Life didn’t do Kenny Tingle any favors. In The Girl in the Italian Bakery, follow his journey from childhood in a tough housing project north of Boston, the abduction and disappearance of a childhood friend, to the complete destruction of a family. His introduction to crime and the years he spent in foster homes. The poor choices he made in high school and the startling climax on prom night. Although he never has trouble meeting girls, the one girl he longs for always seems out of reach. The Girl in the Italian Bakery is the remarkably true story of always keeping hope, even when there is little left to hope for. This is a story of surviving through extreme adversity, and, ultimately, redemption.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Author Kenneth M. Tingle is a former United States Marine. His various duties included membership in a security detachment for the U.S. embassy, Cairo, Egypt. He holds degrees in Health Care Management and Registered Nursing, both earned with honors. As a college student he was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society. He has worked in numerous medical specialties, including Cardio-Pulmonary medicine at Spaulding Rehabilitative Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, considered one of the best hospitals in the United States (U.S. News and World Report). He has worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in both the Department of Public Health and Department of Mental Retardation. He enjoys jogging and physical fitness, as well as spending time with wife Kathy, son Ken Jr., and daughter Nicole. He lives in Windham, New Hampshire.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
95 of 102 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To read the blurb, you would think that Kenny Tingle was born and everything was downhill from there. That is not the case. His life had a lot of downhill runs but, ultimately, this is a memoir of hope. He overcame his upbringing to become a substantial citizen.
We are introduced to Kenny when he is about six, the youngest of three boys, the oldest of whom has mental disabilities. They are being raised by a single mother in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Although there is no indication why, she does not seem able to handle the boys and after a while does not take an active part in their upbringing.
This is a rare look at white urban poor. Kenny gets into the foster system for good and for ill depending upon the foster parents. He drops out of school, goes back, works while in school, drinks, smokes, commits crimes, enjoys hijinks with friends, yet overcomes it all. This is testimony to the human spirit (not to mention the Marine Corps).
The book is well-written and the characters seem like something out of a modern day Dickens tale - indicating how some things have not changed in a few hundred years. Mr. Tingle is brutally honest about his faults and short-comings and more than modest about how his efforts lifted him out of the mire of crime-ridden poverty.
This is a stark look at youth in a depressed old mill city. Ultimately, you'll just have to smile at Kenny's destiny.
We are introduced to Kenny when he is about six, the youngest of three boys, the oldest of whom has mental disabilities. They are being raised by a single mother in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Although there is no indication why, she does not seem able to handle the boys and after a while does not take an active part in their upbringing.
This is a rare look at white urban poor. Kenny gets into the foster system for good and for ill depending upon the foster parents. He drops out of school, goes back, works while in school, drinks, smokes, commits crimes, enjoys hijinks with friends, yet overcomes it all. This is testimony to the human spirit (not to mention the Marine Corps).
The book is well-written and the characters seem like something out of a modern day Dickens tale - indicating how some things have not changed in a few hundred years. Mr. Tingle is brutally honest about his faults and short-comings and more than modest about how his efforts lifted him out of the mire of crime-ridden poverty.
This is a stark look at youth in a depressed old mill city. Ultimately, you'll just have to smile at Kenny's destiny.
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By H. Vigeant
Format:Paperback
I bought this book initially because I work in Lawrence,MA where the author grew up and was interested in reading about how things have changed in the city. I had NO IDEA I would be in for such an amazing story about the author's life. My heart was breaking to read about his trials and obstacles in life. He certainly encountered more than most.When I finished reading the book, I was still thinking about how someone with so much adversity in life could come so far..
It was inspirational in a sense and I could see why his story needed to be told. I only wish there was a little more in the end of the book about how he came to be so successful today and was able to overcome his past.
Outstanding book. I read it in one day and would recommend highly.
It was inspirational in a sense and I could see why his story needed to be told. I only wish there was a little more in the end of the book about how he came to be so successful today and was able to overcome his past.
Outstanding book. I read it in one day and would recommend highly.
43 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By J. Desjardin
Format:Paperback
It's hard to believe that this is Ken's debut novel. He draws you in from the first page. His life unfolds in the Greater Boston area during the '70's and '80's. Ken grows up amongst chaos with 2 other brothers and a single mother in a rough suburb. He finds himself in and out of foster homes, being torn from his family, and mixing with the wrong crowds. At a very young age, the author experiences much loss and regret. He fantasizes about his future along the way and always wonders if he will ever be with the girl at the bakery. During a young life of constant upheaval, he manages to forgive those people most important to him and pushes himself to go on. This book is a source of inspiration. The author is truly a success story. As a mature young boy, he realized that he was accountable for his own actions and only he could make his life worth living. What is most amazing, is that I grew up only miles away leading a charmed, entitled life. You will laugh and cry as you read, I strongly recommend this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
What Girl?
I won't say any more about the girl but it was a good read with good characterisations and flowed well. And we all enjoy a happy ending.
Published 2 days ago by Maicol
1.0 out of 5 stars
If there was a zero star rating, this book would earn it
Very poorly written, tedious, inaccurate in many historical references. I can usually finish any book, but this was such a slog through "we did this, went there, and this... Read more
Published 2 days ago by JoAnne S Taylor
2.0 out of 5 stars
Needs a major editing job
The author went into extreme detail on things that did not add to the story. This could be a much better book if it was edited to half its length.
Published 3 days ago by cpamomma
4.0 out of 5 stars
Italian bakery was the draw to by it
I enjoyed his story and the thread of this girl in the back ground. It was kind of sad, but I that added to its charm.
Published 3 days ago by Norine Calvano
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow
I highly recommend this book. I don't usually read this type of story but, for some reason I gave it a try. Once I started, I couldn't stop!
Published 4 days ago by mavritt
3.0 out of 5 stars
Biography or fiction?
Lack of focus in the plot, rambling.
Mistitled, girl didn't come into the story til 3/4 of the way done.
Mistitled, girl didn't come into the story til 3/4 of the way done.
Published 4 days ago by J. Shute
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
I like real life stories,and this was a touching one, seeing all the trials an tribulations he went through,and finally finding faith. Good read!
Published 5 days ago by Donita Rohr
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty much just OK
This is a LONG read...seeming to go on forever. Parts of the book read a bit like Catcher in The Rye. Stupid boy makes stupid choices and then faces the consequences. Read more
Published 5 days ago by D. lybyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational reading
This memoir was unlike none I've ever read. I guess there was a sense of familiarity. It's amazing to see how he was able to triumph despite life's setbacks. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Tomira Dowell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed
Well I kept reading something about the story just kept pulling me in. Good finale thought provoking. Overall good read
Published 7 days ago by Mike
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More About the Author
Kenneth Tingle is the author of The Girl in the Italian Bakery and Strangeville. He is a former United States Marine. For the past seventeen years he has worked as a registered nurse in many different fields. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with wife Kathy, son Ken, Jr. and daughter Nicole. His books have been read all over the world.
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