Publisher: SixOneSeven Books
Publication Date: May 2012
Category: Historical Fiction
Source: I won a signed copy from Audra @ Unabridged Chick, thanks!
Description:
The year is 1960 and the place is the Bronx. All twelve-year-old Ricky Davis wants to do is play stickball with his friends and flirt with the building super’s daughter. But when his father crosses gangster Nathan Glucksman and goes into hiding, Ricky has to take over his father’s bookie business and figure out a way to pay back his debt—before the gangsters make good on their threats. Meanwhile, Ricky’s mother, Pearl, a fading beauty of failed dreams, plots to raise the money by embezzling funds from one of her boss’s clients: Elizabeth Taylor. Even Ricky’s nearly blind grandmother comes up with a less-than-ethical scheme to help.
Fast-paced, engrossing and full of heart, The Bookie’s Son paints the picture of a family forced to decide just how much they’re willing to sacrifice for each other—and at what cost.
My Thoughts:
I enjoy a good coming of age story and this one was better than good. The characters are fantastic and the story is completely believable. In fact I had to keep reminding myself that this is not a memoir. I’ll be honest, I checked the flap more than once to just to be sure.
The Bookie’s Son is a moving combination of levity and drama that I couldn’t put down. I only wish the book had been longer.
The description of this book doesn’t do it justice. Sadly, if I hadn’t won this copy I probably wouldn’t have picked it up on my own. (Thanks again Audra!) I’ve discovered an author and a publishing company to keep my eyes on.
The Relentless Reader 
This sounds very good….thanks for your review.My TBR pile is toppling over!!ElizabethSilver's ReviewsMy Blog
LikeLike
Toppling TBR piles..ah yes, I know just what you mean 😉
LikeLike
I read this a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I'm glad you did, too!
LikeLike
I couldn't believe how true it seemed! Great read
LikeLike
How interesting! I thought it was a true story with the cover and all, but I guess not!!! 🙂 Especially since you talked about how you probably would not have picked it up but enjoyed it, I might have to see if I can find it!
LikeLike