Old Italian Neighborhood Values

By Stephen L. DeFelice

Book Overview

What do the boys reared during the 50s in an old Italian neighborhood in the city of Philadelphia think about modern-day values in America? Why not join us on September 6, 2001 at La Strega Restaurant... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1403362742
• ISBN13: 9781403362742
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: 1st Book Library
• Length: 412 Pages
• Weight: 1.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Lost traditional values

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed Old Italian Neighborhood Values. It's about lost traditional values in modern times. This novel was enlightening for me because it gave me a glimpse of some of the values of my grandparents' generation (saving money, importance of family, etc.) that were not passed on to my generation (I'm 26). I highly recommend this thought-provoking and insightful novel.

Traditional Values Forged in the Old Italian Neighborhood

What do six guys reared during the 50s in an old Italian neighborhood in the city of Philadelphia think about modern-day values in America? We join them on September 6, 2001 at La Strega Restaurant in New York?s Little Italy for their annual dinner, during which they serve up strong opinions and barbs on subjects such as politics, sex, family stability, divorce, abortion, culture and food.The boys? festa at La Strega includes a new, first-time guest, Genella, the sensual, vivacious, girlfriend of the recently deceased Rocco, one of the old gang. Genella brings a singularly unique perspective to the table: She?s not Italian and is a ?big-time madam dealing with big-time clients on the fancy side of Manhattan.? Her views on everything from sexual perversions to abortion keep the boys on their collective toes.Old Italian Neighborhood Values, delves into the human spirit and offers helpful prescriptions on ways to handle the problems of modern life. It is must reading not only for Italian Americans but also for everybody else. This bittersweet novel takes a hard look at how American values have changed in the past 50 years through the eyes of this group of colorful paesans from ?the old neighborhood? that meet annually for a dinner of fine Italian food, accompanied by Italian opera and free-flowing spirits. You?ll meet such characters as Emilo Serio or ?the Pig,? a sensitive state-paid social worker and seminary dropout; Mo, or Carlo Carluzzi, the owner of a large construction company and giant of a man who uses his mental and physical strength to protect his friends; Spinuzzi, or John Esposito, a physican who specializes in clinical research and a keen observer of human behavior including sexual habits; and Pussey Rapper, or Joe Ravelli, the liberal publisher of a local newspaper who agonizes over the fate of his three divorced sons.A few of the opinions offered that night include:? What do you think? What is respect, and why is it important??? We seem to have forgotten that sex is an extremely powerful thing. It is not simply a pleasure like eating a great meal. It is a potentially- disruptive driving force that, I believe, affects most behavior, good and bad.?? There is no doubt that women are drinking and drugging too much, and that?s playing a big role in screwed-up families.?? Yes, our parents were always ?there? when we were kids, and they?re not really ?there? today.?? Please note that I do not recommend balsamic vinegar, but good old-fashioned red vinegar. This country is going bananas over balsamic vinegar.?The group?s strong opinions were forged during their years growing up in the old Italian neighborhood, where once a guy formed an opinion, it was extremely difficult to get him to change his mind. The reader becomes a ?fly on the wall? as the gang of testadure?or hardheads?try valiantly to persuade and dissuade each other. The conversation at La Strega this evening may become heated and even, at times, x-rated, but never dull.

What a reminiscent read!

I am 1/2 Italian and 1/2 German and raised around family from Italy. I really enjoyed this book because it reunited me in a sense with my Italian family.Even if you're not Italian, it's a wild ride and a fun peak into a very cultural exchange about traditional values as well as the modern lifestyle and how it has affected our values.It hits every topic imaginable -- family, kids, sex, 9/11.It's the first novel I've read in 10 years and was well worth it.