The Sum and Total of Now

by Don Robertson

It is the summer of 1948. Thirteen-year-old Morris Bird III lives in Cleveland with his parents and little sister. His mother aggravates him, his sister is a pain, and his father’s radio personality ego is out of control—as is Morris’s own body when in the presence of girls. But over in Columbus, his grandmother, Alice Anna Bird, is dying. She is the greatest influence on his life and cancer is stealing her away from him.
 
As his parents and aunts and uncles bicker over his grandmother’s belongings, young Morris distracts himself with the Cleveland Indians’ race for the pennant, Philip Marlowe stories, and the common daydreams of a teenage boy. But in the end, Morris must find courage and strength within to face the harsh reality around him—and the choices he must make . . . because he’s the only one who can.
 
“Brilliant.”—Stephen King
 
“Delightful.”— The New York Times Book Review
 
“Funny, sarcastic, touching, and, yes, nostalgic, this is a novel of character to be enjoyed by all ages.”— Library Journal

Genres: Fiction

290 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1966

About the author

Robertson was born in Cleveland, Ohio and attended East High School. He briefly attended Harvard and Western Reserve University (now Case Western Reserve University) before working as a reporter and columnist.

Robertson won the Cleveland Arts Prize in 1966. The Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature presented him with its Mark Twain Award in 1991. The Press Club of Cleveland's Hall of Fame inducted Robertson in 1992, and he received the Society of Professional Journalist's Life Achievement Award in 1995.

Robertson died on his birthday in 1999, aged 70. He's buried in Logan, Ohio.

Reviews

[Armando Turbiglio · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Don Robertson c’è tutto quello che penso del mondo. Ci sono le mie paure, i dilemmi, il senso dell’amicizia dell’amore, della vita, della morte e sopratutto dello scorrere inesorabile del tempo. Emozioni che non provo per nessuno scrittore. Non vedo l'ora che venga pubblicato il terzo e ultimo volume di questa trilogia e già so che sarà straziante...

[Pietro Caliceti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robertson ai suoi livelli migliori. La descrizione della partita di baseball è forse il più bel pezzo di letteratura sportiva che conosca, e il dormiveglia di Morris Bird III sul treno compete con Joyce

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the first of the Morris Bird III books (The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread), I was anxious to read the second. It did not disappoint! Morris's world is a mess but he's an intriguing character with a good heart -- which must have come from his dear beloved grandmother, since his parents do not make a good showing at all.

My only real complaint with this book is the absence of chapters, and the length of the paragraphs (seriously, a single paragraph can take 8 pages or more!). This style of writing makes it a challenge to find a stopping place when it is time to sleep.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

glad i have not diluted the meaning of 5 stars by using it often. this don robertson author is amazing in his storytelling abilities.
morris bird III is now about 13. going to watch a baseball game, about which i normally care little, is a great, rich experience. in 1948.
more than any other single thing, Morris Bird III's relationship with his grandmother, who is "the One", is so lovingly described, that it moved my heart wonderously.

[Ugo Tocci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Che piacere leggere i libri di Robertson? Schietti, essenziali, mai verbosi, penetranti e divertenti. Aspettiamo trepidanti il terzo episodio della vita di Morris Bird III

[Savannah Hendricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as great as The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread, but a good read, with funny moments and thoughtful meanings.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Don Robertson novel. This was probably thr third or fourth time reading this.

[Gordie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questo secondo volume della trilogia di Morris Bird III riparte quattro anni dopo l'avventura vissuta con la sorellina lungo le strade di Cleveland.
Siamo nel 1948 e l'ormai tredicenne ragazzo si ritrova per la prima volta al cospetto del mondo Falso degli adulti, qualcosa di inaccettabile e incomprensibile che lo destabilizza non poco, ma nel suo percorso di crescita e nel passaggio all'adolescenza, fa conoscenza, in maniera altrettanto devastante e nitida, anche con la Morte e con l'Amore, dove saranno immancabili i primi pruriti del sesso.
La morte imminente della nonna materna, "la Numero 1", figura imprescindibile e esempio assoluto per il Morris bambino, lo trova impreparato e destabilizzato, arrabbiato e deluso, creando confusione nel suo mondo finora scandito dalla normalità quotidiana.
Sullo sfondo della Cleveland del primo dopoguerra, tra il baseball (a cui Robertson dedica una buona parte del romanzo e lo descrive con una maestria e un trasporto che in passato ho riscontrato solo in Stephen King), il cinema e la scuola, Morris Bird III incontra anche il suo primo amore, quella Julie Sutton commovente protagonista di un altro romanzo, che ricambia un sentimento pieno di aspettative, folle, unico e dannatamente intenso.
Ritroveremo poi Morris e Julie diciassettenni e innamorati nell'ultimo, conclusivo romanzo: ma questa è un'altra storia.
Come nel primo capitolo della trilogia, anche in questa storia Morris Bird III si avventura alla fine in un viaggio solitario, prima in treno e poi in corriera, dove incontra personaggi a volte strampalati, ma di grande umanità e la conclusione sarà, come nel primo libro, uno "spettacolo pirotecnico".
La forza della penna di Don Robertson sta nella facilità e naturalezza di raccontare e descrivere ogni minima sfaccettatura del genere umano e restituirla al lettore come uno specchio che ne mette a nudo tutta la fragilità.
Non finirò mai di ringraziare il traduttore Nicola Manuppelli per averci dato la possibilità di godere appieno di questo immenso autore e prego in ginocchio la casa editrice Nutrimenti di regalarci in futuro altre sue opere.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen King was said to be inspired by author Don Robertson, and I can see why. In this novel, as in the previous adventure "The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread," the author paints scenes so vividly that the reader can be right there beside Morris Bird III experiencing every thought, sight, sound, and detail of the action. This book, as others in the series, are almost like movies or a TV series.

In this book, Morris Bird III, child hero of the Cleveland gas explosion disaster, is now 13. He is still trying to make sense of the world and how he fits into it. Sadly, his mentor "The One"--his grandmother is dying of stomach cancer in another town. Other events and conflicts arise in Morris's life and within his family. Another great boy and friend of Morris's dies; Morris's parents appear dysfunctional. But on a positive note, Morris is growing closer to his sister, Sandra, and has a girlfriend-- a "golden princess" Julie Sutton.

As in the first book of the series, Morris Bird III is off on an odyssey to clarify his values and his life situation. He travels alone by train to visit his dying grandmother, and again must do something heroic to calm the confusions about Love, Responsibility, Bravery, and the difference between Real and Fake.

Some parts of the book seem over-described, but even in those pages are found gems of wisdom and a wealth of humor, as in the style of Mark Twain. And anyone who remembers attending major or minor league baseball games with their grandma or traveling on passenger trains, will relive those experiences in the pages of this wonderful book.

[Thomas McDade · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And the tall trainman said: I wish I could explain more fully but I can't. I've read a great many many books in my time and all they've ever shown me is the rightness of acceptance. Do you follow me? And Morris Bird III said: I think so. And the tall trainman said: You're really quite a remarkable young man. And Morris Bird III said: No, I'm nothing. And the tall trainman said: Nobody's nothing. And Morris Bird III said: I hope you're right. And the tall trainman said: I am right."

The trainman judged Morris Bird III correctly.

[Judy Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite finished it yet but I can say this.This guy,Don Robertson is a really good writer For the first 15 page I was genuinely excited by his writing and then came the baseball riffs.Endless riffs about baseball.On and on and on and on.So? So no- only 3 stars. Could've been a solid 4 stars but really baseball?? I just skipped all those endless meanderings.
Other than that it could've been an excellent book.JM

[Daniel Polansky]

Morris Bird III, a child of 13 growing up in Cleveland in the 1950's, loves baseball, FDR, his grandmother, hates the Yankees and hypocrisy, struggles with sexual desire and the fundamental cruelty of human existence. A charming, thoroughly enjoyable coming of age story, although I could have done without the box scores. Still, lots and lots of fun, the voice here is, if not utterly original, still really perfectly done. I'm looking forward to the last book in the trilogy.

[Frances Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tutto cambia, tutto è in evoluzione...e questo non è d'aiuto a Morris Bird III e al suo sforzo di capire il mondo. Se poi, sotto i suoi occhi, è la Numero 1 - sua nonna - a esser protagonista di un orribile cambiamento, questo diventa inaccettabile! Bellissimo, secondo capitolo della trilogia di Robertson su questo ragazzino speciale e i suoi turbamenti. Romanzo di crescita e, come tale, appassionante nel suo dipanarsi di verità del vivere.

[Devonne West · Rating 4 out of 5]

The saga of Morris Bird III continues....
In this book we learn the major influence in Morris' life, his grandmother, is dying. At 13, his sister is more tolerable but he is now at the age where he sees the Fake in people's lives AND the Cleveland Indians are in a race for the pennant. It's another wonderful story about life in the late 1940's when life was simpler...but was it really?

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in 1966 by an author from Cleveland, Ohio. It takes place in 1948 in Cleveland and features an incredibly perceptive 13 year old boy. I enjoyed the observations of the 13 year old boy and the author's writing style.

[Camilla De Bernardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book where not much is going on, but also a lot does happen to our dear protagonist. The pains of growing up.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the further adventures of Morris Bird eye eye eye. Engaging and humorous.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second of three Robertson novels featuring the unforgettable Morris Bird III. Fans of the first novel, The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread were anxiously waiting for this recently re-released edition. It's been 4 years and Morris is now 13 - and experiencing everything that that entails. While the story does start out slow and the climax might also be easy for others to correctly guess, The Sum and Total of Now was certainly worth the effort. My eyes perhaps glazed over a little during the baseball discussions, but then they also did in real life during game discussions when my son was this age. This isn't quite as good as the first novel, but it has been said that it is more of a transition novel between the first and the third. The final novel in the Morris Bird III trilogy is The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened and it's also just been re-released.

If you've read and enjoyed The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread, you will have been introduced to Don Robertson's writing style. He does have sections where the writing is following Morris Bird III's thoughts and it's all stream of consciousness writing. While these sections could potentially bother some people, I haven't had a problem with them.
Highly Recommended - and let's face it, fans of the first will be reading it anyway
http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/

[Pep Bonet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a great fun of The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread and started its sequel with great hopes. But the character is older, not so naïve, the story tends to be less interesting and, annoyingly for an ignorant of baseball like me, there are pages and pages devoted to a ball game which I can't understand. It's a pity, because the last day, starting with his visit to Julie and following with his wonderful journey and the excellent ending, takes us to the great Robertson I had admired. Longing to read the third and last book: The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened.

[Chad Malkamaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look at life in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland in the year 1948. This coming of age tale looks at the teenage years of Morris Bird III, longing for female companionship, trying to figure out how to keep his face acne free, and general teenage hi-jinks in the post war period take up most of Morris' inner dialogue which is most of the book. Reading about Cleveland's past from this author, who was born and raised in Cleveland in the same neighborhood, and was a longtime movie critic for three different Cleveland newspapers, is an easy and fun read.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't as good as The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread. Too much baseball talk for me. There wasn't enough of a central story to keep me focused, it was a lot of jumping around with random happenings that I didn't much care for. The whole thing with the grandmother seemed too vague, whereas the journey to visit Stanley in the first book was a clear line. Still, looking forward to the last book of the trilogy.

[J.R. McLemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this book. I purchased it a long time ago and it sat in my reading queue for more than a year. I went into the story not knowing what to expect. However, once I got a feel for the characters and the vernacular of the time period, this story really captivated me. It's a coming-of-age tale and I was absorbed with the writer's style of story telling. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys these kinds of stories.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way this writer uses words. This story was a continuation of the saga of Morris Bird III and told about the trials and tribulations of thirteen-year-old Morris and how he learned to cope with loss.

[Lynn Pribus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love his Morris Bird titles. Wonderful writer whose books are still great so many years later.

[Scooterskitten Harrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spare yourself. Maybe I missed the point of this book lord knows.