Mama's Maxwell Street and Other Stories.
By Bobette Zacharias
Bobette Zacharias is a social and political activist with a sense of humor. Her lifelong questions about why things have to be the way they are and who says so have influenced her thinking and writing of short stories, poems and essays.
Her colorful mother, an opera singer in Chicago in the 1930s and 40s, enjoyed pursuing her quest for bargains on Maxwell Street. Other inspirations came from Bobette's own musical endeavors, family experiences and the banter of lively back porch kibitzing with friends as she was growing up.
As a teacher and communicator with non-profit agencies, Bobette continues her lifetime support toward change in the social and political climate of Chicago and its suburban communities.
The book's cover image is from a poster that commemorated Chicago's sesquicentennial anniversary in 1987. It is in the collection of the Chicago History Museum (formerly the Chicago Historical Society) and was used with their permission.
Mama's Maxwell Street and Other Stories, by Bobette Zacharias, is published by Adams Press, Chicago, Illinois (2006).
The book includes an audio CD of the author reading selected stories.
From the Preface to Mama's Maxwell Street and Other Stories by Bobette Zacharias:
There's no business like show business! For me, with actors brimming all around me, show business was my training for life. There was comedy, and there was tragedy, so I learned early to deal with both of them, some at the same time. The pandemonium they created influenced my lifelong thinking, outlook, and, of course, my writing of the stories, poems and columns appearing in this book.
From the time I was about five years of age, close observation became my lifeline and my constant companion. I learned to give meaning to the unpredictable behavior of these many characters performing so boldly before my astonished eyes. For me, they loomed larger than any actors I would ever see on the stage. What a great show they were! What wonderful ideas they provided me for my stories later on!
As I became more adept at studying body language, I became a better judge of what people really meant to say when they spoke.
Where lay the real truth, and who said so?
Some of the characters in these stories are based on significant people in Mama's, and, later on, in my life. You'll meet Mr. Davis, the owner of Mr. Davis' Dress Shop; Bertha, the garrulous corsetiere and confidante for so many; and Mrs. King Levinsky, the ultimate fish maven.
What was my home like while I was growing up? My Mama Dorothy, The Diva, ran an haute cuisine salon, replete with hungry opera singers for whom she cooked giant pots of steaming spaghetti, sausage, and mushrooms in yummy tomato sauce (see recipe on p. xv), served with crusty Italian bread and bowls of grated cheeses. She also served great salads with garlic, garlic dressing coursing through them. And always plenty of red wine! Strong coffee, accompanied by handsome cakes and pies were the grand finale.
Amidst joyous songs and forks held high to stab a slice of bread or a chunk of meat across the table, the singers smacked their lips with appreciation as they jostled their way to the finish line.
The next course was the rush to the piano for the singing of the arias they knew so well, with Mama doing the accompaniments as the artists perched all around her. Some even at her feet under the piano! Ah, what major bravura they shared, accompanied by muted sobs (and a few burps) when overcome by the sheer emotion of it all.
There were Mimi and Rudolpho and Musetta singing passionate love songs while the Hungarian composer, John Kovach, recited the lyrics of his sentimental love songs such as "I'll Carry You In My Pocket, In a Locket of Gold... There You'll Remain 'Til Our Love Grows Old" (or was that cold?)
They were a passionate bunch, followed by other passionate actors of differing ethnic backgrounds, all of whom told their stories while enjoying Mama's talents and her abundant table.
Mama's Maxwell Street and Other Stories, by Bobette Zacharias. Spiral bound, 105 pages. Includes an audio CD of the author reading selected stories from the book. ISBN 1-929612-84-2. $14.95, plus $2.55 USA shipping, $17.50 total.
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