Customer Reviews

Little Italy

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

 

 

First time author, Joe Martinelli, has created his own niche with Rememberances. I kept smiling while reading this book. His depiction of Italian family life and his fondest boyhood memories made me nostalgic for an era gone by.

Joe Martinelli's slice of Italia takes place in the heart of one of two of Cincinnati's Little Italy's in his endearing look back to his boyhood days of growing up amongst the backdrop of jitterbugging, zoot suits, friends and more profoundly, his boyhood growth in the search for the opposite sex. It's easy to feel why the author found those days to be truly "places in the heart".

As I read Mr. Martinelli's memories of growing up in Little Italy,it struck me that this same scenario happened in all the large cities in the northeast. Whether it was the Little Italy of Boston, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh, the climate and characters were much the same. This book could have been written about my neighborhood in Pittsburgh. As I read, the similarities were astounding. I took my own trip back to the trials of puberty and the wonderful smells emanating from every kitchen in our apartment house. Thanks for the trip Mr. Martinelli.

In Little Italy, May, Burbank and Boone-Remembrances Joe Martinelli recounts for us a time of innocence, family loyalty, pride and patriotism growing up in a small Italian American Cincinnati neighborhood. A must read for Cincinnati residents of May, Burbank and Boone Streets and a delight for the rest of us.

It is easy to discern that Mr Martinelli is not a natural writer. Reflections of his life in Walnut Hills' Little Italy come sporadically, often times in a succession of non-linear thoughts, making it difficult for the reader to keep all of his stories straight.

That said, I am very grateful that Mr Martinelli (who has since passed away) chose to compile these thoughts. In my research of the development of Cincinnati's Walnut Hills community, his work is invaluable for insight into the Little Italy community. Even though some of his stories are likely embellished, he vividly describes the locations of local establishments which have all been forgotten.

So the four stars here are not a reflection of the book itself, but for the inadvertent resource that Martinelli left those trying to identify this historical community.