Did you enjoy the musical references throughout the book?

The title of this memoir is taken from the Nat King Cole song, "Unforgettable." Did you enjoy the musical references throughout the book?

Absolutely! Patricia was an actress, Ernie Simon was a comedian and their life centered around the stage in entertaining others. Music was brought to many in American during this era by radio. It was the "internet of its day!" Singing, learning lyrics, creating new musical styles was part of the American culture. Music not only made people feel good but it was inexpensive entertainment. The reference to the songs, lyrics, performers, and places where the music was first heard was a priceless walk through an American musical library. I felt like I was playing piano and singing through a complete compilation of American Standard Songbook!

Like suzanner, I felt Patricia's background made the musical references totally appropriate. Additionally they illustrated the bond between Scott Simon and his mother, and provided a time reference point in telling her story.

Absolutely. The scene towards the end of the book where Simon references how a "true gentleman and his daughter sang" while he stretched out next to his mother and tried to join along made me cry. I could hear and see all in my mind's eye and it effectively triggered the deep emotion you would expect.

The frequent singing and references to music and the musicians was delightful. A stroll down memory lane for me and it was the same for me with all the references to various pieces of art they spoke about. Rather nostalgic and lovely.

Yes, although it was so saturated it became distracting.

I was humming throughout the book. I have all those songs by one artist or another in my iTunes library and play them frequently. Music so clearly defines moments in my life that just hearing a song can transport me back to a specific time and place.

Oh yes! Now when I hear Scott hum a tune or sing a bit on his Saturday morning I get a special warm feeling. All the music and references were especially important to the telling of this story. It's the backdrop to the memoir - music, theater, etc. played such a huge part of his mom/dad/his life! It was like a canvas where the picture was painted.