In this richly evocative novel--the moving story of one boy's coming of age--acclaimed author Roland Merullo will make you nostalgic for a small Ma...
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reviews
Jan 23, 2011
Eva
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This is a wonderful book about the Italian-American immigrant experience. The protagonist is Anthony Benedetto, and the book follows him through middle school and high school. He loses his parents near the beginning of the story, and from then on, his grandparents and his godfather, Uncle Peter, take over, trying to give him something close to what his parents wanted for him. This leads to hockey and Exeter, and away from the closeness of his large Italian family.
The prose in the boo More...
The prose in the boo More...
Feb 03, 2011
JennEllen
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My feelings for this book can be summed up in a single, eloquent statement: meh. I didn't love the book, nor did I hate it. There were things that I did enjoy--the characters were well-developed and there were several scenes that were touching and/or funny and/or profound. Overall, however, the tone struck me as self-indulgent, not only in the way that most memoirs (though this was a fictionalized memoir) tend to be, but also in the excessive flowery language and severe overuse of metaphors.
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Mar 23, 2010
Linda
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Revere is a seashore town in Massachusetts, and the narrator of this story, Anthony Benedetto, tells the story of his life. Anthony’s family is a close-knit one. He and his parents share a two-family house with his grandparents, and when his parents are killed in a plane crash, Anthony simply moves downstairs and is raised by his grandparents. He is especially close to his Uncle Peter, and Peter’s daughter Rosalie is Anthony’s best friend, although they part ways as Rosalie runs with a bad crow
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Feb 05, 2008
Amy
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This book is a coming-of-age story centered on Tonio, a young man growing up among an Italian-immigrant family in Revere in the 1960s. Revere is only a few towns away from me, so I read this book hoping to gain a historical perspective of the area, and how people from there came to become the way they are. However, this book turned out to be more of a memoir of Tonio's fictional life, with his feelings about himself, his family, and his life examined and discussed at length, and not so much of
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Nov 07, 2007
Suzy
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This book was recommended to me by Rich's dad who actually grew up in Revere, MA. He felt like the story and characters aptly described much of his own childhood. I've always enjoyed Rich's dad's stories about growing up back East, so I though that this would be at least a good book. I was right - but I had no idea how powerful and wonderful this book would really be!
It's your basic "coming of age" story; the main character is a young boy who is orphaned and then raised by More...
It's your basic "coming of age" story; the main character is a young boy who is orphaned and then raised by More...
Dec 30, 2008
Tamara
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Read this in one day. Having grown up in Revere, I could walk the streets with the protagonist and was so familiar with every place and thing he described: from the cookies at Russo's Bakery, to the altar at St. Anthony's Church... One of my favorite scenes is about encountering the young arsonist who torched the former incarnation of my elementary and junior high school.
Apr 14, 2010
Jackiew
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I originally got this book because my husband grew up near Revere. I enjoyed reading it because of my Italian background but I think my husband would enjoy it more because of the references to places that don't mean anything to me but would mean something to him. I liked the book though.
Dec 23, 2011
Karen
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This is a very good coming of age story about a young Italian boy in Revere, MA. It encompasses the angst, fears, and conflicting desires of any young person.
Unfortunately, I picked this up thinking it was going to be a lighter subject matter than it was. Had I been in the mood for an in-depth look at realistic characters I may have rated it even higher.
Unfortunately, I picked this up thinking it was going to be a lighter subject matter than it was. Had I been in the mood for an in-depth look at realistic characters I may have rated it even higher.
Sep 28, 2011
Mary
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A poignant coming of age novel of a boy in a loving Italian family in the 50's and 60's. Merullo captures the Revere, MA accent perfectly. Tonio's memories of the trials of adolescence and the joy of playing hockey in Revere, Boston and Exeter, NH are endearing.
Apr 09, 2009
JoAnne
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Loved this book. It brings you to my childhood era and the local flavor is powerful. It's a coming of age story about a young boy whose parents die,therefore he is raised by his extended Italian family. Fabulous
Feb 02, 2009
Sandy
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I was grewing up just over the harbour at that time.... I remember the plane crash that the fictional parents were said to have died in... I liked this book largely for the boy coming of age as I was....
Feb 24, 2011
RUSA
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This was one of the 2003 RUSA Notable Books winners. For the complete list, go to http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/a...
Nov 08, 2010
Desiree
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This is one of the best stories I have ever had the pleasure to read. Roland Merullo has a beautiful gift for writing. You can "feel" everything he describes in this wonderful story. I took my time reading as I didn't want to miss anything...I didn't want the story to end. Had a few good cries during reading...any author who can do that is tops in my book. This is a must have for my library and I can't wait to read more of his work.
Oct 31, 2011
Karol
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Really enjoy this author - he has a gift with portraying a feeling a mood, a memory. Something each reader can easily say, "yes!" to and find common ground.
Jun 19, 2011
Kathleen
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I am already crying as I read at Starbucks! Wonderful writing of an Italian-American family from the view of a young boy. Very engaging story and insightful writing that exposes life thoughts.
Feb 28, 2011
Evelyn
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Loved this book. As an Italian Catholic and a neighbor of Revere but also for the writing. I will look for other books by Roland Merullo
Sep 19, 2010
Debbie
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I loved this book. One of my favorites. Although the premise is sad, the boy's wonderful Italian-American family and his strong character kept you from pitying him. Plus the local angle makes it interesting, though I'm not too familiar with the North Shore.
Jan 28, 2012
Lori
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this man can write, wonderful story, makes you cry at times and laugh at others
Aug 10, 2011
Jcjen2
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It started off slow for me and was a little hard to get through, but by the end, I didn't want it to end! It does get you nostalgic for this city and makes you feel like you'd love to be part of the Benedetto family, despite the scenarios throughout the given generation; the family certainly does not lead an extraordinary life, but it's the acceptance, loyalty, and compassion within this family that remind me of my own family.
Jan 29, 2010
Sarah
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Adult fiction. Anthony Benedetto, a young boy in a large extended Italian-American family, descibes growing up in the working-class community of Revere, Massachusetts, but his youth is changed forever by the tragic deaths of his parents.
May 18, 2008
Sandy
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novel about growing up in greater Boston in same time frame I was growing up on Beacon Hill. I liked it for that simple reason.... parallel lives....
Jun 02, 2007
jeannine
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This was good; I read it one summah when we was down the cape for v'cation. I had a hahd time not saying 'Raveah' every time I read the title!! :) he he
Jul 19, 2011
corey
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actually a 3.5 for me. it was a pretty good story, and he's a very good storyteller.
Aug 14, 2008
Lundy
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Overall, a good hearted novel about a boy's upbringing in Revere, Mass.
