Building Material

The Memoir of a Park Avenue Doorman

By: Stephen Bruno

Narrated by: Stephen Bruno

Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

For fans of books like Waiter Rant, and all those who have always wondered how the other half lives, comes this heartfelt, laugh-out-loud memoir from a New York City doorman with astute ears and a penchant for storytelling

As an academically gifted Latino kid growing up in the Bronx, Stephen Bruno’s family had high aspirations for his future. He attended magnet schools and selective academic programs and was on track to realize his potential. But those dreams were derailed when, much to his Mami’s dismay, he followed a girlfriend to Minnesota and a dead-end job. Languishing and unable to get it together, Stephen eventually moved back home. Broke and eager to make a way for himself—and away from the oppressively religious father wreaking havoc on his love life—the affable, easy going, and quick-witted Stephen lands a much-coveted job as a doorman at a high-end building on Park Avenue.

Hilarity and drama soon abound as Stephen learns the dos and don’ts of being a doorman for the rich and famous and witnesses the antics going on behind the front entrance of this swanky building. In Building Material, he shares those entertaining tales and introduces an unforgettable cast of characters—from Puerto Rican and Albanian doormen battling it out for turf to quirky one percenters to slimy sugar daddies to his peers, both friends and frenemies. Throughout, Stephen offers a glimpse into the unfathomable lives of the residents and a sharp portrait of an everyday man wanting more for himself.

Both poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, Building Material is a captivating true tale of class, failure, and redemption—and how to come back swinging—from a gifted young talent.

©2024 Stephen Bruno (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Finally Memoir from a born and bred New Yorker who isn’t filtered by mainstream portrayals and depictions of its residents.

Stephen Bruno's Building Material offers a refreshing and authentic glimpse into the life of a Park Avenue doorman, narrated through the lens of a true New Yorker. Unlike many portrayals of New Yorkers that come from outsiders, Bruno's perspective as a Latino from the Bronx brings raw honesty and depth to his experiences.

The memoir stands out for maintaining the anonymity but unfiltered portrayal of the tenants and the intricacies of their lives, shedding light on a world that often goes unseen. Bruno's storytelling resonates with anyone familiar with similar upbringings, providing a candid look at the struggles and triumphs that shape his journey.

Rather than delivering the polished, glamorous narrative one might expect about the elite of Park Avenue, Bruno’s writing is grounded in real-life events and relatable characters. This authenticity is a welcome reprieve from the often superficial narratives that dominate contemporary media. While some may find his candidness challenging, those who appreciate genuine storytelling will find much to admire.

In a time when cultural conversations can feel stifled, Building Material encourages readers to embrace the complexities of life and identity. Kudos to Stephen Bruno for crafting a memoir that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. A job well done!

Really interesting!

I really liked this! A neat glimpse into the world of nyc buildings and interesting characters!

It’s art. It’s literature. It’s life.

A once in a century story of an American life told with exceptional humor, nostalgia, and intrigue. You don’t only fall in love with the author, but the entire cast of unforgettable NYC characters. This memoir offers a witty glimpse into the secret life of New York's elite through the eyes of the man who holds their door. The author will make you appreciate your job in a new way and learn to never take any experience for granted. Bravo to Mr Bruno and his fantastic story – we can’t wait for the sequel!

Don’t bother

Not worth the listen or read. Childish writing and storyline is all over the place. Horrible

So torn about this one

I love memoir. I felt very torn through out this one. The authors story is interesting - absolutely, but for me, it had to either be more about his life or more about the job. Being a doorman is secondary to this story, so if you’re looking for a juicy story with gossip about building residents- there is literally none. I didn’t mind the shift to the authors life story, but it completely lacked self reflection or nuance. He repeatedly accused others of assuming things about him and then in the next sentence assumed bold things about others without context or background. There were so many missing pieces- like why was he interested in a relationship with Bam Bam. Memoir has the opportunity to show someone’s growth, development, journey- and make you question your own. The only growth this showed was the actual passage of time, his career development and development as a writer- nothing internal or deeper. Huge miss in my opinion. Sadly I would recommend skipping it. It missed the mark for me.