CLEARFIELD – Betty Buckell delighted the audience at Shaw Library with her animated review of “Don’t Stop the Carnival” by Herman Wouk.
As with the previous reviewers in this year’s Books Sandwiched In series sponsored by the Clearfield Branch of AAUW, Buckell felt a personal connection with the book she chose to review.
Set in the 1960’s “Don’t Stop the Carnival” is the story of a disgruntled New York City press agent Norman Paperman, who decides to rewrite his life by purchasing a hotel on an island in the Caribbean and becoming an innkeeper.
Buckell shared with her audience that she herself had lived for a number of years in the Virgin Islands where she married a man who owned a hotel. It was evident as she spoke that Buckell could relate to the sometimes comic, sometimes tragic experiences of Paperman as he struggles to learn the ins and outs of being an hotelier on a Caribbean island.
Paperman’s island adventure gets off to a rocky start. The financial assistance he was expecting from tycoon friend Lester Atlas does not materialize. So Paperman sells his business in New York City to cover the check he has already written to purchase the hotel.
Having burned his bridges behind him, Paperman counts on the hotel bartender Thor to show him the ropes. But when Thor’s lady friend buys a yacht he immediately embarks for other shores.
His last reminder “Don’t forget the water barge!” is forgotten by Paperman until the cistern, which supplies the water for the hotel runs dry, leaving understandably unhappy guests. This was just one misadventure of many.
In a personal aside, Buckell recounted that every guest room in the hotel she and her husband owned had a copy of “Don’t Stop the Carnival.” She said they hoped that guests, after reading the book, would sympathize and understand when things went wrong at their own hotel!
In closing Buckell encouraged her listeners to read “Don’t Stop the Carnival” for “a good laugh, a good cry and to celebrate a good author.”
Herman Wouk is best known for his World War II novels: “The Caine Mutiny,” “Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance.” Wouk lived on St. Thomas for seven to eight years while he was working on his “war” books.
When he had writer’s block his wife suggested that he write about the Caribbean. “Don’t Stop the Carnival” was the result of that suggestion.
This year’s final Books Sandwiched In event will be April 20, 2016 at 7 p.m. Local author Judy Ann Davis will present “The Passionate Writer and the Indispensable Reader.” Davis has written a number of novels including her latest Four White Roses. Cookies and punch will be served following the program. A $3 donation funds the AAUW scholarship program.
Call Shaw Library 814-765-7614 for reservations and more information. Reservations for the evening program are not necessary but are appreciated.