Joseph Joffo became famous with his book Un sac de billes (A bag of marbles), in which he recounts the story of his youth: how he grew up as a Jewish boy during the big war in France. In Simon et l'enfant (Simon and the Boy) the author returns to the same setting, but applies a fictitious story-line.

The story opens with an almost standard conflict between a boy and some sort of stepfather, but quickly turns out to work itself up to a higher level. Depictions of bitterness and misery are fluently interwoven with funny episodes that show that despite all people still value the small joys of life. The eternal opposition between good and evil is constantly present and Joseph Joffo is a master in bringing these all together in a book that reads like an adventure story, but still gives you enough subjects to think about.

Note: I read the original French version.

This 1979 novel by Josephy Hansen is written in a style that calls to mind the best of such writers as James M. Cain: less of a detective story or murder mystery than a hard-as-nails action novel, Hansen's prose is clean, unsentimental, detailed, occasionally witty, and somewhat bitter. The hero of the piece is a bit unusual, for Hansen's David Brandstetter is a gay man. Some readers may be put off by this, but it will be their loss, for it gives the novel an edge of interest too often lacking in the genre, and even the most demanding reader will have no complaint with the fast-paced, action-laced, and very gritty story. Recommended--if you can find it.

A great read for any player or coach who wishes to improve their understanding of the game and their skills or the skills of their team.