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My Sister Eileen: 06/05/24
My Sister Eileen by Ruth McKenney (1938) is a collection of short story memoir pieces that have gone on to inspire two films, a play, a radio play, and a television series. I bring up all the adaptations because I came across the book after watching the 1955 film version. If, like me, you're coming to the book via the film, you'll remember two headstrong women being duped into renting a basement apartment in a New York walk-up. They are constantly having to brace themselves as the subway rumbles underneath and are at one point accused of prostitution because everyone can look into their room from street level. The film ends with a ridiculously long gag involving the Brazilian Navy. The apartment and the navy are in the book but they comprise the last two stories. The remainder of the book is made up of stories from Ruth and Eileen's childhood. There's the time they went to camp, the time Eileen failed at working in a busy restaurant, the time Ruth nearly drowned while teaching lifeguarding, and so forth. The stories are cute and a glimpse into a time long passed. But they aren't the tale of how these two women made their way in New York. For that, you need the film. And frankly, I prefer the film. Three stars Comments (0)
1997-2025 Sarah Sammis |
