First published: 1963

Type of work: Novel

Type of plot: Humorous psychological realism

Time of work: Early 1960's

Locale: New York City

Principal Characters

Norman Moonbloom, oversees four apartment buildings as a real-estate agent

Irwin Moonbloom, Norman's brother and owner of the buildings

Gaylord Knight, the janitor with a unique perspective

Bodien, an unlicensed plumber adding to the chaos

Eva, Minna, and Lester Bailey, a pair of doting aunts and their nephew

Arnold and Betty Jacoby, an elderly, long-married couple

Marvin Schoenbrun, a meticulous homosexual tenant

Stanley Katz and Sidone, free-spirited jazz musicians

Sherman and Carol Hauser, a middle-aged couple facing life’s challenges

Aaron and Sarah Lublin, refugees from a troubled past

Basellecci, an Italian teacher with his own burdens

Jerry Wung, a Chinese beatnik adding cultural variety

Beeler, an elderly widower trying to find his way

Sheryl, Beeler's supportive daughter

Kram, a hunchbacked photograph retoucher

Wade Johnson, a schoolteacher struggling with daily life

Leni Cass, a divorcee looking for a fresh start

J. T. and Milly Leopold, a retired carpenter and his wife

Ilse Moeller, a German immigrant

Karloff, a centenarian Russian immigrant

Sugarman, a philosophical vendor with a sweet twist

Joe Paxton, a black homosexual writer

Del Rio, a boxer fighting his own battles

Louie, a bachelor content with solitude

Jim and Jane Sprague, a young couple expecting their first child

Analysis

"The Tenants of Moonbloom," released after Wallant's untimely death, is a novel that blends humor with a deep exploration of human dignity. It depicts a transformative journey resembling a spiritual awakening, yet it remains grounded in the gritty realities of life. Wallant's unique style sets the novel apart from popular literary trends, neither aligning strictly with Jewish thematic narratives like those of Malamud and Roth, nor fully engaging with the absurdist tones of writers like Heller and Pynchon.

This novel stands as a testament to Wallant's evolving craft, marking a significant improvement in narrative structure from his earlier works, "The Human Season" and "The Pawnbroker." He moves beyond the flashbacks and the confines of introspection seen in previous offerings, presenting a more cohesive and forward-moving story. Central to the narrative is Norman Moonbloom, an unlikely protagonist who begins as a detached and unengaged individual, reflecting the struggles of the tenants he encounters.

Norman's journey is one from inertia to vitality. Initially, he is numb to the world around him, existing in a bubble of complacency. At 33, he is both an emotional and physical virgin, untouched by life's joys and pains. He becomes the ear that listens to the woes and stories of his eccentric tenants, who, despite their dire circumstances, maintain a semblance of dignity through their comedic yet poignant efforts to cope with life's chaos.

The narrative unfolds as a documentation of Norman's gradual awakening. His indifference is shattered as he becomes more than a passive observer; he is compelled to engage with the world around him. Suddenly, the voices of his tenants resonate with him, triggering a profound internal shift. He embarks on a mission to rejuvenate the four buildings he manages, not out of altruism but as an effort to redefine his own existence.

While some tenants face tragic outcomes like accidental death and attempted suicide, and Norman himself is seduced for a rent reduction, these events highlight the futility of superficial fixes. Despite his efforts in renovating the buildings, Norman realizes that true change extends beyond physical repairs, impacting his inner life more profoundly....