Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg

 

Mazie Phillips comes to New York as a child.  Her big sister Rose rescues Mazie and her sister Jeanie from their alcoholic parents and raises them along with her husband Leo.  Mazie grows up wanting to have a big life, to love lots of men, to drink and have a good time.  Instead, she ends up trapped in the ticket booth of Leo's movie theatre twelve hours a day, her true love a seagoing captain who she only sees occasionally when he is in the area. 

As time goes on, Mazie becomes the strength of her family.  Rose starts to have mental issues as she gets older and after Leo's death.  Jeanie runs away to star in a dance revue.  Mazie keeps everything going although it is at the sacrifice of the life she wanted.

When the Depression hits, Mazie is appalled at the state of her beloved New York and especially what is called the Bowery.  Where others see nothing but 'bums' who lay in the streets, hungry or drunk, sick and sleeping outside in all weathers, Mazie sees men who have fallen on hard times.  She starts to take care of them.  Every night after work she walks the streets, giving money to men to buy a bed or food or even a drink if that is what they need.  She calls the ambulances when men are too sick and need a hospital.  She supplies dignity and warmth to lives that have none.  Mazie becomes known as the Queen Of The Bowery.

This book is based on a true life woman, Mazie Gordon.  Attenberg has imagined a life for her, giving her friends and lovers and describing a life based on her search for love wherever it is to be found.  The story is told through the entries in Mazie's diary and interviews with those who knew her.  Readers will be interested in seeing New York City through the eyes of someone determined to bring her beloved city back to life and will be influenced by Mazie's love for those surrounding her.  This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.