Emma Who Saved My Life

Snappy. Fun. Funny. UNIQUE! Finally...something different to read! The dialogue is witty. The characters were amusing. The main character is so very clever; I like the "stream of consciousness" way about him. I am not one to read "long" books, however, all the moments in the characters' lives were ironed out in the craziest, most entertaining ways. I want to read more books like this. In fact, I purchased Show World by Barnhardt. I'm looking forward to the read!

Read this book! If you were in college in the '70s I know you'll agree with me that "Emma" captured the essence of that time better than anything ever written - ever. This is my favorite novel. It amazes me how often I find people who share the same opinion because Wilton Barnhardt is not so well known. This gifted writer should stop teaching and keep writing! All his novels are terrific, but "Emma" will always have a special place in my heart

This is far and away the most enjoyable book I have EVER read. I bought the hardcover in 1989, and over the years have re-read it many, many times. I even named my daughter "Emma"! It is laugh out loud hysterical, and deeply moving. You feel as though you are transported to NYC in the 70s and 80s, sharing experiences with these unbelievable realistic characters. I cannot stress enough how wonderful this book is, I have yet to find one I like as much, and I read A LOT of books-trust me!

I happened to obtain an advance galley of this book in 1989, when it was first published, and something made me sit down with it--I'm convinved that fate exists, as this is definitely among my "Top 5" fiction books of all time, and like other reviewers, I continue to give this hilarious book away as a gift to anyone I consider a good friend!I cannot do the wry and right-on-target observations and humor justice here, but I can *promise* that anyone who reads two chapters of this book will not want to put it down until it's finished, at which point they'll want to go back and read it again!