Shepard Avenue Review

After his mother's death, Joey Ambrosio is taken to live with his grandparents by his father, Sal. Sal needs to take time off from his relationship with his 10 year old son to cope with his wife's death.

So Sal sells the house in Roslyn and takes off for parts unknown. Joey has a great deal to cope with, too: working through his grief and anger; forging a relationship with his grandparents and his uncle, people he has not seen for several years. Which leads to more anger for him to work through.

Add to this adjusting to the customs and habits of life in the Italian enclave in which his grandparents live. 1960's East new York. It's a very good first novel. Very well written. 

At the same time it's hard to feel sympathy for these emotionally crippled characters. But they are unfortunately an excellent portrayal of how people treat each other.

Shepherd Avenue. Sorry.