BOOK REVIEWS ~

Downtown / Uptown

© Authored and Illustrated
by Giovanni Caliendo

Description:

Arousing Events + Emotions = “Downtown / Uptown”

      Life's experiences seldom change without a human struggle and a nudge is often needed to move everyone along to where we can freely admit, "We have made a tangible progress in our lives . . . "

      In this novel we find the principal character, Tom Martin, who is that individual who has been nudging his fellow man with various levels of success. In Tom Martin's case we perhaps see ourselves and how we would like the world around us.

     There is, however, an exception that manifests itself  throughout Tom’s life, while he struggles to be true to himself while providing the basic comforts for his family. Outside forces from his distant past constantly remind him of his vulnerability while disrupting his community and threatening family members.

     Tom Martin is no stranger to us. To meet Tom Martin it would be like meeting one of our neighbors. He's always well liked, at times; he's always faithful to his religious beliefs, at times; he never speaks ill of anyone, at times. Tom Martin only has a few requirements that he expects everyone to follow as he does each day of the week.

      Tom Martin is in his retirement years has returned to live at the old family farm. In his rural community he is at once beloved for being stubbornly fair-minded, despised for abiding to his personal perception of justice and common law. There is also lots of subtle humor sprinkled throughout while certain issues will challenge the readers to reflect about the past and current events. As in all human calamities, eventually things do get out of control for the characters and for life as they have come to accept. And by the way, at this point it's also when Tom becomes aware that death is, inevitable and irreversible  . . . then all hell breaks loose! ~

     ~ I loosely took the liberty to set this story in a rural setting after spending several summers in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. At the time – and being originally from Italy – I soon became infatuated by the wonderful people I met deep in the local backwoods' and those many others who lived in town. Their guarded hospitality contrasted with my background as they made each of my summers a most welcomed experience away from the multi cultures of south Florida and New York City, where I first spent my early years in the United States.

      I hasten to say that this story it's with all due suspect, not morbid. In fact, once you read the first few pages many of you may find yourself saying, ". . . Tom, that is exactly what I would have done!" Or after reading further some will find the need to pause and reflect, chuckle, and ask, ". . . Is that how it really was not so long ago? . . . " ~ G. C.

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