Friedman is a treasure of a writer, chronicling the post WWII generation, specifically in the 60's and 70's. Quite a few of his stories became movies. A truely inspired collection.

Really nice touch with words, always funny at his own expense and someone who has grown old as an author without turning into an old fud. Most of these stories were written for magazines over the years and it's really neat to watch the voice change and expand. I wish he would take his Promethean self-indulgent alter ego of the '70s, Harry Towns, represented here with several stories, and write a full-length treatment on that character in the '90s. Friedman is a class act--too bad more people don't pick up on him. At least he made some dough writing for Hollywood--hope he still has some left

Stern is perhaps the funniest book i have ever read. it has incredible depth and, at the same time, has remained true to the humerous aspect of the story.

Bruce Jay Friedman wrote the screenplay for several movies including "Splash". His book, "Stern" is the story of a man named Stern who has forsaken New York City for a home in the suburbs with his family. Things in paradise quickly collapse when a neighbor yells a slur at Stern's wife and knocks her down. Stern is overcome with a mixture of guilt, fear, anger and dementia. His attempts to confront the neighbor (as well as his own fears) lead to an endless paranoid mind-game and Stern's eventual physical collapse. Yeah - I guess this sounds sort of sad - BUT I guarantee you this book is HILARIOUS!! As in all of Friedman's books - the world of "Stern" is seemingly normal but filled with ridiculous and comic elements. Stern's attempts to face his neighbor, to convince himself that he can "take him" are really funny. I can not recommend this book highly enough. If you have ever felt persecuted or if you are neurotic AT ALL - this is the book for you.

Harry Towns is right out of the mouth of James Brown: "I'm a Greedy Man." He is a man who can feel sympathy for a wealthy coke dealer but want to smash in the head of a someone who tries to discipline his son. Harry Towns is a New Yorker who learns to appreciate LALA Land..he is open to experiences...he is open to coke, whores, various neuroses, random acts of violence, random acts of cowardice, all the while following a strict code of rules set up for the governance of Harry Towns...in a strange way like a noble bandit in a western, Harry Towns is governed by his own set of rules, which upon this reader's reflection are just, wise, humane and if a touch selfish serve to keep the bandit sane in a world of totalitarian, brutal, evil, materialistic and vacuous Good Citizens.

Even the Rhinos Were Nymphos celebrates the literary achievements of author Friedman, who is known for his novels and screenplays and whose journalistic insight into contemporary life makes for an excellent series of literary essays. These works appeared in literary and mass-circulation magazines over the last four decades and provide fine, pointed observations of modern life.

It's a shame that this is out of print, because it's the funniest book I've ever read. Nothing funny really happens in the book; the humor all lies in the droll narration. It's really unbelievable.

I read this back in the early 60's when I was about 14 or so. I am still laughing. You will not believe the way this guy writes.It is indescribable. If you are lucky enough to come upon a copy, buy it. You will be so glad you did. Bruce Jay Friedman is a national treasure. His take on life is at first glance quite askew..but, upon further reading, you will find that he "writes" like you "think." I've never experienced this with any other writer. Check out his other books, as well...especially the Lonely Guy's book of Life.

Starring the incredible talents of Jason Alexander and Edward Asner, this 93 minute, one-cassette, audio theatre production of Bruce Friedman's Steambath also features the narrative talents of Mary Gross, Ruben Sierra, Arthur Hanket, Gerrit Graham, and Paul Mercier. Directed by Robert Robinson, Steambath is the metaphysical story of unique and unforgettable characters in the steam room of a bathhouse and their engaging discussions of their lives, dreams, and desires. Steambath is as entertaining as it is thought provoking, and with its excellent technical production values, a welcome addition to any personal or community library audiobook collection.

Paul Gurney, Bruce Jay Friedman's protagonist in his comic novel Violencia, torn by his recent divorce and suffering from a mid-life crisis of sorts quits his day job as clerk for the New York Homicide department and editor of a homicide newsletter. While adrift in his search for himself and a new job, Paul is recruited to write a musical play about a homicide department. Norman Welles, a composer who has read Gurney's newsletter feels he will be the perfect author of such a play. Gurney lets himself be convinced and he is off on his quest for fame and fortune along Broadway.

Gurney who is a novice, fits easily into the role of although he is rudderless and easily mislead. He quickly finds himself surrounded by strange and interesting characters, and quite at home with them. There is Norman Welles a composer who seems to think that an opening number for a homicide movie should be a light romantic number which is about Paris in the off-season. Gurney's personal hero is director Clement Hartog who comes with the extra baggage of a mother who must be in each of his plays. Essie Hartog, Clement's mother an aging star who performs all of her roles on stilts will play the detective bureau chief. Then there is the unlucky producer Undertag who has never had a successful Broadway play. It makes perfect sense that Gurney will fit right in with them.

The descriptions of the behind the scenes work on the play are intriguing. Of special interest is the passages about the songs which Welles had ineptly prepared for the musical. Odd scenes as restaurant odors offending playgoers, dancers on stilts and telegrams from the dead add to the humor of the novel.

Friedman has a talent for creating strange characters, and amusing situations while providing commentary on philosophy and life. Paul Gurney, who begins working on the play directionless and insecure seems to gain perspective and confidence working on a project which seems doomed from the start. This is not a novel of great depth nor was it meant to be. It certainly is an amusing way to spend an afternoon. I have only one question, where is the CD?

I just have to balance the one (positive) review with one of my own. As a lover of travel fiction and as someone with an abiding interest in Japan (and a frequent traveller there), I must say that this is among the very worst books I have ever read. As travel literature, it strikes me as the product of someone who's never actually been to the place he's writing about. As erotica or as humour, it falls completely flat. The overriding tone it left me with was that of an author who wrote a novel in a weekend on a dare. Zero attempt at involving the reader. Zero attempt at character or plot development. The characters are just put through their paces and then abandoned. Even had I paid 78 cents for the book I would have felt cheated at the time I wasted on it (and I spend a lot of time reading). Do yourself a favour and stay away, or at the very least, don't let this book help you form any opinions whatsoever on the country of Japan.

This book contains one of the funniest lines I have ever read. Like all of Friedman's works - this book is great. But STERN is better.