JOHNNY CARUSO IS BORN into the urban turmoil of 1950s and '60s working-class Brooklyn. Wedged between the limited worldview of his parents-alcoholic and abusive Bellisario and browbeaten, unstable Maria-and his liberal-minded older brother and sister, young Johnny struggles to navigate his childhood and adolescence. Overwhelmed by his family's thorny dynamics and grappling with low self-esteem, Johnny finds himself in a downward spiral, cheating on exams and shoplifting with friends. He is fortunate to have a few caring adults in his life, and eventually, with their help and his innate curiosity and resilience, Johnny is afforded an opportunity that promises to alter the course of his life. JOHNNY BOY explores external chaos and the inner turmoil of a young protagonist who possesses intelligence, perseverance, and an unwavering sense of humanity. Told with honesty and passion, JOHNNY BOY is immersive and timeless, an authentic flesh-and-bones coming-of-age story infused with a cinematic megadose of twenty-first century realism.
Writer, actor, visual artist and musician, John Califano has performed in clubs, art galleries, feature films, and Off-Broadway productions.JOHNNY BOY is John's debut novel. His writing is featured in The Broadkill Review, the Willesden Herald's New Short Stories Series (UK), Adelaide Literary Magazine, The Writing Disorder, Poetry Super Highway, Across the Margin, and Embark, an international literary journal for novelists.John grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and lives in Manhattan where he works helping at-risk parolees transition back into the workforce.You can visit John online at: www.johncalifano.com
Show moreJOHNNY CARUSO IS BORN into the urban turmoil of 1950s and '60s working-class Brooklyn. Wedged between the limited worldview of his parents-alcoholic and abusive Bellisario and browbeaten, unstable Maria-and his liberal-minded older brother and sister, young Johnny struggles to navigate his childhood and adolescence. Overwhelmed by his family's thorny dynamics and grappling with low self-esteem, Johnny finds himself in a downward spiral, cheating on exams and shoplifting with friends. He is fortunate to have a few caring adults in his life, and eventually, with their help and his innate curiosity and resilience, Johnny is afforded an opportunity that promises to alter the course of his life. JOHNNY BOY explores external chaos and the inner turmoil of a young protagonist who possesses intelligence, perseverance, and an unwavering sense of humanity. Told with honesty and passion, JOHNNY BOY is immersive and timeless, an authentic flesh-and-bones coming-of-age story infused with a cinematic megadose of twenty-first century realism.
Writer, actor, visual artist and musician, John Califano has performed in clubs, art galleries, feature films, and Off-Broadway productions.JOHNNY BOY is John's debut novel. His writing is featured in The Broadkill Review, the Willesden Herald's New Short Stories Series (UK), Adelaide Literary Magazine, The Writing Disorder, Poetry Super Highway, Across the Margin, and Embark, an international literary journal for novelists.John grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and lives in Manhattan where he works helping at-risk parolees transition back into the workforce.You can visit John online at: www.johncalifano.com
Show moreWriter, actor, visual artist and musician, John Califano has performed in clubs, art galleries, feature films, and Off-Broadway productions.JOHNNY BOY is John's debut novel. His writing is featured in The Broadkill Review, the Willesden Herald's New Short Stories Series (UK), Adelaide Literary Magazine, The Writing Disorder, Poetry Super Highway, Across the Margin, and Embark, an international literary journal for novelists.John grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and lives in Manhattan where he works helping at-risk parolees transition back into the workforce.
"From the first few pages of this fantastic book, I felt I understood the main character's personality and the dynamics of this family. This novel truly evoked strong emotions as I read it. I was sad to finish this book as I wanted to know about Johnny's next chapter of his life. An exceptional story from a very talented author." - 5 Stars, Readers' Favorite"Califano's prose delivers the realism of a memoir... the author's descriptions bring a feeling of immediacy to each scene. The emotions behind (Johnny's) relationship with his parents, are heartbreakingly authentic. Keen writing illuminates a collection of striking memories." - Kirkus Review"Johnny Boy is truly outstanding-that exceedingly rare kind of book, gorgeously written, powerful and authentic in its details, it flies high above most fiction and hits right at the core of what it's like to be a sensitive kid growing up in a chaotic place-in this case, Brooklyn, NY, circa the '60s." - Philip Elliott, Editor-In-Chief, Into The Void Magazine"Fiction can serve many storytelling purposes. But it is notably impressive when it manages to uncannily replicate real life in ways that are powerfully resonant with how people actually talk, act, feel and live. And author John Califano does just that with impressive success in JOHNNY BOY." - IndieReader"Johnny is the quintessential universal protagonist. I was amazed by how the author was able to convey the thoughts we often have but never find the right words to say them out loud. I learned so much about myself through this story. It was so fulfilling and almost magical to read. Very entertaining!" - 5 Stars, Readers' Favorite"Califano conjures (characters) with the skill of a master storyteller. He has an ear for voices and dialects that add a layer of realism to these imagined characters. Not a word is out of place in the mouths of each Caruso kid as their hopes, fears, and frustrations are released in every argument and conversation. Each encounter propels the story forward as Johnny careens in and out of potential destructive pathways. The family conflict leaves the fate of Johnny uncertain as he moves through junior high into high school and compels the reader to keep turning pages."- U.S. Review of Books: Recommended"A compelling work of fiction bearing the authentic voice of a memoir, JOHNNY BOY by John Califano is a visceral slice of life from a skilled, but subtle pen. Narrating through the eyes and mindset of a young boy can often come across as overly sentimental, but Califano artfully captures the innocence of childhood-and the savage loss of it. This vulnerable account of growing up makes for excellent, heartfelt reading, and Califano shows abundant skill in this debut novel."─ 4 Stars, Self-Publishing Review"Johnny Boy is a quick read. The author creates vivid childhood scenes that are gripping. I loved the depth of character and followed the development of the protagonist with keen interest. The prose is beautiful and highly descriptive and the narrative remains real and gripping. It is a story with powerful lessons, well told, and with scenes that will resonate with many readers." - 5 Stars, Readers' Favorite
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
