Across 7th Street

by Marino Amoruso

Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn, NY, with it's busy stores, esplanades and bus stops is the hub of this Brooklyn neighborhood. At the intersection of 7th Street, there is an invisible line, the cultural divide that separates the Orthodox Jews and the Italian-Americans who live there. ACROSS 7th STREET is a story of romance and coming of age, during 'the last era of innocence' in the early 1960's, just before world events erupted into turbulent times. The story is told by Vincent; a 20-year-old streetwise kid who grows into a man before our very eyes.Vincent's father is an Italian stonemason and they work together for many of the Jewish families in the neighborhood. While on a job for Mr. Levy, an Orthodox Jewish businessman - Vincent meets his daughter Rachel. Their attraction to each other is undeniable but very complicated. Although they live blocks away from each other - they are divided by 7th Street.Rachel, 20 years old, is a smart and beautiful young woman who is still controlled by her stern father. Vincent begins to show her a world that is much bigger and more exciting than the rigid and smothering adult life that has already been planned by her Orthodox Jewish parents.ACROSS 7th STREET connects us to both the joy of new love and the pain of loss. Vincent's friends and family add humor, loyalty and compassion as they watch Vincent fall in love with a young woman whose life couldn’t be any more different than his. Truly, an unforgettable story about the power of destiny and the surprising paths our lives often take. Vincent and Rachel’s plans and unforeseen circumstances take readers on a ride that seems familiar but changes course at the worst possible time. It is a heart-warming view of the NY Jewish and Italian-American cultures in the early 60’s and will spark nostalgic memories of those years. For young adult readers, ACROSS 7th STREET takes them into the world of their parents or grandparents with a love story that evolved during simpler times. As Rachel and Vincent come of age, their human emotions are the same as every generation before and after.

236 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2011

Reviews

[Cheriefeinberg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t bother to finish this book. It was very amateurish. It was an interesting premise but there were many things that seemed to show that the author didn’t research the Orthodox community. An Orthodox student would not go to study at a library on a Friday night as one instance. Also, I found the dialogue in the book very amateurish.

[Laurenjs411 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Although there was some repetiveness, this is a special book for anyone who grew up in the 60s in Brooklyn. Vincent is a Catholic Italian boy who meets Orthodox Jewish Rachel and they fall in love. Growing up in a Brooklyn Jewish family I always had Italian boyfriends so I really enjoyed this bittersweet story.

[Sharyn Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this beautiful story and peak into New York in the early 60’s. I could hear a lot of the characters about felt like I was walking among them. I will think of Vincent and Rachel for years to come.

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish.

[Deborah R.Chinnici · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Excellent book enjoyed reading it would tell family and friends to read it ,l will be reading this author books

[Lindi Rudnicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It was a quick an easy book to read!

[Eleanor Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remembering Brooklyn

I could not put this book down. I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I am Jewish and about that same time span I was seeing a boy who was not Jewish. My parents told me I cannot see him anymore. I obeyed and to this day I am so sorry I did. I should have followed my heart. If Rachel had lived, I feel they would have had a great
Life. Guess life is not always fair. I did cry with Vincent but he did move ahead and had all his memories.

[Lisa DeViney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read about a romance between a working class Italian boy and a working class Hassidic Jewish girl that takes place in 1960s Brooklyn. Some of it is very formulaic - the Holocaust backstories were so familiar I had to check and made sure I hadn't read the book before. But, enjoyable nonetheless. It has a sad ending. The moral of the story seems to be that the cultural and religious divide is too wide to cross, even if it's only a few streets apart.

[Kati Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books about romantic relationships between orthodox Jewish girls and non Jewish boys. This book was one of the best. I loved the blossoming relationship between Rachel and Vincent turn into a deep love. I don't often cry when I read books, but this story moved me to tears. Definitely recommend this book.

[Reading Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

This is one of those books that as you near the end you don't know if you want to continue reading as when it's over you must close the cover. SIGH! Read it, this story will touch your heart and you too will sigh as you close the cover.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tissue Alert!!

[Lorri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 is my actual rating.