Boys from Eighth and Carpenter - by Tom Mendicino (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

S. Gagliano & Son has been a barber shop fixture in South Philly for decades. Frankie and Michael Gagliano's Italian immigrant father--Luigi to his customers, Papa to his sons--presides over the store, enlisting his children as soon as they're big enough to wield a broom. On their mother's deathbed, eight-year-old Frankie swears that he and his little brother will always take care of each other, a vow he endeavors to keep through their father's violent outbursts and the string of wives who try to take their mother's place.

After their father's death, Frankie takes over the shop, transforming it to fit in with the gentrifying neighborhood. Michael becomes a successful prosecutor with a rising political career, still close to his big brother despite the differences between them. Then comes an unthinkable, impulsive act that will force Michael to choose between risking his comfortable life and keeping a sacred oath--made before he knew how powerful a promise can be.

Review Quotes

"Tom Mendicino is a supremely gifted writer with an eye for the most telling of details." --Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author

Praise for Tom Mendicino's Probation

"Thoughtful, textured and poignant...an exciting impressive debut."--Time Out NY

"A smart, engaging, witty, sad and unusual book about the complicated nature of family and love."--Bart Yates

"A potent debut."--Publishers Weekly

"Achingly honest."--Vestal McIntyre, author of Lake Overturn

About the Author

Tom Mendicino's debut novel Probation was an American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book and Lambda Literary Award Finalist. A native of Pittsburgh, he resides in Philadelphia, the city that inspired The Boys from Eighth and Carpenter, with his spouse Nick Ifft. Readers can follow him on Facebook and visit his website at www.tommendicinobooks.com.