This is a memoir, of sorts. Ben Ryder Howe was an American WASP who grew up in New England. While in college, he met a Korean girl who ended up as a lawyer at a big New York law firm. Ben was working (essentially part time) as an editor at the Paris Review (a journal for and about writers). They were living in her parents basement (with a bunch of other Korean relatives). At some point during this process, they decided to purchase a New York City deli.
This book is the story of the process of purchasing the deli, running it for several years, and ultimately selling it (sorry if that just gave away the ending!). It's the story of the lessons the WASP learned about running a small deli in Brooklyn; being a small-business owner; juggling two "jobs"; family relationships; and change. It was interesting seeing the "inside-look" of dealing with suppliers, city regulators and deli employees.
The book was incredibly easy to read. As a New England-educated WASP, there are some points where the author gets philosophical - looking at the deeper meaning behind some of the deli choices. All in all, though, it was a pretty interesting read.
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