The Boys from Eighth and CarpenterS. Gagliano & Son has been a barber shop fixture in South Philly for decades. Frankie and Michael Gagliano’s Italian immigrant father—Luigi to his customers, Papa to his sons—presides over the store, enlisting his children as soon as they’re big enough to wield a broom. On their mother’s deathbed, eight-year-old Frankie swears that he and his little brother will always take care of each other, a vow he endeavors to keep through their father’s violent outbursts and the string of wives who try to take their mother’s place. After their father’s death, Frankie takes over the shop, transforming it to fit in with the gentrifying neighborhood. Michael becomes a successful prosecutor with a rising political career, still close to his big brother despite the differences between them. Then comes an unthinkable, impulsive act that will force Michael to choose between risking his comfortable life and keeping a sacred oath—made before he knew how powerful a promise can be. The Boys from Eighth and Carpenter is a stunning evocation of working-class Italian-American life—a story of brotherhood, loyalty, and the contradictory, unpredictable nature of family love. “The Boys from Eighth and Carpenter is a heartfelt story of two loving brothers as well as a compelling crime drama all set in the changing city of Philadelphia. Tom Mendicino is a supremely gifted writer with an eye for the most telling of details, and I loved this novel!”--Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author "At the heart of this capacious and suspenseful novel is the bond between two very different brothers, but its larger context is the Italian-American family: its values, loyalties and responsibilities. Tom Mendicino writes with honesty and compassion, and the reader can't help but root for his endearing characters."--Christopher Castellani, author of All This Talk of Love |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Ambien bathroom birthday breath brother Casano Catherine of Siena Charlie cheesesteak Danny daugh dead Delaware County District door Eighth and Carpenter eyes face Father Parisi Father Ted feels floor Frankie and Michael Frankie asks Frankie says Frankie's fucking girl glass going grabs hair hand he'd He’s head hear Highbrook husband insisted Jack Kettleman kitchen knew leave live look Luigi Mariano Matteo Ricci methamphetamine Michael asks Michael says Mikey Miss Eileen morning mother never night Obama Papa Papa's Philadelphia Philly pick Polly priest promise Radio Flyer Randy Rocco Gagliano Saint Saint Rocco Sal Pinto shouts sitting sleep South Philadelphia staring station stop street Sullivan Award talk Tastykake tell There's told Tommy Corcoran tonight trying turned voice waiting walk Walter Rudenstein watch wearing wife woman young