Nobody was more surprised than yours truly that I found this book an immense bore.

Heller's reputation indeed precedes him. He is the author of such a seminal work as "Catch-22", and one could fairly expect him to amaze a newcomer to his work. However, evidently I chose the wrong book to start my exploration of this author. It's my fault. Most sensible people would have started with "22" and worked their way through. Instead, that's where I started, or very nearly.

That having been said, this book bored me so badly that it took me months to finish it, and it's not much more than 250 pages. It's a work of monumental, hubristic dullness. It's a memoir of a vanished era, specifically his childhood on Coney Island in the 20s and 30s. Somehow, it manages to be deeply informative but completely without atmosphere, nostalgia, or sentiment. It's a meticulous work, yet painfully dry and curiously void of emotion.

My guess is that Heller was far too old when he wrote it. He may not have had trouble remembering, but perhaps he couldn't draw any genuine emotions from his memories. He grew up in Coney Island, and by his own admission, he also grew out of it, and it was long after that he penned this book.

I feel a bit uncomfortable writing this, because who am I to attack an icon? But I have to judge the book on its merits. Aside from a fairly strong start and an interesting chapter or two that takes place during WW2 (when he was flying with the Air Corps in Italy against the Germans), it is dry and boring. He recites with careful, well-constructed prose the prosaic and banal details of his life - where he worked, where he lived, how much he made, what he enjoyed eating, etc. Somehow the detail seldom evokes really impressive imagery and almost never any emotion. I've read countless autobiographies and memoirs, and the good ones always put you there. This one does not.

Heller seems a precise man, precisely reporting the small facts of his tour of this planet, but in a curiously removed, passionless, chess-like manner. There are some good anecdotes and a few touching or amusing stories, but somehow it all reminds me of the interior of a clock: all business.

I just can't recommend this to anyone who isn't deeply interested in Heller himself or that part of New York in that part of history.

"Now and Then: From Connie Island to Here" is an autobiographical novel, mainly intended for the already enthusiastic readers of the author. Heller describes the memories of his childhood and past, turning the reader into a witness to part of those small moments that inspired the appearance of certain plots or images in the writer's novels. From the position of a lover of his books, I would undoubtedly say that it is a pleasure to touch the original source of his inspiration. His style is at a well-known high level, combining a subtle sense of humor with intelligent (sole) irony. In fact, the description of his childhood is presented in a very vivid way, which reminds me of the nostalgia of Ray Bradbury in "Dandelion Wine" or William Wharton in "Birdy", where again the emphasis is on childhood and the child's perspective on the world. Another beautiful novel by Heller, which, however, is doomed to a more limited audience because of its autobiographical nature.

It offers a unique insight into the author's life and creative process. The details and emotions shared make it a captivating read for those who are interested in getting to know the man behind the novels. Despite its somewhat niche appeal, "Now and Then" is a valuable addition to Heller's body of work and a must-read for his dedicated fans.

**My Uncle's Autobiography**

My uncle's autobiography is a remarkable account of his life's journey.

He starts by sharing his humble beginnings in a small town. Growing up, he faced numerous challenges and hardships, but his determination and perseverance never wavered.

As he entered adulthood, he pursued his dreams with passion. He worked hard to achieve success in his chosen career, constantly learning and evolving.

Throughout his life, my uncle has also experienced many joys and precious moments. He has made lasting friendships, fallen in love, and raised a wonderful family.

His autobiography is not only a record of his personal achievements but also a source of inspiration for others. It shows that with hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, anything is possible.

I am truly honored to have such an amazing uncle, and I look forward to learning more from his life story.

I really liked this memoir.

It is full of humor and Heller's life is filled with vivid characters.

There is so much information about life during the Depression, World War II, the sights and sounds of Coney Island and the surrounding boroughs, details of daily life, jobs, and the tentative growth.

I greatly admire Heller's ability to focus on details, especially sensory details, and to clearly distinguish when he is guessing and when he is certain of his facts.

Moreover, as a reader, one can easily observe how much of his own life has been incorporated into the plot and characters of his novels.

Although some readers may find the style rather meandering, I, on the other hand, liked it very much.

It also brought back countless memories of life in the NY/Long Island area many years ago.

I found the book to be filled with memorable pictures, visions, sights, sounds, and smells, which made it a truly engaging and captivating read.

This is a touching book, full of humor.

Interestingly, the two often go hand in hand. It is written in an entertaining way, which is not self-evident when it comes to one's own memories.

It made me stop and think about some aspects of World War II that I had no knowledge of until now.

And it has filled me with the firm intention to finally read 'Catch 22'. Those who have already done so will get to know in this book several people who served as models for characters in Catch 22 and other novels by Heller.

An extraordinary youth on Coney Island in the 1930s and a war past as a bombadier provide a beautiful story that remains captivating.

I have always been a great admirer of Catch 22, and thus, I had high hopes for the author's autobiography. However, the non-sequential structure that was so effective in the original book fails to work here. The events that he jumps back and forth between lack the necessary memorability. Heller has had an interesting life, yet he seems to downplay his time in the airforce and instead devotes a significant amount of time to describing a rather dull childhood, flavorless bus rides, and tiresome sessions with psychiatrists. It is beyond my comprehension why he would do this. Just as we are starting to get to some truly great stories about the Coney Island hoodlums, the book abruptly ends.

Reading Now and Then is like walking past a Michelin-starred restaurant, being tantalized by the delicious aromas wafting out of its kitchens, but never being permitted to enter and sample the food. Sadly, Heller won't let us in either.

Could have done with less "Coney Island" and more "Here."

It seems that in the early part of the narrative, there is an overemphasis on the place of Coney Island. While it may have some significance, perhaps it could have been toned down a bit. On the other hand, the concept of "Here" could have been explored more deeply.

When he gets around to his adult life, the book finally takes off. This is a crucial turning point in the story. Suddenly, the reader is presented with a more mature and developed character. The events and experiences that unfold during this stage of his life add a new layer of depth and complexity to the narrative.

We begin to see the protagonist face real challenges and make important decisions that shape his future. It is as if the book has found its true direction and is now moving forward with purpose.

Overall, while the earlier parts of the book may have had some room for improvement, the transition to the adult life of the protagonist brings a new level of excitement and engagement.

I was truly disappointed by these memoirs penned by one of my all-time favorite novelists.

To begin with, they come across as a little disorganized. The flow of thoughts and events seems haphazard, lacking a clear structure or narrative arc.

Moreover, it doesn't give the impression that Heller dedicated a significant amount of effort into this work. It's as if the memoirs were rushed or perhaps not given the proper attention and care that one would expect from such a talented writer.

Given my high regard for Heller's novels, I had high hopes for these memoirs. However, they have unfortunately fallen short of my expectations, leaving me with a sense of dissatisfaction and a longing for what could have been a more engaging and well-crafted account of his life and experiences.

Perhaps with a bit more time and effort, these memoirs could have been a valuable addition to Heller's body of work. As it stands, they serve as a reminder that even the most talented of writers can have off days when it comes to certain projects.