What do you think?
Rate this book
Some Recollections of St. Ives: A Novel
From the acclaimed playwright and author of Glengarry Glen Ross and American Buffalo comes Some Recollections of St. Ives, a masterful novel that masquerades as a memoir of the fictional Charles Hollis, a man whose life spanned continents, conflicts, and a decades-long career at one of America’s most storied institutions—the St. Ives School.
Written in the final years of Hollis’s life, Some Recollections of St. Ives offers a candid yet poignant reflection on his forty years at the school. Through the allegorical tales woven into Hollis’s recollections, Mamet delivers a sharp, incisive examination of an isolated institution and, by extension, society as a whole.
Once again, Mamet proves himself a master of language, balancing history’s weight on our culture with profound emotional depth. With wit and keen insight, he explores the complexities of human nature and the undercurrents of an American institution.
Written in the final years of Hollis’s life, Some Recollections of St. Ives offers a candid yet poignant reflection on his forty years at the school. Through the allegorical tales woven into Hollis’s recollections, Mamet delivers a sharp, incisive examination of an isolated institution and, by extension, society as a whole.
Once again, Mamet proves himself a master of language, balancing history’s weight on our culture with profound emotional depth. With wit and keen insight, he explores the complexities of human nature and the undercurrents of an American institution.
216 pages, Hardcover
Published August 5, 2025
10 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
David Mamet
223 books731 followersDavid Alan Mamet is an American author, essayist, playwright, screenwriter and film director. His works are known for their clever, terse, sometimes vulgar dialogue and arcane stylized phrasing, as well as for his exploration of masculinity.
As a playwright, he received Tony nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). As a screenwriter, he received Oscar nominations for The Verdict (1982) and Wag the Dog (1997).
Mamet's recent books include The Old Religion (1997), a novel about the lynching of Leo Frank; Five Cities of Refuge: Weekly Reflections on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (2004), a Torah commentary, with Rabbi Lawrence Kushner; The Wicked Son (2006), a study of Jewish self-hatred and antisemitism; and Bambi vs. Godzilla, an acerbic commentary on the movie business.
As a playwright, he received Tony nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). As a screenwriter, he received Oscar nominations for The Verdict (1982) and Wag the Dog (1997).
Mamet's recent books include The Old Religion (1997), a novel about the lynching of Leo Frank; Five Cities of Refuge: Weekly Reflections on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (2004), a Torah commentary, with Rabbi Lawrence Kushner; The Wicked Son (2006), a study of Jewish self-hatred and antisemitism; and Bambi vs. Godzilla, an acerbic commentary on the movie business.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 8, 2025
Presented as the memoir of Charles Hollis’ forty year career at the fictional St. Ives School, this is a sometimes esoteric commentary on the nature of education, youth, the military, politics, relationships, indeed, life itself. Hollis attended the school in the late 1800s, and later returned as an instructor and eventually headmaster from 1939 through the mid-60s.
This book will not be for everyone. Do not expect a smooth narrative. At times, the thoughts are meandering; at other times, succinct and to the point. Embrace this book for its rich use of language, historical perspective, keen observations, and the humor that lurks among the recollections.
Thanks to #NetGalley and @Skyhorsepub for the DRC.
This book will not be for everyone. Do not expect a smooth narrative. At times, the thoughts are meandering; at other times, succinct and to the point. Embrace this book for its rich use of language, historical perspective, keen observations, and the humor that lurks among the recollections.
Thanks to #NetGalley and @Skyhorsepub for the DRC.
May 11, 2025
Book Review: Some Recollections of St. Ives by David Mamet
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Overview
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter David Mamet ventures into literary fiction with Some Recollections of St. Ives, a novel masquerading as the memoir of Charles Hollis, a fictional protagonist whose life spans continents, conflicts, and a storied career. Blurring the lines between memory and invention, Mamet crafts a narrative that is as much a meditation on storytelling as it is a character study. To be released in August 2025 by Arcade Publishing, this 264-page work showcases Mamet’s signature minimalist prose and sharp dialogue, now applied to the introspective realm of autofiction.
Strengths
Masterful Narrative Voice
Mamet’s sparse, precise language—honed through decades of theatrical writing—shines in this pseudo-memoir. The protagonist’s recollections are delivered with a rhythmic cadence, often punctuated by the abrupt, staccato pauses typical of “Mamet speak.” This style lends authenticity to Hollis’s voice, making his reflections feel both intimate and unreliable, as memories often are.
Thematic Depth: Truth vs. Fabrication
The novel interrogates the nature of memory and self-mythology. Hollis’s anecdotes—ranging from wartime exploits to artistic triumphs—are layered with contradictions, inviting readers to question what is recalled, what is embellished, and what is entirely invented. Mamet’s background in drama amplifies these themes, as the protagonist’s life mirrors the performative nature of identity.
Historical and Cultural Texture
Mamet weaves mid-20th-century history into Hollis’s personal narrative, touching on global conflicts, cultural shifts, and the evolution of art and politics. These backdrops are rendered with economical yet vivid detail, offering a rich sense of time and place without overwhelming the protagonist’s introspective arc.
Meta-Literary Playfulness
The book’s framing as a “recollection” allows Mamet to toy with literary conventions. Footnotes, digressions, and abrupt tonal shifts mimic the erratic nature of human memory, creating a reading experience that feels more like sifting through a fragmented archive than following a linear plot.
Weaknesses
Niche Appeal
Fans of Mamet’s theatrical works may find the novel’s lack of traditional dialogue and plot-driven momentum disorienting. The introspective, meandering style prioritizes atmosphere over action, which could alienate readers seeking his trademark verbal sparring.
Emotional Distance
While Hollis’s voice is compelling, his emotional detachment—a hallmark of Mamet’s anti-sentimental approach—may leave some readers craving deeper vulnerability or resolution. The novel’s ambiguity, though intentional, risks feeling unresolved.
Pacing Irregularities
Certain sections, particularly historical tangents, slow the narrative’s momentum. The fragmented structure, while artistically justified, occasionally disrupts immersion.
Thematic Contribution
Some Recollections of St. Ives stands as a provocative exploration of how we construct personal narratives. Mamet challenges the memoir genre’s pretensions to objectivity, arguing that all recollection is inherently fictionalized. The novel’s brilliance lies in its refusal to distinguish between Hollis’s “truth” and his inventions, mirroring the ways individuals curate their own legacies.
Conclusion
Mamet’s foray into literary fiction is a bold, cerebral triumph, though its experimental nature may polarize readers. Some Recollections of St. Ives rewards patience with its linguistic precision, thematic complexity, and sly humor. It is a novel that lingers—not for its plot, but for its piercing examination of how stories shape identity.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, David Mamet, for providing a review copy. This book reaffirms Mamet’s versatility as a storyteller, proving his genius transcends stage and screen.
Final Verdict
★★★★☆ (4/5)—A thought-provoking, stylistically audacious work that blurs the line between memory and myth. Ideal for readers who cherish language and ambiguity over tidy narratives.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Overview
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter David Mamet ventures into literary fiction with Some Recollections of St. Ives, a novel masquerading as the memoir of Charles Hollis, a fictional protagonist whose life spans continents, conflicts, and a storied career. Blurring the lines between memory and invention, Mamet crafts a narrative that is as much a meditation on storytelling as it is a character study. To be released in August 2025 by Arcade Publishing, this 264-page work showcases Mamet’s signature minimalist prose and sharp dialogue, now applied to the introspective realm of autofiction.
Strengths
Masterful Narrative Voice
Mamet’s sparse, precise language—honed through decades of theatrical writing—shines in this pseudo-memoir. The protagonist’s recollections are delivered with a rhythmic cadence, often punctuated by the abrupt, staccato pauses typical of “Mamet speak.” This style lends authenticity to Hollis’s voice, making his reflections feel both intimate and unreliable, as memories often are.
Thematic Depth: Truth vs. Fabrication
The novel interrogates the nature of memory and self-mythology. Hollis’s anecdotes—ranging from wartime exploits to artistic triumphs—are layered with contradictions, inviting readers to question what is recalled, what is embellished, and what is entirely invented. Mamet’s background in drama amplifies these themes, as the protagonist’s life mirrors the performative nature of identity.
Historical and Cultural Texture
Mamet weaves mid-20th-century history into Hollis’s personal narrative, touching on global conflicts, cultural shifts, and the evolution of art and politics. These backdrops are rendered with economical yet vivid detail, offering a rich sense of time and place without overwhelming the protagonist’s introspective arc.
Meta-Literary Playfulness
The book’s framing as a “recollection” allows Mamet to toy with literary conventions. Footnotes, digressions, and abrupt tonal shifts mimic the erratic nature of human memory, creating a reading experience that feels more like sifting through a fragmented archive than following a linear plot.
Weaknesses
Niche Appeal
Fans of Mamet’s theatrical works may find the novel’s lack of traditional dialogue and plot-driven momentum disorienting. The introspective, meandering style prioritizes atmosphere over action, which could alienate readers seeking his trademark verbal sparring.
Emotional Distance
While Hollis’s voice is compelling, his emotional detachment—a hallmark of Mamet’s anti-sentimental approach—may leave some readers craving deeper vulnerability or resolution. The novel’s ambiguity, though intentional, risks feeling unresolved.
Pacing Irregularities
Certain sections, particularly historical tangents, slow the narrative’s momentum. The fragmented structure, while artistically justified, occasionally disrupts immersion.
Thematic Contribution
Some Recollections of St. Ives stands as a provocative exploration of how we construct personal narratives. Mamet challenges the memoir genre’s pretensions to objectivity, arguing that all recollection is inherently fictionalized. The novel’s brilliance lies in its refusal to distinguish between Hollis’s “truth” and his inventions, mirroring the ways individuals curate their own legacies.
Conclusion
Mamet’s foray into literary fiction is a bold, cerebral triumph, though its experimental nature may polarize readers. Some Recollections of St. Ives rewards patience with its linguistic precision, thematic complexity, and sly humor. It is a novel that lingers—not for its plot, but for its piercing examination of how stories shape identity.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, David Mamet, for providing a review copy. This book reaffirms Mamet’s versatility as a storyteller, proving his genius transcends stage and screen.
Final Verdict
★★★★☆ (4/5)—A thought-provoking, stylistically audacious work that blurs the line between memory and myth. Ideal for readers who cherish language and ambiguity over tidy narratives.
August 25, 2025
Reading Some Recollections of St. Ives was like catching bits and pieces of a documentary series: what I saw is interesting, but I felt like I missed so much that I never really learned anything.
I do kind of like the book, but it would better suit a reader with more patience for its literary experiments.
Received via NetGalley.
I do kind of like the book, but it would better suit a reader with more patience for its literary experiments.
Received via NetGalley.
September 21, 2025
As a huge fan of the theatre, I felt incredibly excited to see this novel by David Mamet. He is a giant of the stage as a playwright - albeit a particularly eccentric and quirky one. Over the course of his career, he’s received multiple Tony Award and Academy Award nominations for his work as a playwright and film scripts. He earned a Pulitzer Prize for his play, Glengarry Glen Ross.
His politics have certainly shifted over the last couple decades, but nonetheless his mark on theatre and film cannot be ignored.
In Some Recollections of St. Ives, he writes a fictional memoir of Chales Hollis, reflecting on his decades-long tenure at a highly storied prep school. Mamet writes this memoir in short vignettes that nonetheless manage to reveal the essence of a man and his decades as an educator.
This is very much a Mamet piece - it can polarize his audience, and it's more than a bit odd. I greatly enjoyed it nonetheless.
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
His politics have certainly shifted over the last couple decades, but nonetheless his mark on theatre and film cannot be ignored.
In Some Recollections of St. Ives, he writes a fictional memoir of Chales Hollis, reflecting on his decades-long tenure at a highly storied prep school. Mamet writes this memoir in short vignettes that nonetheless manage to reveal the essence of a man and his decades as an educator.
This is very much a Mamet piece - it can polarize his audience, and it's more than a bit odd. I greatly enjoyed it nonetheless.
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews