In Revere, In Those Days: A Novel

"In Revere, In Those Days" is the best novel I have read in years...sensitive, dreamy, with all the love and rough edges of growing up, and all the hopes and sorrows of adulthood. Merullo just draws you in to the Benedetto family and Revere. The story is told through Anthony's eyes and the family emerges and developes as Anthony matures and understands his clan with more clarity. Despite the troubles that surround his Uncle Peter and his cousin Rosalie the love and care that root the Benedettos are evident. It's a tale of another time, another place, that any baby-boomer will recognize.

"Revere Beach, In Those Days" is the beautiful story of young Anthony Benedetto's spiritual journey that confirms his love for his Italian-American family even as he must cut many ties with the place and people of his childhood. It is the kind of rare book that made me want to reread it immediately. It would be a great choice for a book club; there are so many levels to it to be discussed, pondered. Anthony's unforgettable Grandfather has an idea for his grandson that helps him find his way in life. Merullo's idea for America is to rediscover the spiritual realm and to temper its hunger for the material one. How appropriate that Merullo is a Massachusetts writer. His story is told so elegantly that he makes masterful writing feel easy. One can only hope that he will write more books like this one. Encore!

Maybe it is because I am from Revere, maybe it is because I am an Italian American, maybe it is because I am a sensitive woman, surely it is because Roland Merullo is an exceptional writer!I felt like I was reading my history, and the history of my family as I was reading this story. The characters are all people I grew up with, the same insecurities, the same hopes and dreams, the same tragedies, and Mr. Merullo captured the heart and soul of life in a small town in America perfectly!I absolutely love this story, these characters and I am so Proud that I am a Revere person.I beg you to read this story and not laugh out loud and cry with your soul!I don't know how to thank Mr. Merullo enough for his insight, his humor; his soul must know my soul and I am forever in his debt.Enjoy,Debbi :)

Never pay attention to the dust jacket, but on the back of the book, Anita Shreve says "I was moved to tears," and she probably wasn't lying. When Peter takes Anthony to Exeter, when Lydia says goodbye, when Peter sings, it is hard to stop the tears from welling. Although the book is Anthony's coming of age story, it is mostly a portrait of Peter Benedetto, Anthony's tough, ex-boxer uncle. We see him in such intricate detail, from his fractured family life, to his not-quite-successful boxing career, to his life on the fringe, to his own sense of failure even though it is hard to imagine anyone more beloved by his family and community, that it is easy to forget that the story is Anthony's. Watching Anthony grow up in the background, the reader is right to focus on Uncle Peter. Merullo has written a wonderful book.

This is a memorable read featuring well developed characters and a finely crafted story. Similar to Nino Ricci's trilogy, Merullo adds a dimension of warmth and humor to his story. I was thrilled to discover this is not his first work and there are more Merullo works to be enjoyed.