Customer Reviews

And the Whippoorwill Sang

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've never been much into memoires, but I have to say, this story of one family's life had me engrossed from the moment I picked it up and started reading.

This is a story about one family's life, and I can relate to almost every incident in this tale. I almost split my sides when I read about some of the heroine's adventures. Have I ever run out of gas on the interstate? Or tried chugging up a mountain with a vehicle that wouldn't chug? Uh, yeah. Have I ever said, or heard anyone say "shut up I have to see where I'm going?" Uh, yeah.

The author shares her experiences with us and allows us into her family as though we were a family member. I feel as though I know this group and that they'd have gotten along so well with my own family.

One technique the author uses is the flashback into the past as she sits
waiting for the doctor to pronounce life or death for one of her precious children. A heart wrenching account. She uses present tense for the emergency scenes and past tense for the flash backs and, although I don't normally like present tense use, this worked. In fact, I couldn't imagine it done any other way.

I give this book five stars for an enjoyable and sobering look into the author's life.

Patricia A. Guthrie

This book brings the reader through a vast array of emotions. From laughter to tears, it is easy to relate to the feelings of this family during an unexpected tragedy. The writing style is fantastic, allowing the reader to truly feel a part of this big loving family.

This book was almost impossible to put down. It was sweet, funny and sad. It's a story of a mother's worst horror--the loss of a child, told with love. What a wonderful testament to a lost daughter and a delightful family. Let's see some more writing by Micki Peluso.

In sharing her life, Micki Peluso has also shared her strength. From Pennsylvania to Long Island to Las Vegas and then once again to Pennsylvania, we follow the story of this woman and her family making their way in blue-collar America. That they succeed despite the absence of education and family connections is a tribute to their grit, perseverance, and - when it was most necessary - their faith.

This is not, however, a simple family saga. Interwoven with this story of life's normal challenges is the story of one child's death, a child of grace and warmth, the one for whom the Whippoorwill sang. Struck down by a drunk driver, this youngster's untimely and tragic death helps us to truly appreciate this family's resilience and bonds of love. Woven through the story are scenes of those last days. Peluso brings us into the hospital waiting room, to the bedside, and to the church. More importantly, she draws us into the horrible internal struggle in which she, her husband, and the rest of the family must decide when to let Noelle pass.

This is a book about a family that is very human and real, strong and resilient, at times angry and rigid and at others wonderfully silly and flexible. These are people the reader wants to know.

What a wonderful read!! I couldn't put it down. I felt like the boy in the movie "The Page Master", who upon finding a book he couldn't wait to read, found a place to hide to just read the book, relishing every page and enjoying each chapter as much as the one before it. I actually bumped into someone who was talking about this book as well and she said the same thing, she just couldn't put it down. The ones lucky enough to have found this hidden treasure will be moved beyond words by this beautiful story of a life lived.

I don't normally post reviews of books I read but after reading this book I felt not posting one would not only be unfair to the author but to any readers that don't know about this book.

As others have said this book is funny and sad. By the end of the book you realize it's so much more than that. It is a beautiful story about a family and the trials of life that they go through, weaved together through the eyes of the mother. It is, or was for me, A love story in the biggest sense of the meaning of love. I can't put in words how this book tugged on my heart strings and how rare that truly is.

There are only a few books or movies that I have ever had hit me as this book did. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks and on Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson and Forrest Gump by Winston Groom are all books that emotionally connect with entire generations of people. This book fits in that group and is just as, if not more so, beautifully written. I hope this book is made into a Movie someday as it deserves to be read and seen by the world.

Thanks Don

I just finished this book today and had to come right over to Amazon to leave my comment. I'm not even sure how to describe what I'm feeling-- other than to be amazed at the depth of courage and grit that it had to take Mrs. Peluso to write this book. The detail of her family history, indeed of ~American history~ through her own experiences, was just stunning.

She has a rare gift of being able to exactly describe everything in such warm nuances-- that you will swear that Micki is one of your best friends who has the ability to say just the right thing with an undercurrent of strategic "straight man" humor.

I felt a part of her family reading this book. I cried with them all at the loss of their precious child (I don't think I'm totally done yet either). And indeed, I laughed out loud through the colorful stories of her big, beautiful chaotic family. This book should be a movie... a 3 tissue box, boo- hoo without restraint, laugh like you're wearing Depends, belly-gut wrencher that will remind all of us to grab our children and hug them until they can't breathe.

It should also remind ~everyone~ that it isn't worth it to drink even ONE drink and then get behind a wheel. Not even one. It's not worth it. Have a designated driver, or stay your tipsy butt home!

In 1959, Micki and Butch Peluso eloped while still seniors in high school. Micki's mom was leaving their small PA town, to move to FL with her boyfriend, and would have dragged Micki with her, but Micki didn't want to go. She loved Butch and wanted to stay with him and finish the high school they attended. Micki moved into her boss's married daughter's apartment and at graduation let everyone know of their marriage...and the fact that Micki was expecting a baby. As the years passed, Micki gave birth to six children while Butch worked tirelessly at a restaurant in NY. Many times Micki felt abandoned by Butch, but she adored her children and in this memoir, she relates the joys, frustrations, and obstacles that raising a family of six children entails. As the children grow, each with their own individuality, different trials and tribulations are encountered, but Micki and Butch handle them all with aplomb. As the family grows and they travel across country searching for a better life, they find themselves coming back to their roots, sharing many antics and situations.

When fourteen-year-old, Noelle is severely stuck by a drunk driver while walking to the park, the Peluso's find their lives changing in unspeakable ways. Refusing to give up hope for their daughter's survival, Micki and Butch are constantly at her bedside in the ICU, though the doctors assure them there is no chance of survival for their precious daughter. Finally after several days, they agree to release her from life support and let God them show His decision. Noelle passes soon after and the whole family has to face dealing with the death of their beloved daughter and sister.

Ms. Peluso has written a heart-warming tale of her family, interspersed with laughter, excitement and joy, as well as sadness. Though she does not feel hatred for the driver who took her daughter's life, the author begs the judicial system to take a firmer stance on drunk drivers, especially repeat offenders. This memoir will touch your heart, make you laugh and cry, and more importantly, feel a part of this large and loving family. A definite read.

If as a parent you've ever wondered how you could go on after losing a child, this memoir by Micki Peluso shows you how it can be done. With honesty and bravery, the author tells the story of her own life -- through good times and bad, warts and all -- as she slowly reveals the heartbreaking story of her daughter Noelle's death. The reader learns that the book is part of a promise to Noelle to tell HER story, too, and Peluso succeeds brilliantly. The story -- and this family -- will stay with me for a long, long time.

Micki Peluso's book, And the Whippoorwill Sang, is both funny and tragic. Ms Peluso brings forth candid honesty about being the mother of six children, a wife, and a woman. Married in a bizarre double wedding with her mother, she embarks on life, not realizing the joys and heartaches it can bring.

Through her entire story, she never loses faith. Her honesty is blunt at times, but it's also laced with a bit of humor. When tragedy strikes, she carries you through it with her. Her daughter, Noelle, has been struck down by a drunk driver.

While Noelle hovers between this life and the next, Ms Peluso takes you with her, as she travels back in time in order to deal with the present. You will experience, along with Ms. Peluso, how... To Weep... To Laugh... To Grieve... To Dance... A MUST READ

Erin Collins, author, former newspaper reporter, amateur artist, singer, lyricist.
Author of Shadow Walk: The Gathering