Bonnie S. (Bonnie) - reviewed A complete surprise from this author on 10/27/2008 + 422 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

Having read and listened to Hegi's Stones from the River, I was so very surprised at this book--about the Bronx, yet! I really enjoy these type of NYC family tales, such as A Bronx Tale, Lost in Yonkers, etc, and this did not disappoint. This book drips the Bronx of the 1950's with capital letters, the people, their accent, the smells and sounds. There is typical Italian family closeness, and with it, the resentments when a brother takes in his sister's family when her husband is jailed--again. It starts as young Anthony's tale, and that of his twin cousins, Bianca and Belinda, and the tragedy that befalls them on snowy December night when Anthony, jealous of the perfect Glass Wax stencils Belinda is dabbing on the windows, resentful of the girls now having his bedroom, his space, encourages sad Bianca to spread her Superman cape and fly from the 5th floor window to her absent father. A secret, a sin, that is known by all, but acknowledged aloud by none. This is the common thread through the tale that moves to his parents, the twins parents stories, and then back to Anthony.
Through three generations, to contemporary Bronx, we travel with this family through heartbreak, deceit and at long last, redemption. This is a strong, emotional book that drips true human nature and frailties. A bit of everything: man leaves wife for younger woman, she has an affair with a man just barely out of his teens. Priest leaves the church, but not his faith, for the love of a woman. And a love fulfilled after 30 long years yearning.
(An added plus for the audio: One of the readers is Mercedes Ruehl, who is absolutely marvelous in her native accent, powerful as Leonora, Anthony's mother. And Annabella Sciorra is darn good, too.

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