A delightfully thoughtful yet comic coming of age experiences of a young jewish woman whose father sells mattresses in a crass commercials

I picked up this book not for my kids but for me. The artwork is wonderful and the story is quite endearing. It's about a couple who work in Kensington market (in Toronto) around the 1920's. The story tells of how they meet, fall in love and have a grand wedding. But they are simple market shop owners of simple means. How do their friends react? Won't tell you how it ends but it's an uplifting tale.

I would recommend this selection to anyone who enjoyed "Something from nothing", (award winning book).

First off, you should know that I am a writer myself ("The Legacy" (ISBN 0972005021), a historical mystery; "Ordinary Lives" (ISBN 09720050050, a collection of short fiction; "River Stories" (ISBN 0972005013), a collection of essays; and "Pigs, A Trial Lawyer's Story" (ISBN 097200503X). I feel it's important for other readers to know where a review is coming from. Having made that disclosure, I will also disclose that I had no idea who Cary Fagan was until I walked into the Coles Bookstore in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and picked up a copy of "The Doctor's House" from the discount bin. .... The stories, nearly all novellas in length, are quality fiction, with well crafted plots and subtle shifts in character that are the mark of a great writer. Only one story, "The Village Angel" was less than stellar. I found the ending flat. But given the quality of the other pieces, I'm willing to overlook a mild disappointment or two. All in all, a wonderful collection.

As someone who has lived in Russia for 2 years (St. Petersburg for 18 mos) I am disappointed in what would seem to be a shameless exploitation of Gogol. The title openly suggests a degree of familiarity with Gogol's "The Overcoat". But it is not. I am sure most, if not all, Russians, especially those in St. Petersburg, would be offended by the intent of the title of this book.

The story itself is okay. It's entertaining enough for kids. Change the title and maybe you get 3 stars. But to rely on such a cheap trick, as name association, diminishes any respect this story might otherwise receive.