Barstools Full and Empty

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By CP Jonas

Howard Englander’s Barstools Full and Empty is a deeply compelling exploration of friendship, love, and the choices that shape our lives. From the initial encounter with Ben Gold, Raymond Cole, and Rosanna Harwick at Berkeley during the turbulence of the Free Speech Movement and the Vietnam War, the novel immerses readers in a world rich with vitality, complexity, and the thrill of youth. Engaging with it is akin to immersing oneself in the heart of their interconnected lives, observing the joys, frustrations, and nuanced heartbreaks alongside them. Englander's narrative encourages contemplation of how individual histories and societal influences shape our choices and connections.

The book centrally explores themes of allegiance, aspiration, and the intricate relationship between affection and individual ambition.  The interactions among the three characters illuminate how privilege, familial relationships, and cultural background influence individual development, while simultaneously portraying struggles that resonate universally.  Thematic explorations of ephemerality, bereavement, and resolution extend beyond the narrative, encouraging readers to contemplate the ramifications of decisions, temporal factors, and interpersonal relationships within their personal experiences.

Englander's prose is deliberate, reflective, and evocative. He employs a reflective, nearly cinematic style, transitioning seamlessly across two decades of the characters' lives. His focus on dialogue, internal introspection, and period-specific details—especially the political and social environment of the 1960s and 1970s—imbues the story with authenticity and depth. Occasionally, the introspective tempo of the narrative may seem sluggish to those anticipating intense action; however, this facilitates a comprehensive development of emotional subtleties and character intricacies.

Memorable moments encompass the tense early days of Ben and Raymond’s friendship, Rosanna’s subtle influence in shaping decisions, and the quiet realizations years later when the repercussions of ambition and loyalty become evident. Englander's work adeptly combines humor, remorse, and tenderness, evoking both reflection and emotion in the reader.

Ultimately, Barstools Full and Empty is a deeply nuanced narrative concerning the transient nature of life, the enduring connections that persist, and the decisions that shape our identities. It is a novel that endures, providing insight, compassion, and a vivid reminder of how deeply ordinary lives can resonate.