Breaking the Bank

by Yona Zeldis McDonough

A fresh and whimsical novel featuring a single mother in Brooklyn who suddenly discovers an ATM machine that gives her free (and unrecorded) cash; what she does with that money changes many lives—including her own.

Mia Saul is down on her luck. She’s been dumped by her husband, fired from her job, and forced to move with her ten-year-old daughter Eden to a crummy apartment. Juggling temp jobs, arguing over child support, and trying to keep Eden’s increasingly erratic behavior in check leaves Mia weary and worn out. So when a routine stop at an ATM turns into a stroke of luck Mia never expected, the results are nothing short of...magical.

Teetering between guilt and generosity, Mia takes advantage of her sudden windfall in small ways. She also develops relationships with a variety of neighborhood characters she ordinarily would never have crossed paths with—and turns her life around in ways she never thought possible.

Poignant, smart, and utterly captivating, this quirky "pay-it-forward" tale captures the everyday concerns of women everywhere.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction, New York

349 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn and many of my novels take place here. But my new novel takes place in New Hampshire, and I have woven into it a historical component: the tragic story of Ruth Blay, who in 1768 was the last woman hanged in the state. When I read about Ruth, I was fascinated and horrified in equal measure, and I knew I had to write about her.
I was educated at Vassar College and Columbia University, where I studied art history. But I started writing fiction in my 20's and never looked back. I am the author of seven novels, 27 books for children and am the editor of two essay collections. I'm also the fiction editor of Lilith Magazine . Please visit my website, http://www.yonazeldismcdonough.com or find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/yzmcdonough; I love to connect with readers everywhere.

Reviews

[Lori]

I waited anxiously for this book to show up after reading the synopsis. There have been plenty of books that I was jumping at the bit to read and perhaps because I felt such a build up and had such high expectations, the reality of the book fell short. Not so with Breaking the Bank.

This book works on all levels but the strongest parts of it are author Yona Zeldis McDonough's crisp, honest and witty writing and the character of Mia. Despite the unlikelihood and "magic" of an ATM giving out free money to one particular person, the balance of the stories in Breaking the Bank are brutally honest and steeped in realism. Our heroine, Mia Saul, lives in an old aparment building whose elevator has been broken for ages and who has a drug dealer, an elderly man who only seems to communicate with his dogs, and a family with both parents working at McDonald's as neighbors. Mia is a flawed character - - her husband left her for another woman and she is still alternately bitter and pained about it; she is in denial about her daughter Eden's difficulties at school and acting out over her father's leaving; she feels inadequate as both a parent and a wife; she has issues with her mother and her brother's family; and last but not least, she doesn't necessarily run back to the bank with the free money. But it's precisely these authentic flaws that make Mia such an easily relatable character, if not downright likeable. Without giving away a major plot point, Mia acts in a fashion that may not be exactly amiable but I still liked her throughout the book.

I found Breaking the Bank to be a light and yet astonishingly meaty read. I was quickly invested in Mia and her story and not only wanted to find out how the situation with the ATM resolved itself but I also wanted to know what happened with Mia herself.

I would recommend this book without reservation and without hesitation to anyone who enjoys a story with compelling characters, a difficult conflict to overcome and with a bit of magic.

[Marie]

Mia Saul is down on her luck. Her husband has left her, she's a single mom of a demanding 10-year-old picky eater, and she doesn't have a permanent job. One day she spends the last of her cash on a bag of gourmet groceries to try to get her daughter Eden to eat, and she leaves it on the sidewalk outside Eden's school. She goes to the ATM to get more money...and the ATM spits out ten times the amount she had requested. It's a magic ATM!

This book meandered quite a bit, and it seemed like the author didn't really know where it was headed much of the time. It's longer than it really needs to be, for one. Mia has fallings out with her brother, mother, and best friend...not to mention her ex-husband who is a complete ass. They all portray her as bitter and angry and treat her pretty horribly...and it's hard to understand why. She views herself a as a highly committed mom, but she can't even remember the name of her daughter's teacher. None of the characters really come to life very effectively, including Mia herself. She ends up spending the night in jail and hooking up with a surprising character. It's hard to understand her motives or her thought processes at times. And she's still heartbroken about her ex leaving her, even though he comes across as a jerk.

The concept of the book is intriguing, but it is not really effectively implemented into a satifying story. Then it's all tied up in an extremely happy ending. I finished the book, so I guess that's saying something, but I'm not sure I'd necessarily recommend it to anyone.

[Carla Ford]

This is a feel good story, something nice happening to a nice person. Mia Saul is having a really rough time. Her rat of a husband left her for another woman, and has become a sporadic father to the their ten year old daughter, Eden. She lost the job that she loved, and is trying to support herself and her daughter working temp jobs because she can't count on her ex-husband for child support. Her daughter is having a hard time coping with the divorce, and Mia has her hands full. She is a good mom to Eden, but she is blamed for Eden's problems by Eden's teachers, her ex-husband, and even her own family. When the ATM at her bank starts spiting out free money, at least her money worries are relieved. Of course, there is a whole new set of worries to go along with the free money. Why is she getting this money, and could she go to jail for keeping it? Mia knows that she should give some of the money she is getting to people who are in need, and she begins to find ways to use some of the money to help her neighbors. It was pleasant to read about Mia, an ordinary person dealing with life as best she can, finding herself in the middle of a real life fairy tale.

[Brenda]

What a fabulous read! This is a modern day fairy tale. A Mom who is having a hard time making ends meet but still gives to the poor when she passes them on the street. She finds her bank machine is giving her more money than she has asked for more than once. Of course she has a hard time deciding what to do when the machine at the bank gives her more money than she has asked for, does she spend it, will the bank find out, ..... You have to read the book to find out how she handles things!

There is more that adds to the story, but again, you'll have to read it to find out what those things are!

[Jennifer]

I could really relate to this story as I too am a single mother and my son was taken away from me as well. I felt shame, guilt, and confusion as to why people wouldn't try to support me rather than take my son away. Things certainly got better for me and my son is back with me but a bank mistake would have made things soo much easier! Of course that aspect was more fantasy.
An easy read that I would recommend to anyone.

[Jennifer Stout]

My life was very similar to Mia's. I could relate to many of the situations though not the money mistake. I think many readers would like this story because they would relate to many of the situations as well and want to know what happens next. Of course everything works out in the end but for some single parents it doesn't....

[Tricia Cassavaugh]

3 Cute book

[Lori]

An oldie but a goodie. Touches on women’s challenges in our society, sadly still relevant today. Yona’s humorous perspective and real Brooklyn references made this an enjoyable read.

[Sierra's Book Wanderings]

I had a hard time getting into this book in the beginning, but by the end of the book I was enthralled. Mia is a very likable character not only for her flaws, but because of her challenges. Her heartache after her breakup with her husband is real, so is the break up sex, which can happen, and then her new relationships that develop with Fred and Patrick. Fred is also a great character because he's not the perfect guy, but he's a great support to Mia without sounding like a unrealistic male character that books so often portray. He's real, kind, a bar tender, and falls for Mia and loves her for the person she is. The only questionable aspect is that he doesn't believe her about the machine, but I think he fully begins to understand after Patrick stirs up all of the magic for Mia at the end of the book when she has to reveal to the judge exactly how she got the 10 thousand dollar bill and how she got the rest of the money.

I love how magical this book was - like a machine would ever give you free money?! I love that she also gives part of the money away, which shows her good heart and the scene with the homeless man and how she resignates with him because she used to not have any money shows her heart of gold.

Her daughter is such a sweetheart and even though she feels pain from her parents separation she is loyal and fierce just like her mother. When her father tries to steal her away she won't stand for it because she wants to be with her mother so badly she starves herself - priceless.

Patrick is the healing aspect for Mia. She is able to be her complete self without feeling ashamed and bashful and even though their relationship is not one that is long lasting, it's more of a lustful relationship that heals. I think ultimately, even though the book leaves it up to us, Mia will end up with Fred because he is more of a practical guy who will stand by her side. Patrick likes to explore and has too many outside connections that control his life and could possibly allow danger.

The relationship between Mia and Patrick is enthralling and I couldn't help but like Patrick's character, it's so unique with his bad ass ways and it's almost like he is a Robert Den niro type and I love it. I think Patrick showed up for a reason - he was a part of the magic that healed Mia, allowed her to be herself and ultimately learn that she does not have to let circumstances control her, she can control her circumstances and make choices. He was the magic that went with the bank and the money that she received. "Use it well." The character development for her is outstanding and it ends a bit too happily with her book, house, and HBO movie, but I'm happy for her. I think she still will remain humble and it's great that she can give her daughter a home that she loves and deserves. Also - she becomes an editor full time which takes off of the stress of finances.

It's sweet how at the end Mia is there for Fred when his cat dies and then Mia begins to fall slowly in love with him again. My guess is that they end up together. The relationship that developed between their daughters is priceless and really Fred is a great guy who can be there for Mia and still be more human. He's everything that her ex was not and she needs that. This quote is my favorite:

" her heart ... was resilient in ways she would not have guessed. It was stretched, it was sore, but despite Patrick's silence, it was far from shattered."

[Gaby]

Synopsis:

Mia Saul lives with her ten-year-old daughter Eden in a fourth floor rental in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It's a neighborhood that they love with Prospect Park, the green market, the public library, playground, stores and eateries. Ever since her ex-husband Lloyd left, things have been difficult and it's all Mia can do to keep her head above water. Her beloved Eden has gone beyond vegetarian: the list of things that she refuses to eat grows larger every day. Plus, Eden has been getting into fights and all sorts of destructive behavior. Between losing her job, looking for contractual publishing gigs, meeting with Eden's teacher, therapist and school principal, Mia doesn't have time to look for love or make any large changes in her life.

After difficult parent-teacher talk, losing the week's groceries, and beating herself up, Mia drops by a nearby ATM machine and where she receives a windfall of cash. Though she worries that there must be some mistake, she keeps some, splurges a little, and gives some away. And Mia starts to believe that her luck is changing.

Book Review:

Breaking The Bank is sure to give magical did-I-just-read-that?! moments. The people and places in Mia Saul's neighborhood easily become real. It's not hard to imagine ten-year-old Eden trying to control the changes in her life with a growing love of Barney's, imaginary vacations, and her growing list of boycotted foods. Or sharing Mia's longing for the camaraderie shared with her brother Stuart before he became the Park Avenue corporate lawyer with the house in Greenwich, a corporate lawyer wife and two sets of blond, long haired twins. Or frustration with ex-husband from Phillips Academy and Princeton who, hit with sudden yellow fever, has money for splurges but irregular child support. Or growing fond of Mia's best friend, Julia, the generous and sage bartender with an extensive shoe collection. It's not just because I live in Brooklyn that the places and people that Yona'd described came alive for me, she paints a New York I would love to imagine living right under my nose. Tough, exciting, full of magic.

Publisher: Downtown Press (September 8, 2009), 368 pages.
Courtesy of the publisher.

[Kimm]

Breaking the Bank is an interesting story of a single mom’s struggles to find her place in the world after divorce. The story followed along pretty smoothly, although I’m curious as to the introduction of a couple of characters (namely Patrick and his sister) and their purpose in the plot. Probably could have done well enough without them and worked Mia’s best friend in a bit more. We all know, in tough times, it’s more often that you lean more on your best gal friend that find yourself randomly pursuing other..umm..interests.

Mia is a kind character, who despite her own problems, kindly shares her windfall with random people that she encounters throughout the book. This generosity is repaid to her in the end and all becomes well for her—as a means of Karma? I’m really not sure. I found the idea of an ATM randomly dispensing money somewhat fanciful and even after finishing the book, didn’t really understand why it happened to Mia. Was this supposed to be a divine intervention? Yup, still not sure. However, I did roll along with the story and accepted it for what it was. The book was not my favorite read of late, but it was fair enough and I would certainly try the author, Yona Zeldis McDonough, again if I came across another title. I think there is a great chance that someone will enjoy this book far better!

[Laura de Leon]

Overall, I liked this book, and there were a number of positive things contributing to this. Unfortunately, there were some down sides as well.

I loved the twist of the book-- an ATM that spits out extra money where it is needed, with the admonition to "Use it well". This was the heart of the book, and it was handled in an interesting and thought-provoking way.

Through the first half of the book, I liked the character of Mia. As the end approached, and she made more and more choices I didn't like,I started thinking that she was acting out of character. As I analyzed further, I realized that I'd projected too much on to her-- that she wasn't the person I'd thought. That was a strange feeling.

I never had a solid feeling for any of the other characters. The ex-husband was particularly flat.

In the end, I felt the author wrote herself into a box, and had to be creative in how to get out. I don't have a better idea on how the events should have resolved, but I was slightly disappointed none the less.

In the end, I enjoyed the book, but wished it had been a little more.

[Andrea]

I'm not really sure what I think about this book. On the one hand, I liked that Mia was gracious enough to always make sure to give some of the money she magically got away to people who needed it. On the other hand, it seemed so far-fetched that I was sure she was going to wake up and it was all a dream. And I'm not sure that I liked the ending either...it just seemed sort of weird and not right for me. And I didn't get her whole fascination with the Patrick character.

I did however like how the story was written. I felt that I really got to know Mia and I felt her pain over dealing with her ex-husband and having to struggle to make ends meet for her and her daughter. And I felt sorry for her when her family started to gang up on her. And I also liked the character of Eden. I like the way that she was portrayed as wanting to be so grown up at times, but was still really just a young child at others.

Overall, it was an interesting read and I sure would like my own magical ATM :)

[Yolanda]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I thought the idea of an ATM giving out "free" money was fantastic, but I didn't didn't like the direction that the story took.

I found it implausable that an ATM gave out a $10,000 bill. Seriously. I was able to get behind the whole she withdrew $100 and got $200 instead. Or she wanted $100 and got $1000. That sounds like something that could actually happen. But a $10000 bill? Please.

I also didn't like the Father of her child. He just rubbed me the wrong way. He was mentioned and my hackles just rose. Now that could be a good thing that McDonough was just able to convey that he was a douche, but that wasn't it. She didn't do anything to make him really unlikeable on purpose, in my opinion.

And another thing I didn't like was the whole Patrick story line. I think that he could have just been left out. I don't really see how he really added anything to the story.

[Laura]

When Mia, a divorced, down-on-her-luck-now-single mom, starts receiving strange messages and “free” money from her local ATM, life takes some dramatic and entertaining turns. Suddenly able to afford the basics -- and beyond, Mia doesn’t go absolutely crazy, but starts to enjoy the thrill of spreading her good luck around. The windfall gives her a different perspective on her ex, the dependable bartender who’s had a crush on her, as well as the mysterious but irresistible guy she meets in jail. Jail? Yes, there are consequences, but sometimes a drastic jolt of strangeness is just what we need to realize what’s important in life.

[Beth]

What a refreshing story idea! I thought that once Mia had found this machine, all her problems would disappear. I was surprised by each new twist and enjoyed the unexpected situations that arose throughout the book. I was unsure of Patrick X. Fitzpatrick and his role in the story, as well as Fred's mother Bev. After finishing the book and contemplating their presence I accepted tham as characters who added the element of magic to the story. I devloped a love/hate relationship with many of the characters and as they appeared I found myself cheering or cringing at what they were going to do next.

[Colleen]

I really wanted to like this book, and the characters within it, but I just couldn't find it in myself. I wanted to like the magic of an ATM dispensing free money, but I found the actions of the recipient so irritating as the novel continued that I wasn't able to simply sink into the narrative. She made so many bad choices, and was just so generally wishy-washy that I found myself reading just to finish rather than to enjoy. Though it started our strong and had an interesting premise, this is definitely not a good example of escapist chick-lit.

[Aimee]

This book was annoying. The whole premise is ridiculous, but most annoying was the main character Mia. Self described as "impulsive, emotion-driven, spontaneous", she's actually immature, selfish & mis-guided. I cheered for her family when they tried to set her straight. Her relationship with her daughter is the only decent relationship in the book and even that is extremely flawed. Mia is awful to her "best friend", boyfriend, brother, siser-in-law & mother. No wonder her life is falling apart.

Dumb book with a dumb characters. Glad to be done.

[Christina Vourcos]

It was interesting how much a magical ATM could change Mia's life. Though I'm not a mother her story is still relatable. Mia is in a difficult time in her life, and the money causes a few more difficulties. Overall the money causes her to change in a good way. I liked the end but there was a feeling of open-ending that I kind of wish there wasn't. Though the open-ending felt more real because it's like life, you don't really know what will happen in the future.

[Julia]

The whole concept was very original and unique but the story... it was bland and boring. There were some random parts that I felt were just added for pure shock factor, they had almost nothing to do with the overall story line. The characters were under developed and honestly the whole book just wasn't as good as it could have been.

[Heather]

Imagine going to the cash machine and getting 10 times the money you asked for and not have it deducted from your account. That’s what happened to the heroine in this book who is a single mom, living in a rough NY neighborhood, getting only sporadic child support and eking out a living with temp jobs. It’s a page turner.

[Talli Sharron]

I really liked the way she wrote, her crisp and defining descriptions of moments and feelings and atmospheres. I felt as if Mia was a real person that I really could relate to. SPOILER!! --- What I didn't like so much was the happy ending with everything wrapped up neatly. I felt happy for Mia that things were going much better for her, but the ending felt very Hollywoodish-montagey.

[Tim Owens]

Yona McDonough book Breaking the Bank is a fanciful story about an almost defeated single mom who comes across an ATM that starts handing her money that she doesn 19t have. How she uses the money and alters her life is the essence of the story. The ending is rather strange, but then remember the story is a fantasy. This is a very entertaining read.

[Amy]

I picked up this book because it had an interesting premise--the ATM gives Mia thousands of dollars each time she withdraws $100 and the message Use It Well. Of course it turns her life around and not always for the good. I like it and of course would love to find a magic machine like that!

[Katie]

magical atm (wtf?)
+
super obnoxious, unlikable protagonist
+
annoying overuse of commas & hyphens
+
unrealistic cast of side characters
+
way too perfect ending
______________________________________
a pretty awful book


Skip this one.

[Fredrick Ndori]

Its interesting, I like the way thye whole story flows. But the end is a bit disappointing, not the kind you would expect. At the last part where all the people had gathered around the machine, it should have jammed!! Or even refused to work and add on to the plot. All the same.... not bad.

[Julie]

Read my review http://molcotw.blogspot.com/2009/10/b...

[Lisa]

I just couldn't get into the idea of a magical ATM and I thought the characters were not as well-developed as they should have been.

[Andrea]

I posted my review @ http://13r3asonswhy.livejournal.com/2...

[Jennifer]

This was the first time I had read a book by this author. I really enjoyed the story, it was something different for me. I'll probably be checking out other books by this author.