Items related to Barbells and Saxophone
Synopsis
Vince Viola, a professional saxophonist and amateur bodybuilder, faces bewildering choices in his career and personal life
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Reviews
Taking center stage in a novel bursting with vitality, New Yorker Vince Viola is a 25-year-old saxophone player, body-builder, womanizer and bird lover. Both immature and tough, he is appalled by the idea of selling out: though temptations abound, he refuses to play anything but pure jazz, no funk, no glitz; he won't pose for Playgirl magazine, although it would make his career; he can't bear to see his parents, friends or heroes compromise their integrity. The novel opens with Vince talking to a psychiatrist about his divorced parents: bullying, macho Pop (Mr. Olympia of 1948) and beauty parlor-proprietor, overprotective Mom, soon to be a women's wrestling impresario. The same evening, Vince gets in a fight with his girlfriend, she leaves and, deprived of this stabilizing force, he tumbles down an unbelievable, but highly entertaining, staircase of musical, romantic and familial hells. From L.A. to London, Rome, Vancouver and New York, Vince loves and loses, eventually accepting the limitations and frailties in himself, and in those around him. Ritz's ( Blue Notes Under a Green Felt Hat ) compelling, seriocomic story especially soars in its evocative feel for the music that drives its protagonist.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Vince Viola is blessed with a great body, an almost mystical affinity for music (especially jazz), and some very wild and crazy relatives and friends. His father operates a run-down gym (where Vince got his start) and his mother runs a beauty parlor. Vince's batty shrink may be helping him, but his live-in girlfriend, Kathy, also has a shrink, who may not. The plot is frenzied, but the ride is wonderfully wicked and unpredictable, with the souped-up prose maintaining exactly the right tone. A sexy Japanese agent, a Jewish roller-skater turned wrestler, and a yuppie gym manager add to the fun. The abrupt and not entirely satisfactory ending does not detract from a fast-moving saga of body building, jazz, and sheer insanity, by the author of Blue Notes Under a Green Felt Hat (LJ 4/1/89). Conservative readers, beware. Others, enjoy.
- Robert H. Donahugh, formerly with Youngstown and Mahoning Cty. P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Barbells and Saxophone
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
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hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_486867382
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Barbells and Saxophone
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1556111584I4N10
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Barbells and Saxophones
Published by
Donald I Fine, New York, 1989
ISBN 10: 1556111584
ISBN 13: 9781556111587
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Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: All-Ways Fiction, DAYTON, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. Book in Mylar cover. First Edition, First Printing. No remainder marks, no ink markings. NOT priced clipped. In well packed Boxes - no padded envelopes. Book. Seller Inventory # 010278
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Barbells and Saxophones
Published by
Donald I. Fine, Inc., New York, 1990
ISBN 10: 1556111584
ISBN 13: 9781556111587
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Bungalow Books, ABAA, Pueblo, CO, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. First Edition; First Printing. A review copy with publisher's material and author photo laid in. Tanning to the pages.; 285 pages. Seller Inventory # 29152
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Barbells and Saxophones: A Novel
Published by
Donald I Fine, E Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A., 1989
ISBN 10: 1556111584
ISBN 13: 9781556111587
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Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Callaghan Books South, New Port Richey, FL, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Very Fine. First Edition. (1st) Larger book, dark blue cloth spine, blue boards, white lettering very fine on spine, tiny creases at bottom front tip, 285 lightly browned pages. DJ glossy and colorfully designed, praise on back. DJ has tiny light crease at top front edge near tip. Near Very Fine DJ/Fine book. Seller Inventory # 42989
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Barbells and Saxophones: A Novel
Published by
Donald I. Fine, New York, 1989
ISBN 10: 1556111584
ISBN 13: 9781556111587
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: gearbooks, The Bronx, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Irving Perkins Associates (Design); Janet Halverson (Jacket Design); Brad Lipshy (Author Photo) (illustrator). Copyright © 1989 by David Ritz. 285 pp. A great, almost spotlessly clean copy and dust jacket! Solidly and tightly bound, essentially and nearly flawless copy and dust jacket with minimal internal and external wear and use. Copy with crisp pages, spotlessly clean text, and light shelf wear. Smooth covers. Very mild or light foxing on page edges, not affecting text. Dust jacket shows very minimal, minor or light wear and use. Seller Inventory # 2iDf0045
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Barbells and Saxophone
Seller: SHIMEDIA, Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Satisfaction Guaranteed or your money back. Seller Inventory # 1556111584