Posted by Gail Hagen on August 02, 19102 at 21:27:09:
In Reply to: Penrod as social commentary and an adult book posted by Stephen P. Gross on February 28, 19102 at 08:41:32:
: I just read Penrod which I picked up at a thrift store and in a slightly mildew smelling condition. I remember that I loved these books as a boy, but remembered nothing about them. Now as an adult, I see so many deeper satirical insights about society in this book. He has an early depiction of black children that is perhaps not politically correct but full of love and insights for Heman and Verman! The aunt sees the reality of boys' life and not the idealizations. It is a dangerous book. The resentment of the parents of the rich and overbearing family is clear when the kids get a quarter for their "show" advertising the murderess' relationship with the first family of the town. The prissy minister gets his own. It is delightfully wicked and really deeper for adults than a children's book. I am sorry that it does not seem to be as well known today as it should be. I took a course once in adolescent literature and this book is nastier than some of the so called revolutionary novels of today.
: I look forward to the other Penrod novels that I only remember by title. Aslo, as a child of Hungarian Jewish immigrants in an industrial Connecticut town, I was introduced to "middle America" through these novels. The exotic name Schofield, the parents' middle cl values, the dancing school and the town gossip was an eye opener to me who later had a Presbytarian room mate in college. I'm sure Penrod helped me get along with him.