The Sunset Gang
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| The Sunset Gang | |
 2002 Stonehouse paperback edition |
|
| Author | Warren Adler |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel collection |
| Publisher | Stonehouse Press |
| Publication date | April 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) and (e-book) |
| Pages | 208 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 978-1-931304-52-8 |
| Followed by | Never Too Late for Love |
The Sunset Gang is a short story collection by Warren Adler.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
A series of stories centering around the Sunset Village retirement community in Florida.
[edit] Plot summary
Yiddish - This introductory story presents a late-blooming love affair between two members of the community’s Yiddish Club. Avner and Genendel very much love each other. They want to spend the rest of their lives together, but that entails leaving behind their respective spouses and facing ostracism from the community as well as their families.
Itch - Isaac “Itch” Kramer has recently moved with his wife to Sunset Village. He does not feel he fits in. His mind is consumed with memories of life in Brooklyn, the people who surrounded himself with and the good times they had. Itch soon discovers, in the most unlikely of places, the friends he needs. Suddenly the prospect of this retirement community is no longer so bleak.
An Unexpected Visit - This story stands out, as the main point of view is not of a member of Sunset Village, but of a son visiting his father. Harold Weintraub believes his father, Morris, views him as a disappointment. He visits his father rather infrequently and calls to check in even less. Harold has his own life and his own troubles, including a girlfriend who recently has become pregnant. It takes an unexpected visit to his father’s home to realize that their relationship is stronger than Harold believed. It also provides him with the insight to handle his relationship with his girlfriend, if only he acts soon enough.
The Detective - Both humorous and tragic, this story introduces Seymour and Bernice Shapiro, a couple who are surprised to discover their food is disappearing. Perhaps it is senility closing in, as they struggle to recall whether or not they had eaten the food assumed to be missing. But when that is not the case, Seymour, inspired by the mystery novels he reads, begins an investigation in order to discover who is stealing their food. The couple discovers they are not the only ones being robbed and the thief is very near to them. Even with the knowledge of the culprit, they cannot act on it, feeling pity for a person who is struggling to get by.
God Made Me That Way - Max Bernstein has always been a lover of women. He tried settling down once, but it did not take. He has since equated being with only one woman to death. But perhaps a woman like him is what’s needed to stay his insatiable appetite.
The Braggart - Unlike her peers, Molly Berkowitz does not have a family she can brag about. Her children are not successful and do not have lives worth bragging about. But they are still her children. In this tender story, Molly realizes the love she has for her children and the love they have for her is all she’d ever need to brag about.
The Demonstration - Feeling an urgent need to matter, Bernie Bromberg begins the Sunset Village Chapter of the Jewish Defense League. He plans a protest. Yet no one will take him seriously, not his wife, not the community, and not even the police when he tries to get the proper permits to stage a demonstration. He fears not having his voice be heard when that is exactly what may happen.
The Angel of Mercy - Another heartfelt story, the titular character, Yetta Klugerman, frequently visits those ill at the local hospital. She acts on her own accord, bringing candy and cheer to the sick. And possibly, she is not there to make the end more bearable, but instead, there to inspire the sick to get well and live more.
Poor Herman - Very much a companion piece to Yiddish, this story returns to the notion of a love affair. Frieda Goldberg has been a widower for some time. She’s content with that until a new couple moves into Sunset Village. She realizes the man was her first true love. Their parents had kept them apart. She no longer has such restrictions holding her back. Frieda is willing to be his mistress in order to have the love she once was forced to let go of.
The Home - The final story of the collection is a common one. Sophie Berger has lived alone for some time and is quite used to it. But all that changes when she breaks her hip. Suddenly, her children feel obliged to make decisions for her, and their general conscientious is to put Sophie in a home. She is not ready and not willing to go.
[edit] Major themes
The most prominent themes were aging and love. There is an underlying fear of death, but also a relief in knowing the hard part of life is over. There’s a sense of freedom in that respect. These characters are allowed to live and love as they see fit, as they have already fought life’s battles. As written, they exist to prove that even though they are elderly, they are not dead yet. They are just as entitled to everything the world has to offer.
[edit] Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
In 1991, PBS presented a three-hour miniseries based on the collection. The stories, Yiddish, The Detective, and The Home were adapted, with actors such as Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.
