Review of Brooklyn ‘76

[Olivier Muhammad]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Brooklyn ‘76" by Anthony Ausiello.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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"Brooklyn ’76: A Novel" by Anthony Ausiello tells the story of the Agnello family, Italian immigrants living in the United States, on July 4, 1976. The family's patriarch, Paulie, faces financial struggles and a potential strike at work, while his wife, Dee, is overprotective of their sons, Tony and Alex, due to her own traumatic childhood experiences. Tony, 14, explores sexual pleasure and deceives his mother to visit his girlfriend Maria, leading to a series of events that culminate in a dramatic and life-changing moment for the family. The novel explores themes of parenting, peer pressure, sexuality, and the struggles of immigrant families, raising questions about the consequences of overprotection and the importance of open communication.
 
The writing style employed allows for easy comprehension and immersion in the story; this is a standout feature of the book. The book uses each character to teach readers about different societal issues, and it's a testament to my impactful reading experience. Through this book, the author exposes us to the ills and negative effects of bad parenting and wrong peer selection, which can influence a child's path negatively. 
 
These revelations serve as a warning and takeaway for readers in order to think twice before taking such paths in their waking lives. In the novel, characters like Richie, who is always drinking and having sex, even with married and older women, are portrayed negatively. Chippy, who sells fireworks and explosives to people despite being arrested several times by the police, teaches us not to follow such a path. Marie and her sisters, who are allowed to do as they like, become sex-starved and a bad influence on the community, providing a good moral lesson for readers. I also learned that parents would learn valuable lessons about handling teenagers and sex education from Dee, who is characterized by overprotectiveness toward her children.
 
I don't have anything to dislike in this book, and it's been edited exceptionally well. I didn't find a grammar error in it. Hence, I'll rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
 
The book is most suitable for an adult audience, particularly those interested in family dramas and coming-of-age stories. The content may not be suitable for younger readers due to mature themes, language, and some graphic descriptions.

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Brooklyn ‘76
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[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

Good job in writing a balanced review. I will be on the lookout for the book because of your review. I think I will love it.

[Leslie coccia]

This book seems great, awesome review! Will be interested to read how the author writes life in the ‘70s.