Niagara Falls All Over Again

By: Elizabeth McCracken

Narrated by: George Guidall

Sometimes in life, opposites are drawn to each other; somehow, each providing the other with something they don't have, but desperately need. National Book Award finalist Elizabeth McCracken pens this graceful, moving tale of an unlikely pairing of two men and their lifelong partnership in show business.

Drawn to Vaudeville from a Jewish upbringing in a small town outside Des Moines, Mose Sharp meets Rocky Carter at a comedy club. Missing his usual sideman, Carter enlists Sharp to participate in his routine. On stage, Carter's hilarious emotional exaggeration and absurdity come into their own with Sharp's deadpan delivery, and just like that, the inseparable duo of Carter and Sharp is born. From Broadway to Hollywood in 1939, the duo finds great success in movies before a series of unforgivable acts tears them apart.

Filled with compassion and beauty, Niagara Falls All Over Again builds up intensely before life's toll harkens the bittersweet unraveling of Carter and Sharp. With the experienced voice of veteran narrator George Guidall, McCracken's prose finds its perfect complement.

©2001 Elizabeth McCracken (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Relentlessly eventful, rollickingly funny and heartwarming narrative....In its delicate balance of black humor, irony and pathos, this novel is as exhilarating as the waters of Niagara, its flow mimicking the tumultuous rush of time." (Publishers Weekly)

Good but was hoping for more

I like this author. Her short stories are amazing. This book was entertaining and based on what appeared to be an Abbott and Costello relatinship between two comics. It provides a lot of insight into that life but I was just hoping for a bit more. Especially from someone whose writing I really do admire.

Compelling melancholy

Elizabeth McCracken’s skill at developing characters with deep, well woven lives and personalities is a highlight in this story. Don’t come here for humorous comedy bits. Despite the professions of these two men this is not at all funny. But it’s deep and poignant throughout. Highly recommended.

What happened to comedy teams?

This was such a delightful book of really the history of comedy from vaudeville to television. George Guigall did a fabulous job with the performance. Very rich book.

A Keeper!

Whether it is the book itself or the captivating art of George Guidall's reading, I was sad when I finished this book. Funny, insightful, sad in a good way, it remains my favorite and I am looking forward to listening to it again when the memory of it fades enough for me to enjoy it again.

Christine

I found listening to this book just delightful. It kept my interest thoughout and the characters were very real.