A Bronx Boy's Tale is the story of a boy growing up in a special place at a very special time. Providing a neighborhood context to historical events, A Bronx Boy's Tale helps you see America through the eyes of one boy who grew up in a time of tremendous change and strife, but who still had time to live a grand life in the greatest place on Earth. If you grew up in the Bronx, or only wish you had, you should read this book.
I received a copy of this book from the author's assistant in exchange for an honest review.
If you know my personal tastes, you know I am not exactly the biggest fan of nonfiction. I read it, and some of it I really enjoy, but I usually find memoirs to be quite droll. They can be just a simple collection of memories that fall short of literary greatness.
A Bronx Boy's Tale is not one of those memoirs.
Like Frank McCourt's trilogy of autobiographies, Mr. Newell tells a tale that will immediately transport you into, not just his mind, but his life. You feel yourself in the Bronx in the 50's, experiencing every single thing described. You can hear the city, feel the energy it weaves around you.
A memoir is only as strong as its writer, and Mr. Newell's talents are shining here. His words invite you to use all your senses in a way: because you're not just reading this book, you're living it.
My godfather actually grew up in the Bronx, and to read this story of what is was really like in that era made me feel closer to him, closer to everyone who was around back then. I feel like I experienced what they did firsthand.
Even if you don't like nonfiction, please give this book a try. It's charming, sweet and a little sassy, too. Mr. Newell has the ability to be one of America's great writers.
5/5--wonderful!
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