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 |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - snash - LibraryThingThe story set in South Philly is of two brothers who promised their mother on her death bed that they'd take care of each other. Raised by an abusive father and his next three wives, their ties were strong. The book focuses on that moment when those ties were sorely tested. Read full review
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Ambien birthday boy’s breath brother brother’s can’t Casano Charlie couldn’t Danny Danny’s Delaware County didn’t doesn’t door Eighth and Carpenter eyes face Father Parisi feels floor Frankie and Michael Frankie asks Frankie says Frankie’s fucking girl glass going grabs hadn’t hair hand he’d he’ll head hear Highbrook husband insisted isn’t Jack Jack’s Kettleman Kit’s knew leave live look Luigi man’s Mariano Michael asks Michael says Mikey Miss Eileen morning mother never night Papa Papa’s Philadelphia Philly pick Polly Polly’s priest promise Radio Flyer Randy Rocco Gagliano Saint Saint Rocco Sal Pinto she’d She’s shouts sitting sleep South Philadelphia staring station stop street Tastykake tell There’s they’re told Tommy Corcoran tonight trying voice waiting walk Walter Rudenstein wasn’t watch wearing What’s who’d who’s wife woman won’t young
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Boys from Eighth and Carpenter |
| Author | Tom Mendicino |
| Publisher | Kensington Books, 2015 |
| ISBN | 161773795X, 9781617737954 |
| Length | 304 pages |
| Subjects | › › Fiction / Crime Fiction / Family Life / General Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |