My Literary Travels

Pezzelli, Peter
Fiction

When you reach rock bottom, the safest place to go and the source of the greatest comfort is often home. In his most recent heart-warming work, Pezzelli reminds us once again of the healing, restorative power of family against even the fiercest ravages of the world. Bruised and battered by failure, Jason Mirabella, like the prodigal son, crawls home in search of peace from his past and answers for the future. Though they view his return with a touch of skepticism and reluctantly welcome him back into the family home and business that he shunned for so long, his father, brother and sister stand by him and support him during his period of self-evaluation and healing. The process is an arduous one, requiring him to yield his pride and independence, but a rewarding one as well, bringing hope for the days ahead not only for Jason but for his family as well.

Written with the compassionate, gently humorous touch that characterizes his best writing, Pezzelli’s book touched my heart. It’s certainly not the best of his novels about Italian American families and the wisdom they hold dear, but it certainly is the one that resonated with me most. I highly recommend it!