The Beginning

The book begins with a man named Stingo, who derived the name from his younger years when he was sent to an institution by his father. He didn't have good hygiene in his childhood, and most people called him Stinko, however the g finally meshed into the name as he developed cleaner habits. At a young age, his mother died leading to his unruly behavior and thus his enrollment in an institution by his lonesome father. Now, a southerner searching for a job in a neighborhood full of Jews, he is a poor man trying to find his way. Stinko will most likely be the protagonist of this novel, and the point of view is through him. The year is 1947 so the lifestyle is very different at that time. The language is a little more advanced than what I thought it was going to be. I hope I enjoy this book because there seems to be a lot of it to read...a solid 546 pages.

Anyway, back to the story...Stingo seems to have gained a bit of luck as he gets a job in the publishing business. He doesn't necessarily enjoy his job all that much as he reads poorly written manuscripts, and creates reviews on whether or not they should be published or moved onto the next step in the publishing business. While he makes ninety cents an hour, and lives in his ten dollar a month apartment, Stingo lives a solitary life, one in which his small apartment doesn't receive a lot of company or guests. He seems as though he is shy and doesn't reach out of his comfort zone to talk to others or escapes his everyday routine. The chapter describes his struggle to live in a city where his Southern style doesn't necessarily belong so to say. Stingo also butts heads with a man who he calls Weasel and loses the companionship of his employer, Farrell as he quits his job toward the end of the chapter. Although he leaves the office, Farrell gives him words of advice, "Son, write your guts out."  As so the story goes on......