Spillage

by Michael Gross

It's 1976, and The Big Apple is in sorry shape. Besieged on all sides, the once great city has become a graffiti-coated, garbage-filled, crime-ridden cauldron, teetering on the edge of total collapse. Adding to New York's towering woes, a revolutionary group called the Satanic Vanguard has kidnapped the mayor, set fire to Coney Island and threatened further mayhem. All that Gotham has to hope for are its resurgent Yankees, who've come back from the dead to reach the World Series by riding the arm of their quirky rookie phenom Nick "The Swan" Spillage. But Satan and his Vanguard plan to snuff that hope out too. They've targeted a young couple whose relationship is at a crossroads to help with their diabolical scheme.The rock and roll-loving pair– Joan and Eliot —came of age in the late 1960s when the counterculture peaked. They've lived together in New York's East Village for eight years, making sweet music on the subways while their beloved city crumbled around them. Then, in shades of the Faustian musical Damn Yankees, Joan develops an obsession with The Swan, makes a deal with the Devil to capture his heart and is transformed into a rock star with the spirit of Janis Joplin, whose mission is to get the pitcher to take a dive. Meanwhile, Eliot wrestles with what it means to preserve his own soul as he makes a valiant effort to win her back and save the day. Spillage is a wickedly fun throwback to a chaotic time. At its heart, the novel is a love story and a search for identity in a world that's gone off the rails.Michael Gross began writing Spillage in 1976, the year the story takes place, while working as Managing Editor of Fiction magazine, teaching, and earning his MFA in Creative Writing at New York's City College. He also has a BA in Philosophy from Trinity College and an MBA in Finance from New York University, and was the recipient of a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. In 1978, he embarked on a 40+ year career in crisis communications, culminating in his serving as President and CEO of a leading strategic communications firm, RLMFinsbury (now FGS Global). Since retiring, he has returned to his passion for creative writing, dividing his time between Brooklyn, Fire Island, and parts unknown. He is married, and has three children and three grandchildren.

Genres: Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2024

Reviews

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This sounded so great. It gave me Tom Robbins' vibes and as I am very interested in this period in New York's history I was excited to read it. I am afraid that it didn't live up to my expectations. At the end, the author writes about how he couldn't get this book published at the time he wrote it, because it had too many things going on and was too confusing. This, decades later published version is far more streamlined and cohesive, apparently. It may be the case for the author, but it is definitely not the case for me. The constant jump cutting from scene to scene, the fracturing of characters, constantly becoming other versions of themselves, the layering of meta narratives and ideas, just made a lot of noise. I lost sight of the plot. I lost sight of the characters and after a while I didn't care to find them again.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

It's 1976, and New York is well on its way to meeting it's early 90's nadir, when the Yankees get a pitcher, and start actually being good for a while. The pitcher seems based on Mark "The Bird" Fyrddrych, and unlikely phenom, who was great for a couple of years.

Pretty strange, and nobody acts like they have good sense.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s the 1970’s, a tumultuous time of change and anyone who live through the era of the ‘Big Apple’, hedonistic lifestyle of those days, hippy culture, drugs and what could be considered as a cultural revolution in societal values, will relate to this wide ranging, witty and fast paced look back down the years, captured by Michael Gross in Spillage.
New York or the ‘Big Apple’ is beginning to crumble at the edges, the gloss slowly but surely being removed, the Nixon Administration is in full swing and the only bright spot in the chaos is the Yankee’s possibly making a major come-back, thanks to their new pitcher Nick ‘The Swan’ Spillage.
But all this is put in jeopardy when Joan, a depressed young woman, develops a major crush on Spillage and is prepared to go to any length to gain his attention in bed and out. So metaphorically, while New York burns, Eliot, Joan’s long-time partner is prepared to do what it takes to get her back: to put his world and that of many others, back where it should be, Nixon and local politics not-with-standing.
Spillage is not a book for everyone, but certainly is reflective of a time when the traditional was rapidly being undermined, rules changed consistently and corruption was on an upward trend.
Somewhat cynical, often fractious and definitely a novel of the 1970’s, when Michael Gross wrote the first draft, Spillage will be a walk back down memory lane, when life was often exactly the way Gross portrays it – chaotic!

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that take place in the past and in NYC, as I used to live in that tri-state area all my life😉 I really liked hearing about Joan and her infatuation with the Beatles and how that spilled into her relationships with men. That was interesting and true of girls/women who get into relationships with men. We tend to model our mates after someone who we see that strikes our fancy.
I loved the way that the author wrote about the 1970’s and that era. There is a lot going on in this book with Joan who is crazy over Spillage, a baseball player. But Joan is also involved with a man named Elliot who is her long standing partner. There is mention of crime, baseball games, love triangles and affairs. This book story is very reminiscent of the play Damn Yankees.
If you love the decade of the 1970’s, the Yankees, hearing about The Beatles, Joan Jett, etc. you will love this book!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying this is not my typical read, and it was fun. I am also more of a hockey fan, but I can appreciate baseball, as my family loves going to games. And with this book taking place in NY in the past, it was a fun trip. It did take me a little bit to get into, but nothing put me off of this book which I found good as I could have easily dnf it. Something about the characters kept me wanting to know where it was going to go. I swear so much goes down as Joan carries on, love, 70s theme, baseball games, crime and so forth. Gross created a wonderful world, and I think others should read it as well.

[Mrs Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading books about New York. I have not been there, so I like to read and picture myself there, no matter what the decade. This book was set in the 70s, so before I was born. It had a baseball theme through it and I was able to follow along with that, since it is my favorite professional sport. Spillage was not the typical book I read, but that is one of the reasons I decided to read it. I am very interested in seeing more from this author. This book will be passed along to other book lovers who enjoy reading about New York.

Thank you to the author for a copy, this is my honest opinion.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Gross explains in this book NYC in the 70’s. It definitely gave me a different view of life and it was also an interesting read!! I normally don’t read a genre like this but it was overall a good book!! It took me a few to get through it ONLY because it isn’t my favorite genre to read. I was asked to read this book for this review so that’s what I done! To the people that like this type of book, this is an easy read, very entertaining, knowledgeable, and interesting to say the least!! I would recommend this book!

[Kerrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Won in a Goodreads giveaway

I liked the first 20 or so pages of this book and I appreciated the baseball aspect but other than that, I’m afraid I have nothing positive to say.

Nothing made sense and the entire book was like reading the tales of a group of people on an acid trip. All of the characters were horrible. The story was nonsensical. I almost quit reading so many times but I made myself finish it. Other people seemed to love it and I’m happy they did but it was horrible in my opinion.

[Gilda Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful debut novel is a wild and mesmerizing ride!! Gross sucks you into a hot and sticky alternate universe with juicy characters and a delightfully punchy Gonzo voice. A transportive glimpse into the beautiful mess that was 1970’s New York City. Be careful — once you pick this book up you won’t be able to put it down!

[Lisa Donneson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts out with a great first sentence, immediately gets you interested in the characters and takes you on a fun ride. The story is highly evocative of NYC in the ‘70s – the Yankees, Janis Joplin, Vietnam and Nixon as well as references to the ancient Greeks – Odysseus, chaos and order. Highly recommended.

[Sandra Hartog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play ball! Michael Gross has it going on with his spectacular first book. A joy to read on so many levels. You've got New York in the gritty 70's, crime, clubs, baseball, love affairs, politics, and satan. What more can one want? Gross' witty style, chock-filled with one liners worth remembering, leads you on a laugh-out -loud journey definitely worth savoring. Bring on the next book!

[Ashlee Tharman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read! I love that it was so centered around baseball, and everything was so creatively done! It was super awesome reading about the events from various points of view - it added to the story and what was going on. All in all I enjoyed this book and it'll be on my list of rereads!

[Charles M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book—a wonderful debut. Spillage is a witty, wacky, romantic romp through ‘70s New York. Colorful characters and clever prose combine to keep the reader engaged and enthralled. All in all, a devilishly delightful play on Damn Yankees. A five-star read.

[Paige Hennen · Rating 3 out of 5]

the story had a strong start and finish, but the in between was hard to follow at times. many of the characters involved with the vanguard weren’t introduced thoroughly and the “train of thought” sequences were difficult to pin down. but once i got it, i really enjoyed it!

[Michelle Sidrane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the 1960s and 70s NYC details. Fun read!

[Alan Sidrane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the fog of time we get a clear view into the haze of the era. Very evocative of the issues of the time. Go Yankees!

[Jack Frishberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spillage is a hysterical trip back into the 1970s.
A Definite must read.

[Claire Richoux Herbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much back and forth for me, but an interesting read.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads giveaway winner / free book review:

Interesting 1970’s New York comedy. Quick and easy read for me though this book likely is not everyone's cup of tea. Nice change up though if you are a multiple books at once reader.

Kindle e-book on IOS.
Used Spoken content accessibility tool with English Australian voice Matilda Premium to listen to this book.