Official Review: Small Claims by Steve Gottlieb

Post by **Diana Lowery** » 24 Sep 2020, 08:07

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Small Claims" by Steve Gottlieb.]

4 out of 4 stars

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“How was your day?” you ask your spouse, and he or she regales you with interesting stories. Well, reading this book is like pulling up a chair at the dinner table with author Steve Gottlieb as he describes the unique people he deals with as a lawyer to indigent clients in a free clinic.

Small Claims: An Attorney’s Journey to Seek Justice and Redemption in a Soup Kitchen Legal Clinic is listed as non-fiction, but Gottlieb states in his disclaimer, “This is a work of fiction. Although its form is that of an autobiographical journal, it is not one.” Regardless of that confusion, the book is delightful. The cover depicts a woman who represents the despair and helplessness that many citizens face when confronted with legal issues. Gottleib’s compassion and sense of humor in helping his destitute clients is what makes this such a great read.

There is no actual plot, but the numerous characters create a backdrop for the evolution of the protagonist lawyer who keeps moving forward in spite of all the obstacles he encounters. His desire is to offer hope to the hopeless, and he succeeds even though his cases don’t always have the desired outcome. Sometimes the characters reappear; sometimes their story is only told once, but at the end of the book, there is an update called “So What Happened To My Clients?”

My favorite parts are the chapter titles. In addition to a number, the author lists the menu of the day from the soup kitchen. Gottlieb only conducts his free clinic on Fridays during the lunch hour. The menu is as varied as the people who line up outside his door waiting for a chance to tell their story to the man who has promised to help them. They usually enter his makeshift office with a bag of free, day-old bakery items in one hand and a bag of old, wrinkled papers in the other.

There was nothing about this book that I did not like. It was well-edited, entertaining, and would be suitable for all audiences. One of my relatives works as an activities director for families who live in subsidized housing, and her stories echo those of this author. Even though the tone of this story is light, the situation is not. Gottleib acknowledges the plight of the unhoused and is using this book as a platform to point out the deficiencies of our current system. I am rating this book 4 out of 4 stars.

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Small Claims
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Eutoc · Post by **Eutoc** » 26 Sep 2020, 07:31

The lawyer would have a lot of interesting stories to share considering his clients are so unique. I'd like to know the kind of things they get to discuss. Thanks for your honest review Diana.

KDJ · Post by **KDJ** » 26 Sep 2020, 11:11

Thank you for your review. Small Claims sound like an interesting book. I would like to read this one.

TCG · Post by **TCG** » 26 Sep 2020, 15:38

I like reading legal novels; that is my line of profession. Great book. I'll try out this book.

Ada Ling · Post by **Ada Ling** » 26 Sep 2020, 16:55

Good topic on legal. Will give it a try. Thank you for the great review!

Kaitlyn Canedy · Post by **Kaitlyn Canedy** » 26 Sep 2020, 23:19

The genre is confusing; I can agree with you on that. Legal stuff tends to confuse me a lot though, so I will pass. Good job on the review!

Tabbi+20 · Post by **Tabbi+20** » 27 Sep 2020, 12:58

I find legal staff interesting and this sounds more interesting. Will try it. Thanks for the review.

Tabbi+20 · Post by **Tabbi+20** » 27 Sep 2020, 12:59

I find legal staff interesting and this sounds more interesting. Will try it. Thanks for the review.

Post by **Sanju Lali** » 28 Sep 2020, 01:36

I am amazed with the stories that the lawyer is having regarding his clients. Hope to read this book soon. Thanks for your informative review.

Post by **Diana Lowery** » 29 Sep 2020, 08:11

Eutoc wrote: ↑26 Sep 2020, 07:31 The lawyer would have a lot of interesting stories to share considering his clients are so unique. I'd like to know the kind of things they get to discuss. Thanks for your honest review Diana.

Thank you. I think the book would make a great tv series.

Post by **Diana Lowery** » 29 Sep 2020, 08:16

KDJ wrote: ↑26 Sep 2020, 11:11 Thank you for your review. Small Claims sound like an interesting book. I would like to read this one.

Thank you for your comment. I hope you get to enjoy it.

Post by **Diana Lowery** » 29 Sep 2020, 08:21

TCG wrote: ↑26 Sep 2020, 15:38 I like reading legal novels; that is my line of profession. Great book. I'll try out this book.

Thank you for your comment. The author of this book seems to love his profession, too.

Post by **Diana Lowery** » 29 Sep 2020, 08:26

Ada Ling wrote: ↑26 Sep 2020, 16:55 Good topic on legal. Will give it a try. Thank you for the great review!

It was entertaining without being legalese. Thanks for your comment.

Drado_27 · Post by **Drado_27** » 29 Sep 2020, 08:34

Even though this is a work of fiction, I'm sure there are many things I can learn from it. Adding this to my want to read list!

Post by **Diana Lowery** » 29 Sep 2020, 08:35

Katie Canedy wrote: ↑26 Sep 2020, 23:19 The genre is confusing; I can agree with you on that. Legal stuff tends to confuse me a lot though, so I will pass. Good job on the review!

Thank you for your comment. The story was more about the characters than legal stuff. It had sort of a John Grisham feel.