Chris Butterworth

Barely escaping Nazi occupation in Austria in 1939, the Kunstler family made their way to America. Mamie Kunstler was eleven at the time, arriving in America with her grandparents and parents. The story is primarily about the now 93-year-old Mamie, her home in Los Angeles, and her grandson, Julian. A smart but aimless boy, Julian was born in New York City to his parents, Frank and Roberta. At age 24, still living at home, he is forced to accept an invitation from grandmother Mamie to come visit and help take care of her for a few weeks after she injured herself in a fall. During his visit the pandemic reaches LA and his return to NYC is cancelled. During his extended stay in LA, Mamie is determined to instill in him all the stories of the Kunstler family, their immigration, and their experiences in mid-twentieth century LA. The stories and the relationship eventually lead Julian to a direction for his life, refusing to return to NYC even when his parents come to LA to bring him home. Mamie’s stories and the burgeoning relationship with her grandson make for a heartwarming and often comedic read (the enigmatic housekeeper, Agatha; Mamie’s tennis lessons with Arnold Schoenberg; her brief but noteworthy romance with Greta Garbo). Cathleen Schine’s narrative gives wit and depth to each character. It’s a story of determination, perseverance, inequality, racial and cultural prejudice, love, and growth.