"This novel takes place during the Great Depression, poverty was ubiquitous and people constantly were searching for ways to become wealthy. When Morris Katz and his cousin Albert enter the University of Minnesota, their goal is to meet rich, Jewish women, have sex with them and marry them, insuring that they will be taken care of for the rest of their lives. The two young men are not brilliant thinkers, yet each has his skills: Albert is a former heavyweight with his own car (part Maytag) and Morris is a smooth talker with a cousin (Crip) who can write beautifully, erotic poetry with which to woo women.
The rest of the novel chronicles Morris' pursuit of Celeste (A.M. Zimmerman's daughter) and Bridget (a non-Jewish girl), Albert's woman troubles, and Morris' sister Libby's wedding. Other humorous moments come from the antics of Nettie and Gittle (Morris' aunts), Mr. Harwood, the freshman advisor, Sister Mary Frances, Bridget's guardian, and Jonathan, Libby's husband-to-be.
"
Samantha S., Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of Potatoes are Cheaper
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- humorous
Time/era of story
- 1930's-1950's
Kids growing up/acting up?
Yes
Inside culture (main char)
- Jew
Other aspects:
- story of the poor
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Ethnic/regional/gender life
Yes
Age group of kid(s) in story:
- college
Loving/sexing?
- girl chasing
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- student
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Jewish
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- none
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 5 (an average amount)
United States
Yes
The US:
- Midwest
Small town?
Yes
Small town people:
- nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee
Style
Person
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references
- descript of kissing
Amount of dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
