Paradise Salvage

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Summary: From Same City in Connecticut
Review: I am from the same city in CT that John Fusco grew up. I could not put this book down. I clearly remember the political problems that the author refers to. Fusco's description of the city and of his neighborhood is so colorful and accurate that I always knew exactly where he was referring to even when names were changed. My in-laws are "1st generation" Italians living in the neighborhood that Fusco describes in his book as his own and the description of the family dynamics is hysterical and accurate. I cannot emphasize how much I enjoyed this book. Anyone who enjoys family dynamics and a good mystery will enjoy this book.

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Summary: Rich taste story !
Review: I love this story. Because when I finished reading this book, it made me smile. Last three words remain in my heart and made me feel the same cool wind (toward the future) which 12-boy Nunzio should've felt after the last summer in his boyhood. I think "PARADISE SALVAGE" is about an Italian-American boy's coming-of-age story as well as universal children's one. I was surpried at some critical reviews here and considered why? When we were childs, small things were not small things. So once you see the world from Nunzio's viewpoint,things were filled with wonders and I smiled,laughed,wept,thrilled, and was moved while reading. I enjoyed several episodes about Italian-American lives. Those are realistic and visual. I've read this book as "a novel" and I recommend you who want to read a mix-cultured and adventurous boy's story.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic story about growing up in two cultures
Review: I loved the book. Fusco tells a story of an Italian-American family outside New York, but it is not for those of Italian ascent only. It is a warm story about growing up in two cultures, being third generation, which should appeal to those from Mayflower on and immigrants alike.

Nunzio, the 12 year old I of the book, who cares about his big brother and dad to the point where his stomach aches, who is thinking, loving, scared of crimes, awakening sexually, superstitious, and unforgettable.

Oh yes, it's also a crime story. But most of all it is a tale about growing up, reminding me of Mark Twain. The characters around Nunzio are also a treat, like the female gypsy cab driver Johnny from the Deep South, an ex-cop distant cousin in a wheel-chair with a monkey assistant, and much more. Also his Scottish mother and Italian relatives are quite a crowd.

Don't miss it, the humor is great. It's more a coming of age story than a thriller, but the thriller theme is all right, too.