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World Hotels - Up in the Old Hotel
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List Price: $16.95
Our Price: $11.53
Your Save: $ 5.42 ( 32% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Vintage
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Average Customer Rating: 
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780679746317
ISBN: 0679746315
Label: Vintage
Manufacturer: Vintage
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 736
Publication Date: 1993-06-01
Publisher: Vintage
Release Date: 1993-06-01
Studio: Vintage
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Editorial Reviews:
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Saloon-keepers and street preachers, gypsies and steel-walking Mohawks, a bearded lady and a 93-year-old “seafoodetarian” who believes his specialized diet will keep him alive for another two decades. These are among the people that Joseph Mitchell immortalized in his reportage for The New Yorker and in four books—McSorley's Wonderful Saloon, Old Mr. Flood, The Bottom of the Harbor, and Joe Gould's Secret—that are still renowned for their precise, respectful observation, their graveyard humor, and their offhand perfection of style.
These masterpieces (along with several previously uncollected stories) are available in one volume, which presents an indelible collective portrait of an unsuspected New York and its odder citizens—as depicted by one of the great writers of this or any other time.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: An observer of people
Comment: Mitchell, a well-known reporter, has filled a role in history that will always be remembered and loved by those who lived the life he wrote about.
The people in his stories are unique and have qualities some would find interesting. His writing is very descriptive and he captures countless details not understood or seen by the casual passerby. You can easily place yourself as a fly on the wall soaking in your surroundings.
If you read Up in the Old Hotel with literary merit in mind, then you will be in for a good dose of excellent writing by a standard of yesteryear. If you are looking for people who fit outside the box, you will surely find them. If you are looking for a glimpse of the past, then be prepared to journey back with a fine guide who didn't miss a thing.
There will be many of the older generation that will remember, with clarity, when Mitchell's writings first appeared and the impact they made. It is to this group that I recommend Up in the Old Hotel.
Though a brilliant writer, I was not drawn to his stories. For me they lacked the "snap, crackle, and pop" of today's aggressive writing style. If New York had been my home over the years, then I would have found a deeper appreciation and understanding for those who made up Mitchell's fine work.
Armchair Interviews says: From a man who knew how to observe and then put it down on paper.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Up In The Old Hotel by Joseph Mitchell
Comment: Joseph Mitchell, a fine writer for The New Yorker magazine, put together a wonderful grouping of short stories during his many years of searching out the people and interesting places in New York City which was his beat for many years. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a good story about ordinary people, or one of an interesting landmark s such as McSorley's Bar and the people who frquented it during the 1920's and 1930's. It has been at the same location since 1854 and is still there today. My favorites are the first story, The Old House At Home (about Mcsorley's) and Mr. Hunter's Grave, towards the end of the book. Many others are excellent and bring out the heart of the city and its people. To me it brought back New York as it was then with kids "roasting mickies" as I did as a child in New York. G. H. Owens
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great reading!
Comment: A book that covers the nooks and crannies of lower Manhattan. Oddball characters are brought to full
bloom under the author's pen. He knew how to listen! Towards the back some great essays on
growing up along the Carolina coast.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Essential New York Book
Comment: Are you going to visit "the City"? Have you been to NYC (and loved it)? Up in the Old Hotel was written before most of us were born but still delivers the savory secrets of this great metropolis. Characters abound who could only exist in NY. Meet them before you go. And be sure to eat a slice of Ray's pizza on Sixth Ave. and 11th Street!
Customer Rating:
Summary: This is the kind of writing that will outlast us all
Comment: Up in the Old Hotel is a masterpiece. I've read it so many times (it is my ultimate desert island book) and have yet to tire of it. The essays (and the few short stories that are included) are timeless, generous works of genius. Joseph Mitchell captures his odd and wonderful subjects as richly realized individuals, and appreciates the smallest of beautiful, dark and humorous nuances. His vision is presented so humbly and offhandedly, yet with absolute precision and so much respect. You truly feel a part of the experience. I'm not sure there is anyone who could write better. All of the essays are amazing, but my favorites are Mr. Hunter's Grave, The Old House at Home, Mazie, and Up in the Old Hotel. The short stories in Section II of the first book are heart wrenching. This book also makes a really great gift.
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