Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?

Terrific fun! Nostalgic look at a simpler time. "Shoes" is an Irish Catholic "Catcher in the Rye". I loved it

Being Irish Catholic and having grown up in the "big city" (Philadelphia instead of Chicago) myself, I have always identified better with Eddie Ryan than his famous WASP counter-part. Powers' charm is universal. A funny, tender, bittersweet coming-of-age tale. I recommend reading "Last Catholic in America" first.

This novel is extremely funny and well written. It is easy to read and does an excellent job at holding one's interest. The book does not follow one main plot, but is instead a collection of anecdotes, each chapter being a new story. However, this format does not detract from the overall quality of the book. Several of the characters are repeated throughout different chapters, therefore, they are still well developed. Also, although some characters are only present in one chapter, they are described in enough depth to take on their own personality. The author, John Powers, has a great sense of humor and enjoyable use of sarcasm. I found myself literally laughing out loud several times throughout the book. Every anecdote is full of humorous descriptions and mocking comments. Each chapter ends with a hilarious punch line; I could hardly resist sneaking a premature look at the last sentence. Powers also does a great job at creating characters with whom teenagers can identify. The stories are told through the eyes of the narrator, a teenage male in high school. Although the book was written over twenty-five years ago, I still found that I could relate to the narrator and that we share many of the same thoughts. Powers does an excellent job at getting into the psyche of a teenager and describing the world through the cynical, self-conscious eyes of an adolescent. Overall, this is one of the funniest books I have ever read. It flows nicely and I did not want to stop reading it. It is a great book to read to make one laugh and improve one's mood.

Like all Powers' books, this is so funny, it's easy to forget how well-written it is. Wonderful stuff I'll return to again and again. By the way, what ever happened to "The Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice Cream God"? I loved that one, too, and it's not on the list of Powers' books. Someone out there is missing out!

In the Catholic High School I attended in the late 70's and early 80's, my class was given this book to read as an assignment. I still have my original paperback copy and try to read it at least once a year. Anyone who grew up attending Catholic schools will find it hilarious and nostalgic.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! After reading this book for the second time, and enjoying it even more than I did the first time, I reccomend it to everybody who likes to laugh...no matter what religion. I want to but a copy for all my friends...especially the ones who loved parochial school as much as I did!