Tempting Faith Di Napoli

I usually don't go for "coming of age" books, but this one had a kind of nerve. I don't know how to describe it but it felt "new". I have reviewed books on this site, but none like this which is a good thing, I think. So I give it full stars because it reminded me of me, sure, most coming of ages books do that well. But why this book soars is the weird energy of the thing. It's frankly different, that's all I can say. It made me laugh out loud in surprising places. When Faith's losing her virginity, accidentally, to a middle aged black woman, I had to remind myself what I was reading, and then laugh, which, really, was something I had never read before. I'm still astonished. What a writer!! I need more. Another new thing. I'm from Brandon. I missed the line to tell you that, so that's where I'm from, a teacher. Anyway. I want my student to read this. It's wonderful.Hope this helps.Marianna.

This was one of the best books I have ever read. Equally heartbreaking, and hilarious. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to feel what it is like to be in a REAL family, with real dilemmas, and real love. This family, as disfunctional as they were, really loved eachother, were truly close in every way. I adored each and every one of them. This was a wonderful book, it will make you laugh and cry, and the characters remain in my heart long after the last page is turned. I loved it!!!

I loved this book, bought it because of an excerpt in the National Post that made me want to read more. So many of the experiences of the members of this family brought back memories of growing up in the same area where the book took place. Such a wacky, dysfunctional family, but some of the characters seemed so real,I actually laughed out loud through parts, and could have cried at others.

I bought this on recommendation from a friend and I have to say it's one of my favourite books ever. I loved it more than Cure For Death By Lightening which I just adore. The Dinapolis are so recognizable to me as a real, real family, I laughed along with them, then in turn, I cried for them. Ms. Gabriele is a national treasure for writing such a pure and honest book about growing up the way she did. I felt like I was there with them, in some intance I could hear their voices. (I know, I am Italian (half) and from London, Ont. so I am biased, but still.) Thank you for this book. Grazie.

I borrowed an advance copy from my sister's friend, and with no expectations, I was seriously blown away. I haven't read a book that made my cry and laugh on the same page since I read David Sedaras's Naked. You won't want it to end. Nancy DiNapoli, the mother, is one of the most memorable people ever committed to the page. Lovely, wonderful, and fully alive....