Wonderful Summer Read

Hello.

Today, I regretfully finished reading North River, by Pete Hamill. Last week, I hesitantly picked up a copy of this book at our local library. The characters and the time period (doctor, depression era) intrigued me so I thought I'd give it a try. I was not disappointed.

Pete Hamill intricately wove a historical theme, with suspense and sorrow, into a subtly romantic love story between an Irish doctor, his abandoned Mexican grandson and a Sicilian immigrant. The book is filled with descriptions of life in NYC that are so authentic that your mouth waters as the author describes the braciole and pasta dishes and your heart beats faster as you follow the doctor into a meeting with a notorious mob boss. You inhabit the characters (everyone of them) and act out their lives in your minds-eye. The ending is as it should be-an extension of personal and societal evolution.

The book haunts you. You will carry the characters and their dilemmas with you throughout your waking day and dream about them during your sleep.

Thank you Mr. Hamill for your sensitive and brilliant use of characterization, plot and setting. You have enriched my summer reading experience.

Have hope,
Donna

PS. I am aware that the title of this novel should be underlined and I apologize for not doing so. My computer finesse is poor and I was unable to figure out how to do so.