Dough: A Memoir

What a thoroughly enjoyable and leisurely stroll through the life and recollections of CPA turned lawyer turned writer Mort Zachter. Mazltov he gave it up with the law thing, like we need more lawyers already? We need more people with soul and skill and a voice like this to keep alive the stories, the traditions, and yeah, the faith. I am not particularly devout, but this book touched maybe an ancestral part of me that is not usually so easily accessed. Except by, maybe, Mickey Katz? Here are the recollections of Mr. Z as he describes growing up in New York, but it's all about the Store- the small bakery in the Lower East Side. But the life of the store is the men whose lives it was- his uncles Joe & Harry. This is a look at a way of life that is all but disappeared. It's about the legacy of Joe and Harry- both financial and emotional, as Morton takes on the responsibility of settling the affairs of the uncles, discovering the vast wealth they had managed to accumulate, and the nearly impenetrable mysteries of two men it seems no one really knew. The book swings between those two windows of his life as he flows from a memory to a moment and then back again. It is difficult to talk about a book such as this without feeling a personal involvement, and trying to do justice to the material. Some memoirs have left me totally untouched, a very few drew me in as if I was an old friend or a relative. I felt this way with "Dough", I am the same age as Mort and I might be hearing the story of a far-flung second cousin from when before Zeyde and Bubbe came to America. You never know! Growing up in a suburb I never had the "colorful" experiences of Mort's childhood, if you want to look at it like that- but now I was able to vicariously enjoy a childhood I couldn't have even imagined. It was easy to feel and taste and smell those times, he has a way of writing that goes right from the eyes to the heart. He does not put anything there but what it was, in a way that allows the reader move into those moments and decide for himself. I had to take a few pages to catch the rhythm of "Dough", both in the style of alternating chapters by alternating the present and the past. Once I did, I was enmeshed. It also took me a few more pages to turn on a little dialect in my head, and suddenly I enjoyed it more tenfold. There is something about hearing that New York/Yiddishe accent that, like salt in chicken soup, changes everything. As the secret clues of the hidden lives of the Uncles are uncovered, the mystery almost deepens. We are left not with many answers, but the feeling that sometimes knowing everything- like having everything- is nothing. There is so much more I would like to tell you about the book, the insights, the way he captures poignant moments like an artist- but then, it would turn into another book. Just go buy this "Dough". (I have to add, it fits comfortably in the hand and is nice to look at.) And by the way, the Store is still alive and

The story of a family that is used by two uncles that seem to be able to work their relatives for excellent wages, absolutely nothing. The year's progress and the nephew works his way through college without financial help from any of the family. Many years later he finds the facts of his two uncles and their secret hidden throughout the years. He is shocked. The story continues going back and forth from childhood to an adult. as his life continues the total hatred begins to grow into an understanding of a immigrant families slow crawl into becoming Americans. The lower East side of New York is emphasized well. The colorful people of the community shine with their work ethic and honesty. Included are those with some criminal intent in their makup and how they all meld together. The story is warm with closeness of neighbors and family. What can be asked by people may at times seem incredible but more so are the facts that we usually agree to follow these requests. Sometimes for a lifetime. A well written memoir that I recommend.

This is one of the best books I've read in some time. The author is truly gifted. He writes like a novelist as he eloquently delves into the complicated issues of money, family, inheritance, and acceptance. I especially like how he skillfully alternated chapters. He deftly mingles the long ago past with the more recent past and creates a compelling mystery. He writes as a clear-eyed adult grappling with the difficult issues of aging parents and relatives, supporting his family, and determining the best career path. He also also writes about the nostalgic memories from his childhood. It all comes together and creates a book that is poignant, heartbreaking, and profound. I will be recommending this book to my friends.

This book grabs you from the beginning. And you will want to read the rest of it to put the pieces together. It is told with humor and sensitivity. You sense that Mort may not have understood or accepted the motives of his family at first but he does his best to show you how he has come to terms with them and remembers them fondly and has compassion for their oddities. Highly recommended.

This is a beautifully written book. You will read about Mort Zachter's life in a Jewish family in New York with a sense of suspense: are all the secrets out? Are they all revealed? From the perspective of a child growing austere life in Zachter's family things seem pretty normal. For the aduld Zachter,.the post mortem examination of the characters and the details must be emotionally challenging.How does one live with the "what ifs" ?(like money for a private college,or mortgage?) how does one deal with conflicting ambivalent feelings towards his beloved/selfish hoarder uncle ? an uncle whose very sickness made Zacher wealthy! How do you understand all other family members who colluded in keeping the secret and living the lie? The writing style is very clear and the narrative pleasing and easy to follow.God works in mysterious ways: Would Mort ever become a writer if it wasn't for Uncle Harry? ( I think he probably would still be practicing tax law in New York...) I highly recommend this book!