Customer Reviews

Daddy's Tavern

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Have you seen the snail man" a secret that has haunted Mel for a very long time, so
long he will even carry it to his grave with him. Mel is the owner of the local Tavern
on Maude Avenue. A woman that is married to a sailor; she losses her life; she is
murdered. Her son Lenny is left to fend for himself. Abused, Mistreated, Abandoned
Lenny has to find out what life is all about through two older men on Maude Street,
Pazzolli and Mel. As you watch Lenny grow he finds out hidden secrets about his
friends and family; but the biggest secret still is left uncovered. He lives out his life
as roller coaster. He experiences so many pains and realities that a child should not
have to face. He joins the army, but still it does not help him forget his past, "Lenny
you really are a Roach." Lenny is taken in by Mel and is given a small room to stay
in. He lets his life drift by not really letting his self live. A beautiful woman buys the
house in front of Mel's tavern, she begins to renovate it. As the woman, named
Rachel sets out to renovate the old house she hires Lenny to be her handyman.
Working for only $80 dollars a week, with meals provided; Lenny finds a new
meaning to life. Meanwhile while Lenny is growing in heart the neighborhood
children have been coming up missing. For many years no one knows what was
happening to them. Boche, Lenny's best friend takes over the job at the Playground
as he deals with many issues that plague him from the past. The picture man knows
the answer too many untold secrets of Maude Avenue. This book is filled with love,
faith, overcoming all odds. It also is a book of secrets, mystery, murder and mayhem.
This is a brilliant story; the author writes in such an unique style it will lead you into
many different lives. Come take a moment and reside on Maude Avenue, watch
Lenny grow and learn, discover secrets that lay hidden underneath the dust of
Maude Street. Maude is really alive, you must read to believe. I give this book 5
stars.

A book that was hard to put down.
Well written with outstanding composed of character structure and superb story design. The characters Curt E. Gibson created in this wonderful book draw me in, as I was part of each character. The story bought my emotions in and out from hate, happiness, sadness, to gladness as I read each word. Each line kept me wondering what it was going to be next. The enjoyable ending made me forget all the bad times Lenny (the main character) had to experience. A hell of a book. I could tell it came from deep within. As I closed the last page and put my glasses down on the table. I said to myself, It could be a movie. It's that good. I truly believe that this book could easily find itself on Oprah Winfrey book collection. I recommend it for all book lovers. If I can make a recommendation for moviemakers, this story could be a top hit. A note to the writer Curt E. Gibson, you're a true storyteller. Your book will be part of my personal collection. Thanks for sharing your talent and brilliants with picky readers like myself. "Daddy's Tavern" by Curt E. Gibson? A book that was hard to put down.

Edward Vasquez

Daddy's Tavern, by Curtis E. Gibson


Daddy's Tavern is a surprisingly beautiful, moving tale. With a powerful sense of atmosphere and word-perfect dialog the author brings all the scents and sights and sounds of 1960's Chicago to vivid life. Maud Avenue and Mel's Tavern are peopled with a memorable cast of characters. And the wounds of life are covered over like street-car tracks, patched and reopened and cleansed by the passage of time.



The novel begins with the all-too-believable tale of a lonely woman whose husband is far from home. A child is born out of wedlock, his life blighted by experiences that are never fully described. Vietnam adds to his chapter of pain, but the story lies not in what life has done to him, but in what he can still make out of his life with the help of his friends.

A theme of stolen childhood runs through the novel, a darkness and a sense of pain that moves the reader almost to tears. Mysteries lurk in dark corners. Parents mourn. But hope survives and a beautiful balance is maintained both in the writing and in the plot. By the final page the reader can only pause for breath, closing the covers with delight.



A rare treat, and a wonderful read, Daddy's Tavern has taken me to a place that I'd love to visit again. And Maud Avenue lives on.



Rating: 5 stars


Reviewer: Sheila Deeth

Reviewed by: Poetic Monthly

Don't expect to put this one down once you begin! Everything about this book is superb! Curtis Gibson keeps the reader on the edge of his seat. His style and character development is fabulous.

I bought my Daughter Brother-In _Law book that he has been writing for a long time for my Daughter and she said wow it is a good book I give it a 5 Star he did a good job writing about his life in Chicago,IL and what happen when they were growing up and if he write another book I will but it .good job to my Brother-In-Law ,Betty Gonzales

Set in mid-twentieth century Chicago, Daddy's Tavern follows the happenings of a single street, Maude Avenue. Lenny McCammon comes from an abusive home, and experiences more heartache than a boy his age should endure. When a tragedy leaves him with no family, he is taken in by the local tavern owner, Mel. Gradually Lenny turns his life around, with the assistance of his friend Boche, Mel, and Rachel, the newest resident whom Lenny begins to develop feelings for. Meanwhile, the children in the neighborhood have been disappearing over the years, falling victim to a sadistic stranger with ulterior motives. The parallel storylines eventually collide, forever changing the lives of the characters.

Curt Gibson has painted such a vivid portrait of Maude Avenue in its entirety--the secrets, the desperation, and the hope. Daddy's Tavern is a thrilling read, with dynamic characters and subtle yet profound messages of friendship, family, and redemption.

In Curtis Gibson's wonderful novel, "Daddy's Tavern" I found a neighborhood in decay, woven into a tapestry rich with the human element. Amidst despair, poverty and immorality, Mr. Gibson skillfully paints a canvas with his words that engulf the reader with a wealth of sights, sounds and scents.

His central characters are well developed and one can easily experience the feelings of each person as they go through them. This is a tale of love and hate, of trial and triumph. There are kinships and friendships that transcend blood relationships, depicting both the good and bad aspects of the human psyche. I found this story both heartbreaking and uplifting alternately throughout. It will fill you with hope.

This is a terrific ride on the roller coaster of life that I would recommend to anyone, and willingly give it 5 stars ***** as a rating.

Zada Connaway
Author of "Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3"
ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0