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The Astonishing Life of August March
In this enchanting first novel, an irrepressibly optimistic oddball orphan is thrust into the wilds of postwar New York City after an extraordinary childhood in a theater—Candide by way of John Irving, with a hint of Charles Dickens.
Abandoned as an infant by his actress mother in her theater dressing room, August March was raised by an ancient laundress. Highly intelligent, a tad feral, August is a true child of the theater –able to recite Shakespeare before he knew the alphabet.
But like all productions, August’s wondrous time inside the theater comes to a close, and he finds himself in the wilds of postwar New York City, where he quickly rises from pickpocket street urchin to star student at the stuffiest boarding school in the nation.
To survive, August must rely upon the kindness of strangers, only some of whom have his best interests at heart. As he grows up, his heart begins to yearn for love—which he may or may not finally find in Penny, a clever and gifted con artist.
Aaron Jackson has crafted a brilliant, enchanting story at once profound and delightfully entertaining. Like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The World According to Garp, and Be Frank with Me, this razor-sharp debut—a classic tale of a young innocent who finally finds his way, reminds us that everyone can find love. Even August March.
Abandoned as an infant by his actress mother in her theater dressing room, August March was raised by an ancient laundress. Highly intelligent, a tad feral, August is a true child of the theater –able to recite Shakespeare before he knew the alphabet.
But like all productions, August’s wondrous time inside the theater comes to a close, and he finds himself in the wilds of postwar New York City, where he quickly rises from pickpocket street urchin to star student at the stuffiest boarding school in the nation.
To survive, August must rely upon the kindness of strangers, only some of whom have his best interests at heart. As he grows up, his heart begins to yearn for love—which he may or may not finally find in Penny, a clever and gifted con artist.
Aaron Jackson has crafted a brilliant, enchanting story at once profound and delightfully entertaining. Like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The World According to Garp, and Be Frank with Me, this razor-sharp debut—a classic tale of a young innocent who finally finds his way, reminds us that everyone can find love. Even August March.
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First published April 7, 2020
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April 1, 2020
A beginning that in itself seemed improbable, maybe even astonishing - that his mother could give birth in between scenes of a broadway play and go out immediately after the play to meet a Hollywood producer. Maybe not so astonishing that she would abandon him. That happens. Astonishing that he could evade the actors and crew as Miss Butler, the theater’s Laundress, could hide him in the theater and “raise” him there while she did her laundering duties and left him there when her work for the day was over. An astonishing beginning and it was astonishing that it seemed believable to me even if it seemed unbelievable at times. What was not astonishing was that I would love August, care about him, worry about him in the times that he was hungry and alone, homeless without any understanding of how to live out of the theater he lived in since birth. All he had was a pseudo mother and part time friend in Sir Reginald Percyfoot, a stage and film actor. Yet, August had gumption and ingenuity and intellect, and figures out a way to survive his lonely, homeless and often hungry existence. I loved the post war New York setting of this wonderful debut novel. An amazing story of resilience and hope. Actually, an astonishing story of resilience and hope and an unforgettable character.
I received an advanced copy of this book from HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
I received an advanced copy of this book from HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
January 26, 2022
August March was born backstage at a Times Square theater during intermission and deposited by his mother into a basket of soiled blouses. The elderly theater laundress, Eugenia Butler, discovered the infant and elected to raise him in the theater, hidden away from its other inhabitants until he was too big to hide. That took about three years since the self-involved theater folk weren’t too perceptive. He was given some casual tutoring by Sir Reginald Percyfoot, a British actor. When forced to finally leave the theater, August entered a life of petty crime, interrupted by a sojourn at a snooty boarding school.
What could have been a Dickensian sob-fest has instead been turned into a charming and often hilarious novel. The writing is clever, witty, snide and decidedly unsentimental. It was written by someone who seems to know and love New York, the theater and acting. Maybe it’s just that the author’s sense of humor happens to coincide with mine, but I loved this book and would be happy to read more by this author. I preferred the parts of the book that covered August’s childhood and adolescence. The description of his post-boarding school years at times seemed a little rushed. I listened to the audiobook version and the narration by Joel Froomkin was brilliant. 4.5 stars
What could have been a Dickensian sob-fest has instead been turned into a charming and often hilarious novel. The writing is clever, witty, snide and decidedly unsentimental. It was written by someone who seems to know and love New York, the theater and acting. Maybe it’s just that the author’s sense of humor happens to coincide with mine, but I loved this book and would be happy to read more by this author. I preferred the parts of the book that covered August’s childhood and adolescence. The description of his post-boarding school years at times seemed a little rushed. I listened to the audiobook version and the narration by Joel Froomkin was brilliant. 4.5 stars
September 7, 2020
The theater held no secrets to August March.
“No corner went uncharted, no ladder unclimbed. He knew every inch of the place and could scale a rope or even a curtain with feline liquidity”.
“The boy was born in the Scarsenguard Theater on West Forty-Third Street during the intermission of ‘These Dreams We Cherish’. His mother, Vivian Fair, had just flawlessly delivered a rousing speech that concluded act 1. As soon as the curtains touched the boards, thunderous applause still ringing in her ears, Vivian waddled backstage, closed the door to her dressing room, and delivered, not a stirring
monologue, but her son. She plopped the screeching, slimy creature into a basket of soil blouses, severed the umbilical cord with an eyelash curler, and was back in the wings just in time for places, a consummate professional”.
People who were raised in the higgledgy-piggledy maze that is theater, found the rational absurd, disorienting, and often offensive.
August March knew all of Shakespeare’s major soliloquies, and more than a few of his minor ones.
The adventures of August March are endless...with oddball characters inside the theater and on the streets of New York City.
I’d been wanting to read this book for some time.
It has so much heart, humor, warmth & personally,...
...with similar charms of John Irving’s ‘Owen Meany”, and Charles Dicken’s ‘Oliver Twist’.
A boy who loved theater, and reading above all other activities....August was accustomed to the night life.
He was taught about the detestable, condescending, sanctimonious, self-satisfied-holier-than-thou *morning people*.....
August learned that while attending a prestigious private school - for gifted boys — there were crotchety elders— friends in abundance — and new collected experiences.
The transition from Scarsenguard orphan to street thief had hardly been a smooth passage, but nothing compared to the shift from street thief to proper school boy.
The boys at the school were harder for August to relate to than Shakespeare’s King Lear ...
a play steeped in violence, storms, and swords.
August was getting older. He met a girl named Penny. Each one found the other distracting — they decided to mix business and pleasure together and managed a joint enterprise.
When Penny wasn’t around, he was sad, missed her terribly. He loved her....
“Why had he let himself fall for her? The pain he felt when another man was in the picture, was unbearable—-
but this story has a happy ending....
August, a child of theater.....
was
a
romantic...💕
and
dramatic. 🎭
GREAT READ!!
glad I didn’t miss it!
“No corner went uncharted, no ladder unclimbed. He knew every inch of the place and could scale a rope or even a curtain with feline liquidity”.
“The boy was born in the Scarsenguard Theater on West Forty-Third Street during the intermission of ‘These Dreams We Cherish’. His mother, Vivian Fair, had just flawlessly delivered a rousing speech that concluded act 1. As soon as the curtains touched the boards, thunderous applause still ringing in her ears, Vivian waddled backstage, closed the door to her dressing room, and delivered, not a stirring
monologue, but her son. She plopped the screeching, slimy creature into a basket of soil blouses, severed the umbilical cord with an eyelash curler, and was back in the wings just in time for places, a consummate professional”.
People who were raised in the higgledgy-piggledy maze that is theater, found the rational absurd, disorienting, and often offensive.
August March knew all of Shakespeare’s major soliloquies, and more than a few of his minor ones.
The adventures of August March are endless...with oddball characters inside the theater and on the streets of New York City.
I’d been wanting to read this book for some time.
It has so much heart, humor, warmth & personally,...
...with similar charms of John Irving’s ‘Owen Meany”, and Charles Dicken’s ‘Oliver Twist’.
A boy who loved theater, and reading above all other activities....August was accustomed to the night life.
He was taught about the detestable, condescending, sanctimonious, self-satisfied-holier-than-thou *morning people*.....
August learned that while attending a prestigious private school - for gifted boys — there were crotchety elders— friends in abundance — and new collected experiences.
The transition from Scarsenguard orphan to street thief had hardly been a smooth passage, but nothing compared to the shift from street thief to proper school boy.
The boys at the school were harder for August to relate to than Shakespeare’s King Lear ...
a play steeped in violence, storms, and swords.
August was getting older. He met a girl named Penny. Each one found the other distracting — they decided to mix business and pleasure together and managed a joint enterprise.
When Penny wasn’t around, he was sad, missed her terribly. He loved her....
“Why had he let himself fall for her? The pain he felt when another man was in the picture, was unbearable—-
but this story has a happy ending....
August, a child of theater.....
was
a
romantic...💕
and
dramatic. 🎭
GREAT READ!!
glad I didn’t miss it!
March 19, 2020
The show must go on! During the intermission of a performance at the Scarsenguard Theater located on West Forty-Third Street, New York City, Vivian Fair birthed a baby boy she promptly placed in a basket of blouses. Ms. Fair was "back in the wings just in time for places...the play over...[while] removing her wig...the baby's cry...She'd nearly forgotten...A producer...in the audience tonight. From Hollywood!" The year, 1933.
Eugenia Butler, the theater's ancient laundress, discovered the baby while gathering the starlet's untidy garments. "Using a discarded brassiere, Eugenia Butler fashioned a papoose for the child and carried him...crooning half-forgotten snippets of lullabies...". Later, she left the newborn in a crib in the prop closet and headed for home. She decided to keep him.
How could she hide the child she named August March? For starters, she convinced the self-absorbed actors, stage managers and crew that August's cries were those of a "randy tomcat". At age three, August was becoming "insatiably curious". To keep things under wraps, Eugenia cooked up a plan. She dressed August in a period costume and covered him in flour. The Legend of the Scarsenguard Theater 'Spirit' was born. "...He's here...He comes at night...years ago a young boy died in this very theater."
Being raised in the theater, August learned to talk from watching plays and adopting a way of speaking based upon the works of Wilde, Shakespeare, and Ibsen. His favorite play was King Lear with lead actor, Sir Reginald Percyfoot. Upon meeting August, Sir Reginald found the precocious six year old to be "A charming child with such a breadth of knowledge of the theater". He was determined to start August's schooling by providing him with "a miniature library of mostly classic books for new readers". Eugenia Butler, laundress and Sir Reginald Percyfoot, actor extraordinaire were August's "so called parents" but August's residence was the theater.
In 1942, August's life would abruptly change when Mr. Barreth, owner of the Scarsenguard Theater,
contributed to the war effort by allowing the theater's backstage to be converted into a soldier's recreation center. "The Backstage Bistro" provided August with new and exciting learning experiences, however, soon Mr. Barreth would make a decision that would be devastating to August's well being.
In true Dickensian style, August March's journey was a daily struggle. He had to live by his wits, battling for food, shelter and a direction in life. He wore many different hats, some legal, some not so much. Would August land on his feet?
"The Astonishing Life of August March" by Aaron Jackson is a fantastic debut novel. August was a very likable, but flawed character who was dealt a difficult hand in life. Eugenia and Sir Reginald loved him in their own way, however, did not provide August with what he needed most. This tome was an excellent read I highly recommend.
Thank you HarperCollins Publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Astonishing Life of August March".
Eugenia Butler, the theater's ancient laundress, discovered the baby while gathering the starlet's untidy garments. "Using a discarded brassiere, Eugenia Butler fashioned a papoose for the child and carried him...crooning half-forgotten snippets of lullabies...". Later, she left the newborn in a crib in the prop closet and headed for home. She decided to keep him.
How could she hide the child she named August March? For starters, she convinced the self-absorbed actors, stage managers and crew that August's cries were those of a "randy tomcat". At age three, August was becoming "insatiably curious". To keep things under wraps, Eugenia cooked up a plan. She dressed August in a period costume and covered him in flour. The Legend of the Scarsenguard Theater 'Spirit' was born. "...He's here...He comes at night...years ago a young boy died in this very theater."
Being raised in the theater, August learned to talk from watching plays and adopting a way of speaking based upon the works of Wilde, Shakespeare, and Ibsen. His favorite play was King Lear with lead actor, Sir Reginald Percyfoot. Upon meeting August, Sir Reginald found the precocious six year old to be "A charming child with such a breadth of knowledge of the theater". He was determined to start August's schooling by providing him with "a miniature library of mostly classic books for new readers". Eugenia Butler, laundress and Sir Reginald Percyfoot, actor extraordinaire were August's "so called parents" but August's residence was the theater.
In 1942, August's life would abruptly change when Mr. Barreth, owner of the Scarsenguard Theater,
contributed to the war effort by allowing the theater's backstage to be converted into a soldier's recreation center. "The Backstage Bistro" provided August with new and exciting learning experiences, however, soon Mr. Barreth would make a decision that would be devastating to August's well being.
In true Dickensian style, August March's journey was a daily struggle. He had to live by his wits, battling for food, shelter and a direction in life. He wore many different hats, some legal, some not so much. Would August land on his feet?
"The Astonishing Life of August March" by Aaron Jackson is a fantastic debut novel. August was a very likable, but flawed character who was dealt a difficult hand in life. Eugenia and Sir Reginald loved him in their own way, however, did not provide August with what he needed most. This tome was an excellent read I highly recommend.
Thank you HarperCollins Publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Astonishing Life of August March".
May 13, 2020
4.5 stars.
Aaron Jackson's The Astonishing Life of August March is utterly charming and delightful.
August March took his first breaths in a New York City theater prior to World War II. Born to an actress during the intermission of her play, she abandoned him amidst her soiled costumes. He was found by an elderly laundress, who becomes his de-facto mother, but knowing that she wasn't truly the maternal type, she nurtures him when she's at work, but leaves him to spend his nights in the theater.
August is a wild but intelligent child, one who speaks in Shakespearean monologues and is prone to dramatic declarations because he grows up watching every theatrical production. At one point he even befriends an English actor who played King Lear. He knows what makes a good production and what makes a disastrous one, and he's more than happy to share his opinions.
But August knows nothing of the outside world and doesn’t know how to interact with people, and when his time in the theater comes to an end in the days after WWII, he must make his way in the world. His life is a continued adventure, from pickpocket to prep school student, drunkard to high-stakes con artist. But while he may have companions, he always feels alone.
Yet despite the adventures, the highs and lows he experiences through his life, August longs for some sense of normalcy, for people to care for him. He thinks he may have found that with Penny, but is it for real or is she going for the ultimate con herself?
I thought this was such a fun, enjoyable book, and the characters are truly memorable. This was a special story which would make a fun movie, because August was so fascinating.
The Astonishing Life of August March is one of those books that sticks with you. I definitely wished it were longer.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Aaron Jackson's The Astonishing Life of August March is utterly charming and delightful.
August March took his first breaths in a New York City theater prior to World War II. Born to an actress during the intermission of her play, she abandoned him amidst her soiled costumes. He was found by an elderly laundress, who becomes his de-facto mother, but knowing that she wasn't truly the maternal type, she nurtures him when she's at work, but leaves him to spend his nights in the theater.
August is a wild but intelligent child, one who speaks in Shakespearean monologues and is prone to dramatic declarations because he grows up watching every theatrical production. At one point he even befriends an English actor who played King Lear. He knows what makes a good production and what makes a disastrous one, and he's more than happy to share his opinions.
But August knows nothing of the outside world and doesn’t know how to interact with people, and when his time in the theater comes to an end in the days after WWII, he must make his way in the world. His life is a continued adventure, from pickpocket to prep school student, drunkard to high-stakes con artist. But while he may have companions, he always feels alone.
Yet despite the adventures, the highs and lows he experiences through his life, August longs for some sense of normalcy, for people to care for him. He thinks he may have found that with Penny, but is it for real or is she going for the ultimate con herself?
I thought this was such a fun, enjoyable book, and the characters are truly memorable. This was a special story which would make a fun movie, because August was so fascinating.
The Astonishing Life of August March is one of those books that sticks with you. I definitely wished it were longer.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
April 7, 2020
My goodness how I loved this little gem of a book. It’s witty and laugh out loud funny and a little absurd and a lot weird in the BEST possible way.
And oh is it full of lovable and quirky characters. As soon as I saw that the blurb compared it to Be Frank with Me I knew I would love it.
I had no idea what to truly expect when I cracked this book open and I’m not sure I can even properly describe it. I just adored it. My sweet spot in reading is a lovable, zany story filled with quirky and endearing characters. This one fit the bill 💯.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thanks to Harper for gifting me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
April 7, 2020
Born in a theater, thrown into a clothes basket, and found by the laundress.
August March grew up in the theater and was told to never leave the theater because someone would see him and send him to an orphanage.
August made the best of his life in the theater, learned math and reading from one of the actors, and one day did venture out. He didn't like being in the world.
One day, though, he had no choice. There was no one left for him, and his beloved theater was torn down. August had no where to go and had no idea who he really was.
He slept outside, had little to eat, and connected with unsavory characters who were thieves and con artists. Surprisingly he always stayed positive. One day we find him as the class scholar at an elite boarding school and in charge of the school plays.
Once he graduated, he was unemployed and back to wondering what he would do with his life. He didn't want to do office work or work in a shop so he decided to just wait a few months to decide.
His life until he decided to work was to just relax. While relaxing he received sad news that his best friend and so-called father had passed and he was the sole heir.
After his relaxing time, he still couldn't decide what to do so he decided to return to his previous life that helped him survive. That previous life was a life of crime, but crime on a classier scale this time around.
Even though August was quite a scamp, you won't want to stop reading about his life and his adventures.
THE ASTONISHING LIFE OF AUGUST MARCH is delightful as well as heartbreaking.
It is amazing how August made his way in life.
August will definitely make his way into your life too.
A totally enjoyable, different read. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
August March grew up in the theater and was told to never leave the theater because someone would see him and send him to an orphanage.
August made the best of his life in the theater, learned math and reading from one of the actors, and one day did venture out. He didn't like being in the world.
One day, though, he had no choice. There was no one left for him, and his beloved theater was torn down. August had no where to go and had no idea who he really was.
He slept outside, had little to eat, and connected with unsavory characters who were thieves and con artists. Surprisingly he always stayed positive. One day we find him as the class scholar at an elite boarding school and in charge of the school plays.
Once he graduated, he was unemployed and back to wondering what he would do with his life. He didn't want to do office work or work in a shop so he decided to just wait a few months to decide.
His life until he decided to work was to just relax. While relaxing he received sad news that his best friend and so-called father had passed and he was the sole heir.
After his relaxing time, he still couldn't decide what to do so he decided to return to his previous life that helped him survive. That previous life was a life of crime, but crime on a classier scale this time around.
Even though August was quite a scamp, you won't want to stop reading about his life and his adventures.
THE ASTONISHING LIFE OF AUGUST MARCH is delightful as well as heartbreaking.
It is amazing how August made his way in life.
August will definitely make his way into your life too.
A totally enjoyable, different read. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2022
To quote the author, this book can best be described as a "quirky, coming of age, comic story". As I was reading it, sometimes I thought of it as a farce and sometimes as a satire. The humor is often dark.
August March himself is an unforgettable character who grew up in unimaginable circumstances. As soon as he was born, his disinterested actress-mother left him in a theater where he was found by the theater's ancient laundress, Ms. Butler. Rather than taking the infant home with her, Ms. Butler let him stay in the theater, sporadically taking care of him. How he managed to survive is a real question.
The author has wicked fun with following August through the years. Jackson's writing is rather stylized as is August's speech. After being immersed in watching dramatic plays, August tends to speak as an actor on stage would. As an example, August might say to someone he dislikes, "You are a feckless scoundrel, sir!" At one point, after August's launching into a long soliloquy, his girlfriend Penny tells him, "August, speak like a person."
There are twists and turns to the story. How August goes from being a neglected boy to spending a few years as a teen in a wealthy boys' boarding school to becoming an experienced thief, I'll let you discover for yourself. For me, the best part of the book is August's relationship with his partner in crime, Penny. I love her sassy personality.
August March himself is an unforgettable character who grew up in unimaginable circumstances. As soon as he was born, his disinterested actress-mother left him in a theater where he was found by the theater's ancient laundress, Ms. Butler. Rather than taking the infant home with her, Ms. Butler let him stay in the theater, sporadically taking care of him. How he managed to survive is a real question.
The author has wicked fun with following August through the years. Jackson's writing is rather stylized as is August's speech. After being immersed in watching dramatic plays, August tends to speak as an actor on stage would. As an example, August might say to someone he dislikes, "You are a feckless scoundrel, sir!" At one point, after August's launching into a long soliloquy, his girlfriend Penny tells him, "August, speak like a person."
There are twists and turns to the story. How August goes from being a neglected boy to spending a few years as a teen in a wealthy boys' boarding school to becoming an experienced thief, I'll let you discover for yourself. For me, the best part of the book is August's relationship with his partner in crime, Penny. I love her sassy personality.
January 3, 2020
A fun romp of a novel! I fell in love with the author's voice before I finished the first marvelous tongue-in-cheek chapter. A starlet gives a breathtaking performance in a pregnancy-hiding hoop skirt, waddles off stage, gives birth alone in her dressing room, leaves the child in a basket of dirty laundry, and is back on stage for curtain call. She goes to an after-party with a clear conscience, thinking "someone will find the child and care for it."
She's right. An elderly spinster laundress finds the baby and cares for him. Sort of. She loves him, but not enough to take him home and disrupt her own life. He grows up in the theater. His astonishing childhood is the best part of this novel, although his further adventures as a New York street kid in the 1950's, his teen years at an exclusive prep school, and his unconventional adult years held my attention through every page.
As I said before, it's Aaron Jackson's voice that makes the life of August March so astonishingly entertaining. The same story told in a slightly different way would be a tragedy, but Jackson allows not one moment of self-righteous pity or melodrama. Instead, we smile and chuckle as August March triumphs against all odds. The ending is perfect.
April 11, 2020
I finished this book and immediately *clutched* it to my chest as soon as I was done, that’s how dearly I loved it. And I only finished after forcing myself to pause after each Part, lest I devour the whole thing in one sitting. Aaron Jackson has penned one of the wittiest, silliest, most charming reads I’ve come across in a while. A love letter, particularly to the theatre and to New York City as well, I earnestly laughed out loud & shed tears reading alone in my room. This book is for everyone, but for a person with a knowledge of theatre history, or any life experiences in NYC, it is really something specifically wonderful. The characters are sweet without being saccharine, the story is fantastical without losing its grip on the reality it’s created, and the ending is the perfect bittersweet. 10/10. Read when you need joy.
May 3, 2023
Picaresque tale about the colorful life of an orphan. Born to and abandoned by an actress at the Scarsengard theater in New York, he is reared by the theater’s laundress who names him August March. Reginald Percyfoot, one of the actors, teaches him to read and write (and quote Shakespeare). When the theater is torn down, he must survive on the street, where he meets several con artists. Percyfoot intervenes to get him enrolled in a boarding school, and his fortunes change. He finds himself at loose ends upon graduation and uses his theatrical background to forge a rather unconventional lifestyle. His love life is a comedy of errors. It is written by a comedian and is (mostly) light-hearted, with a good dose of humor. August’s life is an eclectic mix of theater, thievery, and debauchery. I can only wonder whether any of this was inspired by a book I read last year, Saul Bellow’s classic, The Adventures of Augie March. I did some research but could find no definitive links (the obvious connections are that both are picaresque and both protagonists lead unconventional lives). It is not too deep but definitely entertaining.
September 13, 2020
Another easy read, with another quirky character, called by Goodreads, “ an optimistic oddball orphan.” And I was immediately drawn in by the synopsis of this story with the unbelievable tale of the humble beginnings of August’s life. Geez, my second book in a row with the lead character spending his life wandering aimlessly trying to find happiness and a family. All is well that end’s well. A good read that can take you away from all the balls we are juggling these days.
May 25, 2020
Just no.It´s not delightful,nor charming, nor a romp. Tries too hard to be John Irving (an author I love),and falls flat.One of those books where you can see the "stitches" at every page. Awful.
December 1, 2020
This is a charming and delightful read filled with the quirkiest and most colorful cast of characters I've encountered in a while. Although preposterously ridiculous in the most comical way, it is rather whimsical and endearing.
April 10, 2020
This book!
When I started reading this book, I thought, 'this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.' But I stuck to it. I mean, how does a woman give birth, cut the umbilical cord with eyelash curlers, and go back out on the stage to finish the show? She did not even miss her cue.
At the end of the show, she had even forgotten she gave birth until the baby made some noise. Then she discovers there was a Hollywood producer in the audience, so she decides she is not ready to be a mother and just abandons the baby to the theatre.
I mean, how ridiculous is that? But I kept going, as if my brain was saying, "Come on, Michelle, hear the author out." I'm telling you now, I was on the very last page of the book (which I read in a day, completely unheard of for me) when I realized that the author had me hooked on that first ridiculous page.
Well done, Mr. Jackson!
This book is for those who love the theatre, especially former and current thespians. I mean, in a way, I think all of us who acted and loved it, would have found being born in a theatre and spending your childhood in it to be a complete dream come true. This is only August March's beginnings. It is only the beginning of his story in his search for a true place to call home.
When I started reading this book, I thought, 'this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.' But I stuck to it. I mean, how does a woman give birth, cut the umbilical cord with eyelash curlers, and go back out on the stage to finish the show? She did not even miss her cue.
At the end of the show, she had even forgotten she gave birth until the baby made some noise. Then she discovers there was a Hollywood producer in the audience, so she decides she is not ready to be a mother and just abandons the baby to the theatre.
I mean, how ridiculous is that? But I kept going, as if my brain was saying, "Come on, Michelle, hear the author out." I'm telling you now, I was on the very last page of the book (which I read in a day, completely unheard of for me) when I realized that the author had me hooked on that first ridiculous page.
Well done, Mr. Jackson!
This book is for those who love the theatre, especially former and current thespians. I mean, in a way, I think all of us who acted and loved it, would have found being born in a theatre and spending your childhood in it to be a complete dream come true. This is only August March's beginnings. It is only the beginning of his story in his search for a true place to call home.
March 22, 2020
(Why named so similarly to Saul Bellow's Adventures of Augie March? It made me think this might be a retelling or an homage to that work, but no; the only similarity being the main character was male and the timeline spanned his childhood to adulthood).
In NYC, a baby is abandoned in a theater and loosely raised by the theater's elderly laundress, (she goes home at night and he sleeps at the theater). As a boy, he never leaves the theater, and is mentored by a Shakespearean actor. In reality, he's an orphan, and his life becomes hardship after the real estate owner determines the fate of the theater building.
August faces sadness and loneliness, but there's levity, and the narration zips along. This is a fun, oddball gem.
The theater setting and the amusing romp element reminded me a little of City of Girls. The misadventures-of-a-boy element reminds me of Last Bus to Wisdom. One of my favorites of 2020.
In NYC, a baby is abandoned in a theater and loosely raised by the theater's elderly laundress, (she goes home at night and he sleeps at the theater). As a boy, he never leaves the theater, and is mentored by a Shakespearean actor. In reality, he's an orphan, and his life becomes hardship after the real estate owner determines the fate of the theater building.
August faces sadness and loneliness, but there's levity, and the narration zips along. This is a fun, oddball gem.
The theater setting and the amusing romp element reminded me a little of City of Girls. The misadventures-of-a-boy element reminds me of Last Bus to Wisdom. One of my favorites of 2020.
August 3, 2020
This book was delightful, even when it got heavy as it often was. It was witty, wry, and wonderful and all the comparable alliterations of praise! This was a love letter to New York theater, which I am desperately missing in these crazy times. In fact, I found out about this book & author during an Instagram live early on in quarantine and he made me laugh so much during such a scary time that I just knew I had to read his book; and it never ceased to make me laugh either! Reminiscent of a modern day Great Expectations’ Pip meets the spirit of the writing & Harry Potter himself, this was a fun, quick romp that completely satisfied!
December 21, 2020
I am sad the book is over!
Aaron Jackson only takes his tongue out of his cheek to switch cheeks. The language and playfulness is really the star of this novel. I often found myself laughing at the wording, August's over-the-top phrasings.
Nonetheless, I cared a lot about August and his welfare. I wish I could have seen his production of King Lear.
Aaron Jackson only takes his tongue out of his cheek to switch cheeks. The language and playfulness is really the star of this novel. I often found myself laughing at the wording, August's over-the-top phrasings.
Nonetheless, I cared a lot about August and his welfare. I wish I could have seen his production of King Lear.
April 17, 2020
The blurb says this book is “Candide by way of John Irving, with a hint of Charles Dickens.” I'm not totally sure, but you can find out what I thought of this fun debut novel in my #bookreview on my blog here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/04/1...
April 13, 2020
ALL THE STARS THAT EVER SHONE GO TO THIS BOOK! This has earned a spot on my favorites shelf and is now my favorite read of the year! I cannot say enough good things about this story and the amazing narration. Stay tuned for my full review!
June 27, 2020
I think it just wasn’t my thing. I didn’t find a lot to like about August March but I found a lot to like about his pseudo parents. I kind of lost interest once he hits adulthood.
December 20, 2021
This book was super witty, fast-paced, a quick and delightful read. I was captivated by August a few pages in and was even more so with every new part of his life, from growing up inside of the theater to his numerous petty crimes, and everything in between.
June 11, 2025
What a delightful, creative little ditty this one is!! I feel entertained by the language, the humor, the emotion, all set in midtown Manhattan in the 1950's -1960's. If you are a theater geek, a Shakespeare geek, a NYC geek, or a language geek, you will love this book. Even if you don't fall into these geek categories, you will be thoroughly entertained. All I can say is Mr. Aaron Jackson.....you MUST write a sequel to this book! I want more! Kudos!
September 30, 2022
I envied August's mother for walking out of this book on page 4 and not having to suffer through the rest of it like I did.
May 8, 2020
This was, as they say, a delightful romp. The plot is not great, and there are WAY too many coincidences , but I enjoyed every minute of it because the author has a great writing style. The story of August March, a baby abandoned by his starlet mother and raised by the laundress in a Broadway theater, is told in the third person by a narrator who is sarcastic, witty and clever. I laughed out loud at some lines. The story feels almost Dickensian, in its scope and because of the many lively characters that populate the pages. If you listen to it as an audiobook, this feeling is increased by the fact that the narrator has a theatrical British accent. This choice - considering that the story has only one British character in it, and takes place only in NYC and its suburbs - says that the author did intend for this story to have a Victorian era feel to it. Anyway, I will happily pick up Mr. Jackson's next book as his writing is delightful.
May 16, 2020
I’ve loved and been inspired by Aaron Jackson’s improv/appearances on comedy podcasts for years now and was so looking forward to this book, and it was everything I hoped for and more. This is like reading your favorite storybook from childhood, but someone gave that storybook a cocktail and exposed it to campy movies. So much fun to read. Do yourself a favor and read this. Once you’re done, watch Fuck That Shit’s UCB Cagematch videos on YouTube to be even more in awe of Aaron.
November 11, 2019
As a lover of theatre, early 20th century New York City, and a touch of camp, I feel like this book was written for me. I love the central character and the relationships he manages to forge in the course of his unusual life. It has heart in addition to a rollicking, sharp wit. I found this book very charming indeed.
April 3, 2020
What a brilliant story, entertaining and well written.
It made me laugh and I loved August. The historical background is vivid and well researched, the plot flows and the cast of characters is interesting and well thought.
I look forward to reading other stories by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It made me laugh and I loved August. The historical background is vivid and well researched, the plot flows and the cast of characters is interesting and well thought.
I look forward to reading other stories by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
December 16, 2020
This book makes me think Aaron Jackson hates women - every female in the book is stupid or petty or horrible in some way. The story was mediocre, the plot implausible in a way that strained willing suspension of disbelief, & the shitty way women are portrayed constantly made me roll my eyes.
April 19, 2020
An absolutely delightful romp
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