PAPA A Journey Back: Stories of Family, Friends & Life by an Italian American - Paperback

by Jerry Il'giovine (Author)

Humorous, emotional, and true, a grandfather leaves his legacy through thirty-three creative short stories. Set in Cleveland, this heartfelt time capsule spans one of the most transformative eras in history, the latter half of the 20th century. Papa's journey has an Italian-American flavor and is filled with colorful characters, remarkable events, and poignant reflections that evoke both nostalgia and wisdom.

Perfect for anyone who treasures the art of storytelling, family traditions, and the enduring bond between generations.

Excerpts:

... Italians have this extraordinary reaction to drama and tragedy. They get angry before they can show compassion. I'm sure it has everything to do with the initial adrenaline rush, but I learned to wait it out since it never lasted long. I knew doting would soon follow. It always did, and it's no wonder that I now exhibit this same trait as an adult.

... We had a saying in my old Italian neighborhood. "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, I'll kick your ass."

... This was no church club of boys I was joining. It was a gang of boys who just happened to be in a church club. And I wanted in!

... I stopped behind my cousin with my heart pounding in my chest, and rightfully so. Getting my ass kicked was not on this evening's agenda. I remained silent as the situation deteriorated in front of me.

... Ordinarily, I cringe whenever I hear my non-Italian friends are serving me their homemade pasta - only because my family has been cooking sauce every Sunday since the invention of the tomato.

... He stood there motionless for a moment as if he were making an important decision. "Here, take this," he said, and then shoved something into my hand. I looked down at what I was holding. It was a blue steel handgun.