Last Tango in Brooklyn

by Kirk Douglas

In this, his most satisfying novel so far, Kirk Douglas exhibits the brilliant versatility that he has showcased so vividly in his many decades as an actor. Here he tells the story of two ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances - circumstances that wait right around the corner for each one of us. Ellen, a small-town girl from upstate New York, is trying to make it as a modern woman in the big city. She is doing well in her career as the librarian of a large Brooklyn hospital, but her personal life is a mess. Her boyfriend, Richard, a world-renowned heart transplant specialist, is unfaithful. Her roommate has moved out leaving her with a mountain of unpaid bills. She is broke. Then she meets Ben at a screening of Last Tango in Paris. Ben, a fitness instructor, is twice her age, but he is a vigorous man able to challenge and out-perform men young enough to be his sons. A recent widower, Ben is frantically scrambling to find a temporary place to live, because his house in Flatbush has sold much faster than he expected. Ellen rents Ben a room, but what begins as friendly business relationship slowly turns into something more. Ben feels a surge of vitality in which passion knows no age and no limits. Ellen, full of life spirit, and mischief, seems his perfect match. Yet Ellen and Ben's startling and consuming affair faces a gulf even wider than the gap that separates May and December. Ellen's best friend is appalled, Ben's daughter, a psychologist, condemns their relationship as a Freudian nightmare. A terrible accident and then a mysterious death - which could be murder - threaten to doom their love. Soon, life's expectations shatter on the rocks of the unexpected. Roleschange in astonishing ways. Yet, ultimately, Ellen and Ben's love will prove stronger than reason - in a powerful finale than will haunt the reader long after he or she has closed the book.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch, ) was an American stage and film actor, film producer and author. His popular films include Out of the Past (1947), Champion (1949), Ace in the Hole (1951), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), Lust for Life (1956), Paths of Glory (1957), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), The Vikings (1958), Spartacus (1960), Lonely Are the Brave (1962),The Fury (1978) and Tough Guys (1986)

He is No.17 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male American screen legends of all time. In 1996, he received the Academy Honorary Award "for 50 years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community."

He was one of the last surviving actors from Hollywood's "golden age". He passed away on February 05, 2020 at the age of 103.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's probably a 3 star read, but since it was read by the author, it gets another star. Great man. Loved his movies & this is the second book I've enjoyed. His autobiography, The Ragman's Son, was even better.

This is a fiction book with a broad romantic streak. Not quite what I expected. If you liked Love Story, this is right up your alley.

http://www.kirkdouglas.com/ is the author's web site & gives a great thumbnail sketch of his career & life including clips from his movies. He's 97 & was still pretty active up until a few years ago.

[Susan Ecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would’ve guessed that Kirk Douglas could pen a novel that I didn’t want to put down! He wrote this book in 1994; I picked it up at the local library in St. Pete Beach in their “for sale” rack. I loved his characters and was thoroughly engrossed in the skillfully woven story. Sadly, I finished reading it tonight. I read his autobiography several decades ago and was also wrapped up in his personal story. What a guy!

[Diana Szaiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Până să primesc cartea asta, n-am știut că actorul Kirk Douglas este și scriitor publicat. Are chiar și fanii săi, numeroși, și pe bună dreptate.
Este o poveste emoționantă, cu o mulțime de aspecte grozave și, după cum era de așteptat, cu învățăminte despre prejudecățile greșite- tipic vremurilor în care a fost scrisă. Treci ușor peste ele.
Ben are aproape șaptezeci de ani, a rămas văduv de curând și își dedică viața sportului și alimentației sănătoase. Pasiunea din mariajul său s-a ofilit cu mult timp în urmă dar n-a fost preocupat de această latură până n-a întâlnit-o pe Ellen.
A treia parte din vârsta sa, un mod de viață dezorganizat și nesănătos, multe dintre principii contrare celor unui Ben tipicar și încăpățânat. Toate astea până cei doi devin colegi de apartament din dorința de-a trece mai repede fiecare peste pierderea sa.
Tot mai multe dintre aspectele vieții lor se împletesc și, în cele din urmă, ajung să descopere că de fapt celălalt este persoana care-l întregește. Ea nu este minoră, el este sportiv și asta se reflectă în fizic și mentalitate, n-a fost atât de greu să trec peste diferența de vârstă, chiar dacă-i atât de mare.
Toate-s bune și frumoase până Ben suferă un accident de elicopter și, odată ajuns în grija fiicei sale, conștientizează prăpastia dintre el și Ellen, nu atât fizică cât mentală. Că la separarea ilogică au stat în fapt orgoliul unei femei care se simte nedreptățită, cred că este lesne de dedus. Aici seamănă cu Cântec lin și aduce în atenție aceleași lupte dintre copiii maturi și adultii pe care-i consideră trecuți deja.
Cum anume se vor aranja căile celor doi în continuare depinde de maturitatea fiecăruia, de tăria de-a-și alege fericirea și puterea de-a pune binele celui iubit deasupra orgoliilor mărunte.
Este o poveste duioasă, faină și lacrimogenă. Gen Love Story ș-am plâns cu muci pentru nedreptatea situației. Dar a meritat fiecare pagină, sunt chiar impresionată.

[Andrea George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hidden treasure found at the semi-annual "Friends of the Library" book sale. I didn't know until I came across this novel, that Kirk Douglas was also an author. I wasn't sure what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. "Last Tango in Brooklyn" was a well-written novel. The characters were engaging, yet those of ordinary people, the plot was original, and the settings were well described. The ending left me wanting more. However, it worked for the storyline. I'll definitely look for more of Mr. Douglas' novels.

[Archie Santana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really wish Kirk Douglas hadn't had that stroke. I have absolutley no doubt this would have been made into a movie with him in the starring role. It's a book I can read over and over again. To date... my favorite book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been sitting on our library shelf for years. I finally picked it up and was able to finish it in two sittings. It is a well-told story, easy to follow. Good character development. Perhaps I should have rated it a 4.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is s romance, and a mystery, with reflections on homelessness and aging. Kirk Douglas was able to create interesting, vulnerable, sometimes flawed characters in a story that was both wonderful, joyful and sad-much like life. I really enjoyed the book.

[Toesnorth's mom]

good

[Irene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glad he never gave up his day job.