The Doorman's Repose

by Chris Raschka

Some of us look up at those craggy, mysterious apartment buildings found in the posher parts of New York City and wonder what goes on inside. The Doorman’s Repose collects ten stories about 777 Garden Avenue, one of the craggiest. The first story recounts the travails of the new doorman, who excels at all his tasks except perhaps the most important one—talking baseball. Others tell of a long-forgotten room, a cupid-like elevator, and the unlikely romance of a cerebral psychologist and a jazz musician, both of whom are mice. Because the animals talk and the machinery has feelings, these are children’s stories. Otherwise they are for anyone intrigued by what happens when many people, strangers or kin, live together under one roof.

Genres: Short Stories, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, New York, Animals

169 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2017

About the author

Chris Raschka is the illustrator of The Hello, Goodbye Window, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal. He is also the illustrator of the Caldecott Honor Book Yo! Yes?; Charlie Parker Played Be Bop; Mysterious Thelonious; John Coltrane’s Giant Steps; Can’t Sleep; and The Magic Flute. He lives with his wife and son in New York City.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very NYRB. If you like this imprint, you might like the stories of this book. For me, both series & book are a mixed bag.

The last, the title story, of this is ridiculous, at least in execution. I pity the residents of the big city if this is how they feel about 'connectedness' with a silly Degrees of Separation game. The story about Fred and fixing gravity is also, imo, insane.

I liked Victoria and her love of the building's plumbing. I very much enjoyed the love stories and the ones about mice.

And who knows, maybe you'll have an entirely different opinion. Maybe you'll focus on the charm of the writing style itself, or the illustrations, or maybe you'll identify with the setting. I just would rather reread The Cricket in Times Square.

Oh, and btw, my inner child agrees with everything I've said above.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love what Lemony Snicket says about this book:

"As we all know, it is very difficult to break into an apartment building and investigate the activities of its inhabitants. Luckily, Chris Raschka has managed to do this for us, so we may enjoy these marvelously intriguing stories without going to prison."

So pop the front cover open and enjoy the various glimpses at the the very comical and quirksome group of inhabitants of 777 Garden Avenue (and I say "inhabitants" because it's both people ... and mice... and even "things" that Raschka wonderfully characterizes.

I enjoyed it!

Ages: 8 - 14

Cleanliness: Alcoholic beverages are mentioned. Smoking is mentioned. The chapter entitled "Hot Water" has two men living in the same apartment together. They don't seem to be homosexuals but they did have an odd relationship as Mr Jones seemed to have anxiety problems (maybe?) and needed Mr Norton near to calm him.

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[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raschka is making his usual point with books, starting with "Yo! Yes? and A Ball For Daisy": connections matter if you are human (and apparently if you're a cat, mouse or a dog). He tells an old fashioned sort of story, that I could swear I've read similar as a young kid, that of people whose only connection is the doorman of the building they live in. It doesn't seem connected at first but every single story is about the value of connections, kindness, and love. In case you missed his point, he kind of hits you over the head with his last chapter titled "The Doorman's Repose".

Raschka makes his point and it is an important one, but I don't think his audience is going to make it through the book and understand his point. It is roughly grade 4 level in size, but I am not sure if kids that age will sit through apparently unconnected stories to the end. Perhaps fans of Louis Sachar will be able to stick with the story. Instead of handing this to kids (unless they adore Sideways Stories, etc by Sachar), hand the kid "Yo! Yes?". Having said this, it occurs to me it might be good for kids who have to read a certain amount a day since these are short stories and unconnected. Especially kids who do not like to read. Why? Well, at least they can get through a well told chapter pretty painlessly and pick up the book again the next day.

This is more of a 3.5-4 star title. I'll consider whether to round the stars up another time. Actually, if you consider the book adult, rather than juvenile, the 4 star rating would be fair. But I still think it is not going to appeal to many kids.

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 10 interconnected short stories share vignettes of life at 777 Garden Avenue, a classic apartment building in New York. From the resident opera singer to the mice in the walls, the original elevator to the boiler, all residents of the building, readers will be treated to their stories. Raschka's black-and-white illustrations add depth as well.

I truly enjoyed reading these stories--they are deceptively simple in their subjects, and yet the plots and characters are complex enough to keep even adult readers guessing until their ends. Highly recommended for children and adults who like gentle reads as well as families who want to read books together.

I read them one at a time during my breaks at work and they were perfect. The book itself is delightful--red fabric spine, colorful front, nice size and shape. This was one of the very best books I've read so far this year.

Parents might want to be ready to answer questions about the relationship between Mr. Norton and Mr. Jones in "Hot Water."

Addendum: An alert reader pointed out that alcohol shows up multiple times in these stories--wine sometimes, and the Doorman's Repose is actually a bar--it's always for adults and I think always in moderation, but still--some families may be surprised by it.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love short stories, this is a fun read! Kids and adults will enjoy the tales told at this apartment from the POV of the doorman, mice, people in the building; there's a secret room to be discovered, and stories about all sorts of everyday-ish items, even the local tavern gets a chapter at the end. Ok, so there's drinking and alcohol. Big whoop. Every family has a beer or bottle of wine occasionally! Even the kids recognize this. SO, kids 8 and up- and adults- will love these stories! They are intelligently written little gems by Chris Raschka with wonderful illustrations! If your only exposure to Mr. Raschka's works were Sluggy Slug, Moosey Moose, etc... you're in for a very pleasant surprise! The first books I ever encountered by him were that series, for babies I assume. Based on that alone, I would have avoided this book like poison, but I have sense discovered other books by him, that led me to this one. So give him a chance just in case you ran after the baby books.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a disappointment--not enough to earn 2 stars, but I had higher hopes for it. On the plus side, it felt very New York. On the down side, I'm not quite sure who the market for this is for. It reads like a set of New Yorker-ish charming, gentle short stories--it didn't feel like a kid's book at all (even allowing for the fact that NYC kids are perhaps more sophisticated than rural children, say). So it was a collection of pleasant-enough stories that would bore children but didn't have enough emotional or intellectual heft to really engage an adult.

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).

[GraceAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a genuine sweetness to this interconnected series of stories about an apartment building in New York City, its doorman, and its residents. There's more than a touch of whimsy and a tiny touch of magic, it's one of the very few titles that might really be for all ages. It contains black & white illustrations in Raschka's nervous and impressionistic style. It's a friendly and comforting read. My very favorite story was "Hot Water" in which a couple deals with the agita of one and the comfort of the other in an unusual but satisfying way. It involves tea, but also empathy.

[CharityJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up because I was intrigued by Raschka doing a chapter book. It's a slice of life about a NY city apartment building and it's residents. The chapters on people were just alright; the chapters about the building's critters I could've done without. I'm not sure what the point was- it wasn't funny, wasn't mysterious, wasn't cozy, it wasn't anything. Don't know how I'd sell it or to whom. Pass.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty delightful… sort of British in a nostalgic nyc kind of way

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: On his first day as the new doorman at 777 Garden Avenue, Mr. Bunchley was a little nervous.

Premise/plot: The Doorman's Repose is a collection of short stories set at an apartment building in New York City. The stories are "The Doorman," "Fred and the Pigeons," "The Opera Singer Inspection," "The Forgotten Room," "Mouse Exchange," "Otis," "Anna and Pee Wee," "The Boiler," "Hot Water," and "The Doorman's Repose." Two of the stories star mice, the rest star human characters of all ages. Each story offers readers something unique. Perhaps not every reader will love every story. But I think there's enough variety that everyone will find at least one story to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. And the good thing about a story collection is that if you're not enjoying one story, you can just skip to the next.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I think my favorite stories were "Otis" and "The Opera Singer Inspection." I also enjoyed "The Doorman," "Fred and the Pigeons," and "Anna and Pee Wee." I liked the unique perspective of Otis. The story isn't told exclusively from the point of view of the elevator, but, it is a main character. I liked that this story--like a few others--has a touch of romance in it. "The Opera Singer Inspection" just delighted me start to finish. I found it amusing.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly original and charming, The Doorman's Repose is a truly special book. Author Chris Raschka (well-known for his 2007 Caldecott winner The Hello, Goodbye Window) resurrected a long-forgotten format in the short story anthology; in fact, I cannot recall reading another short story collection for a middle-grade audience. If you grew up watching the Nickelodeon series Hey Arnold, the tone of this book is very similar: it takes place in New York, has a cutting-edge sense of humor, and features surprisingly sensitive storytelling. It follows miscellaneous tenants in an apartment building; they are all delightful and special. The story "Anna and Pee Wee" is perhaps my favorite: it's about a psychoanalyst and jazz musician who fall in love, but the surprise is that they're both mice! The similes are some of the weirdest but most creative I've read (a button on a woman's blouse is compared to a UFO in a sandstorm). While I don't think it'll receive any Newbery recognition, The Doorman's Repose is, in my opinion, deserving of five stars for its unique format and astonishing originality.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the old school style beautiful red spine binding to the very last story, The Doorman's Repose is wonderful! Raschka weaves the lives of the residents of a New York apartment building into this collection of interconnecting short stories. I laughed a few times and the story about the elevator nearly brought me to tears. Stories run the gamut from sweet to funny to mysterious to heart warming and feature the doorman and residents (including several mice, the elevator and the boiler!) and while, the book is realistic fiction, there are a few animal stories and many touch on the very edge of magical realism. Excellent short story collection for upper elementary, early middle school, and adults. Would also make an excellent read aloud.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A top quality, enjoyable book with great characters. It's actually a book of short stories that are closely related by means of having shared characters. Set in New York City, in this book the apartment building is one of the characters. It's a funny book. Not slapstick, but funny. And endearing. All of these stories were written for kids and explain things in a way that a kid could understand. However, the stories have a depth that appeals to grown-ups and any level that a kid can understand. Also, each story has an illustration created by the author, and the illustrations themselves won an award.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I'll ever outgrow reading juvenile fiction. This book, which is written and illustrated by the author, Chris Raschka, takes place in a New York City apartment building (probably rent controlled). Each chapter centers around a worker, a resident or even the boiler, which keeps everyone toasty warm in the winter, when fed properly. The book starts with the hiring of a new doorman and ends with the doorman, enjoying a cup of tea and conversation with fellow doorman after work at a local pub called the Doorman's Repose. The underlying philosophy of the neighborhood experience within this building is expressed in this final chapter. A quick and fun read for all ages.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of short stories - but all taking place in an apartment building and coming together at the end -- this is a unique children's book that I think is worthy of some awards. It starts with the doorman, goes through some history of the building and the ancestors of the builders and even has some animal action with stories about the mice who inhabit the building as well!
Very clever, all very likeable characters -- even the complainers. I liked it very much!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully quirky. This is a collection of short stories starring the tenants, employees, and animal life of an apartment building in New York City. The style lends an air of sophistication, almost like The New Yorker for children. I didn’t care for the story Hot Water (bizarre to the point of being disturbing), but overall I found this book entertaining and well written.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is cozy, warm, made me lol and is just plain lovely.

[Laraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting children's book. If you've ever lived in NYC You get what the authors writing about. He talks about doorman responsibilities and service to his tenants. Quirky old owners and kids - all kinds of interactions. It is not one story but each chapter is a short story.

[Maywoodbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inside peek at the goings-on of an apartment building- a bit of a Harriet the Spy feel. a more sophisticated writing style; a bit dry. I liked it but I think the average juvenile reader may struggle with it a little.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked this up, I was surprised to see it was published by NYRB, because they mostly do reprints... but now that I've read it I can see how it fits. Old-fashioned in a timeless way, even though set in the present.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept thinking that if I were bedridden or for some reason needed to have books read to me, this is just the sort of comforting collection of stories I would want to hear. That being said, the last one seemed a little weak...still, bravo Mr. Raschka!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Leonard Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Props to Chris Raschka for pulling off well a difficult feat of writing. But is there a readership for this?

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful book of short stories about the tenants of a building in New York City (including some mice and an elevator). Very enjoyable.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an odd book, but the stories are delightful. Lemony Snickett described it perfectly on the back...

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dawn, Central patron, August 2017, 4 stars:

Read this ahead for my 15 year old daughter...a very intriguing book! Really enjoyable...intend to find more by this author!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

some slightly odd stories, but mostly very charming.

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was adorable. What a sweet, funny little book of stories all set at the "craggiest" brownstone in New York City. Really enjoyed it.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very clever book full of charming characters. I can think of several adults who would enjoy it but I children would have a difficult time with it.

[Paul Bifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful blurring of the line between fiction and non-fiction. Loving tribute to a building in New York. Found the writing style different and interesting. A quick read.