NightsattheAlexandra

InasmallIrishtownduringWorldWarII，fifteen-year-oldHarry'sattachmenttotheMessingers，anemigrantGermancouple，deepensdespitehisparent'sdisapproval.10，000firstprinting.，InasmallIrishtownduringWorldWarII，fifteen-year-oldHarry'sattachmenttotheMessingers，anemigrantcouple，deepensdespitehisparent'sdisapproval.，SetinaprovincialIrishtownagainstthebackdropoftheSecondWorldWar，NightsattheAlexandraisamasterpieceofshortfiction.Tracingthereminiscencesofafifty-eight-year-oldIrishcinemaownernamedHarry，thestoryrecountstheyearsduringHarry'sadolescencewhenheforgesanunlikelyfriendshipwithanemigrecouplerecentlyarrivedinhissmalltown.Gentlyimperiousyetstrikinglybeautiful，FrauMessinger，ayoungBritishwomanmarriedtoamucholderGerman，introducesameasureofcolorintoHarry'sotherwiseblack-and-whiteexistence.Disappointedbyhisdullfamilyandhisstiflingboardingschool，HarrysoaksupFrauMessinger'sstoriesofheryouth，andindulgeshernumerousflightsoffancy.WhenMr.Messingerannounceshisplanstobuildthetown'sfirstcinemaandasksHarrytoworkitsticketwindow，Harryforthefirsttimebeginstoimaginealifeofpossibilityratherthanprivation.Buttheyoungman'snewfoundsenseofhimselfcomesnotwithoutitsprice，asWilliamTrevormasterfullylimnstheborderbetweeninnocenceandexperience，creatingasubtleportraitofanadolescentmomentthathasthepowertoshapeanentirelifetime.