Goodreads Reviews for Squeegee Kid: A Novel

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Giselle

★★★★☆

May 16, 2023

It was a fair exchange of money for goods. I wanted to know what it was like to be a squeegee kid in Toronto in the 90s and S.E. Tomas' book lays it out.

Down and Out in Paris and London is one of my favorite books, partially because it offers a peek into a hidden world. The difference between that book and Squeegee Kid is (1) S.E. Tomas is no Orwell and/but (2) He was genuinely down and out.

The writing isn't great but, like outsider art, it is compelling in its rawness.

I don't mean there are mistakes in it. It's professionally done and bound in an attractive paperback format. I mean, situations are elaborately set-up and then nothing much happens. You almost wish the author would invent something or at least provide more sordid details.

Which brings me to the big issue, as the reader, I am a class-tourist. I remember the time and places S.E Tomas writes about in Squeegee Kid. I was a middle-class kid from North York. When I walked past the Evergreen on Yonge, I crossed to the other side of the street to avoid it. I had no idea what went on inside. Now I know. They were serving watered down soup for 5 cents a bowl.

So I recommend Squeegee Kid for cleaning the windshield of my mind a little bit and providing value for money. That is all anyone could ask for.

Jay

★★★★☆

August 12, 2021

** spoiler alert ** Like most people, I met S.E. Tomas on the street (literally across the street from Turning Point...) and bought a book from him. He's as charismatic as his alter-ego, Jim, and like the character, he also enjoys weed; he was smoking a joint with his girlfriend/editor when I met him :p

I loved the story. It was funny, had charming characters, and showcased a side of Toronto not often written about...or at least, written about WELL. I liked the short paragraphs/chapters, the references to streets I knew and grew up on, and the quick, easy-to-read dialogue.

Being hyper-critical, I have a few gripes. I know that the story was told from Jim/S.E. Tomas' perspective, and that since it is based on real experiences, it is somewhat limited....but man, what the hell happened to Mark? He was squeegeeing and using crack more and more. I can IMAGINE what happened to him, sure, but I wish we could have seen him through to the end. It really felt like his story was building to something, and then he found the thousand bucks. I thought shit was going to explode, but Jim just stopped squeegeeing. Oh well!

I also found the title interesting. Sure, Jim squeegeed a bunch, but he spent just as much time dealing, working sales, working carnivals and generally hustling. In fact, he made most of his money drug-dealing.

Another small gripe. Although Jim battles the elements and is stranded in a new city, I was never worried about him. He befriended really good people along the way, like Russ and the shelter staff at Turning Point, who sometimes bent the rules for him. He always met a random bum willing to advise him on where to stay, how get his GST forms, his weekly PNA, etc. Mark took him along to his squeegee corner without hesitation. When Jim got sick with pneumonia, the hospital was there to help him.

Also, Jim was excellent at everything he did. He was charismatic and did well at everything he tried; on his first day in sales and working as a squeegee kid, he out-performed the veterans of the profession. When he forayed into drug-dealing, he crushed it, beating out 'Danzig' - who'd been working the area for a decade - within the span of two months. While it was fun-reading to see Jim do well, and as much as I wanted him to succeed, it would have been better to see him battle through a fatal flaw. That element was missing. His prior crack-use was referred to, but he didn't seem tempted to use in this book, never following Mark to see his dealer. Jim only smoked weed in this story, and in the end, made profit from selling it.

That's me being HYPER-critical, though. The writing was good, the plot was fun, the characters were awesome, and I have never been so familiar with a setting in my entire life. This was a great book, recommended to any and every Torontonian.

It seems to be a trend to end these reviews by saying that I will be buying another of his books soon :)

Cathy

★★★★★

August 2, 2019

Easily engaged with the story of young Jim surviving the street life in Toronto. S.E. Tomas does not fail to deliver a gritty experience that will make the reader feel like they know Jim well, and naturally understand, why he does what he can to get by. I like that the author has inside information and effectively reaches his audience by putting us in his character's shoes. As a volunteer for years at a soup truck, I spent many Tuesday nights trying to get to know the homeless population, and hopefully earn their trust. I always felt that anyone could be homeless, given the right circumstances, so I never felt a certain security that was owed to me and knew I would do anything to survive as well. While one could admire the free spirit and bravery required to endure in this marginalized community, S.E. Tomas refrains from glamorizing the addictions, mental health issues, stigma, abuse and exposure to the elements that come along with it. I, for one, hope my tax dollars are used to create more affordable housing, and additional resources for low-income earners. I support barrier-free access to training and education for all.

Nicola Clements

★★★★★

August 1, 2018

LOVED THIS BOOK !!!!!

started reading this and immediately knew I needed crackilton!!!!
I love that he took his hard time and made it into something people can look up to if they are in the same situation. Tells the hardships of what its like to struggle and to never give up.
Now I need carny.

IM WAITING FOR A 4TH BOOK!!!
so obsessed !!!

Patricia Atkinson

★★★★★

September 24, 2017

loved the book story about jim getting stranded when he worked for the carnival and needed to get home ended up in Toronto with no money in a homeless shelter where he met a guy who did sqeegiees at stop lights to make money jim decided to try it and did it till he was in hospital than he went back to it till it was carnival time.....quite the story of the life he has lived cant wait to read the other 2 books written by him you wont be disappointed.

Yehuda

★★★★★

July 13, 2017

S.E. Tomas takes a the fortunate reader into the life of a squeegee kid living in Toronto in the early 2000s. Raw and real Jim takes you along on his journey - he shares his highs and his lows in this inspirational story of resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity.
Squeegee Kid is compelling, well written, and an easy read. It is amazing that you can buy this book directly from the author and have a conversation with such an amazing individual.
Truly grateful that I met the author and excited that I was able to spend some time with him in the short period before S.E. Tomas becomes a household name
I cannot recommend this book enough and am excited to read my copy of Crackilton.
All the thumbs up and looking forward to seeing you on Ellen!