retirement means a new beginning. In Westchester, Max meets Lettie, a kind widow, and the rambunctious and intelligent Alison, her daughter. And through a new gig teaching juggling and stunts at a local middle school, and new relationships with unexpected allies in the boring suburbs, Max discovers that it’s never too late to have a fresh start.

Genres: Fiction

211 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Lynne Sharon Schwartz (b. 1939) is a celebrated author of novels, poems, short fiction, and criticism. Schwartz began her career with a series of short stories before publishing her first novel, the National Book Award–nominated Rough Strife (1980). She went on to publish works of memoir, poetry, and translation. Her other novels have included the award-nominated Leaving Brooklyn (1989) and Disturbances in the Field (1983). Her short fiction has appeared in theBest American Short Stories annual anthology series several times. In addition, her reviews and criticism have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers. Schwartz lives in New York City, and is currently a faculty member of the Bennington Writing Seminars.

Reviews

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a coming of age story rivaled only by "The Member of the Wedding" and just as accessible. It's beautifully written -- one of those books where you know how it has to end and you're infuriated when it ends that way. It's much less known that either "Disturbances in the Field" (which is a more important book and superb in its own right, but nowhere near as moving) or "Leaving Brooklyn."

[Adri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure about this one

I am a big fan of Lynne Sharon Schwartz, and I believe she deserves a much bigger following. That said, I have my doubts about this book. I was unable to really connect with and develop empathy with the main characters. Apart from that I found the book disjointed at times. The story idea was good, but the execution was not on par with those of Schwartz's other books I have read.

There were also some problems with the digitization of the book which I found quite irritating. Nevertheless, a solid three stars.