Knock on Any Door"Willard Motley's 1947 best seller shocked the nation with its harsh depiction of the dark underbelly of the American dream. Knock on Any Door dramatizes young immigrant Nick Romano's struggle to survive when his father's business folds, leaving his family with no choice but to move to a poor neighborhood across town. A series of petty crimes land the former Catholic altar boy in reform school, where forceful "rehabilitation" only creates a hardened and resistant spirit among the inmates. Once released, Nick returns to Chicago, where family conflicts and a brief, tragic marriage spiral him further downward, culminating in his arrest for the murder of a police officer. The whole city watches the thrilling legal battle unfold as Nick takes the stand to fight for his life."--Goodreads |
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ain't alley answer asked Aunt bars beat called chair cigarette close courtroom dark didn't don't door Emma eyes face feel feet fellows felt fingers floor front girl give glass Grant grinned hair half hand hard head held inside Judge Drake Julian jurors jury Kerman killed knew laughed leaned legs light lips live looked Madison Morton mouth moved never Nick Nick looked Nick's Nicky night Owen play police pulled pushed remember Riley Romano Rosa running shoulders side sitting slowly smiled stand started steps stood stopped street Sunshine talk tell thing thought told took touched trying turned twisted Vito voice waited walked wall watched West window witness