Synopsis

When the Gimmelmans lose all their money in the 1987 Stock Market Crash, Barry Gimmelman takes his family in their vacation RV for a wild ride through America that leads to them becoming the most notorious bank robbers of the era.

Middle child Aaron watches as his family goes from a mild-mannered reform Jewish clan to having over a million dollars of stolen money stuffed in their RV’s cabinets while being pursued by the FBI and loan sharks. But it wasn’t always like that. His father Barry made a killing as a stockbroker, his mother Judith loved her collection of expensive hats, his older sister Steph was obsessed with pop stars, and little sister Jenny loved her stuffed possum, Seymour.

At first, the family steals from convenience and liquor stores, but when they hit a bank, they realize the talent they possess. The money starts rolling in and brings the family closer together where back at home, no one had any time for bonding due to their busy schedules. But Barry’s desire for more, more, more will take its toll on the Gimmelmans, and Aaron is forced into an impossible choice: turn against his father or let his family fall apart.

From Jersey, down to an Orthodox Jewish community in Florida, where they hide out, and up to California, The Great Gimmelmans goes on a madcap ride through the 1980s. Filled with greed and love and the meaning of religion and tradition until the walls of the RV and the feds start closing in on the family, this literary tale mixes equal parts of humor and pathos with thrills.

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Review

This ride through the 80s is filled with memories of the music and the simplicity of life. Growing up in the 80s, I enjoyed the trip down memory lane with a family who is dysfunctional, from the parents down to the children. Even the extended family have their own issues. But despite this, the family comes together to commit the craziest crime, robbing a bank.

This tale is told from Aaron’s point of view. He is the middle child, 12, and trying to make his mark in the family. When the family loses everything during the stock market crash of 1987, he seeks out to prove himself on their journey to Florida. He isn’t a perfect child, but he does care about his sisters. The youngest, Jenny, is a bit of a wild child. Even at that time, it was obvious that her parents didn’t know how to take care of her or seek help for her. Steph is also a bit of a wild child but in a different way. It is her hormones that drive her actions. There is a situation that happened that wasn’t surprising to me. It would ruin a few things, so I won’t tell you what. But if you read the book, you will figure it out right away, too.

The parents, Barry and Judith, are an example of what happens when you have too much money and not enough time for each other. The stock market crash changes that, but is it for the better? They may reconnect on one level, but is it a lasting connection?

The story is filled with flawed characters, but ones that have heart and are seeking a better way, at least most of them. It may not always be the best or right way, but it is definitely a reflection of them and the times. I appreciated how the story started with Aaron as an adult and his troubled teen on a road trip. Aaron has his child listen to the book he wrote, which happens to be about his life. You don’t realize that at first, but as the book is ending, it will all make sense. Some of the storylines are predictable, and if you grew up in the 80s, you will enjoy the music references and the simplicity of life without cell phones and the internet.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and we give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Lee Matthew Goldberg is the author of seven novels including THE ANCESTOR and THE MENTOR, currently in development as a film off his original script, and the YA series RUNAWAY TRAIN. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for the Prix du Polar. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, his writing has also appeared in The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Millions, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, LitReactor, Monkeybicycle, Fiction Writers Review, Cagibi, Necessary Fiction, Hypertext, If My Book, Past Ten, the anthology Dirty Boulevard, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Underwood Press and others.

His pilots and screenplays have been finalists in Script Pipeline, Book Pipeline, Stage 32, We Screenplay, the New York Screenplay, Screencraft, and the Hollywood Screenplay contests. He is the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series and lives in New York City.

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