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20 reviews for:
All Souls: Family Story from Southie
Michael Patrick MacDonald, Michael Patrick MacDonald
4.11 AVERAGE
20 reviews for:
All Souls: Family Story from Southie
Michael Patrick MacDonald, Michael Patrick MacDonald
4.11 AVERAGE
Well written memoir detailing life in South Boston during some very tough times. I grew up in a middle class family well outside Boston only a couple years younger than the author, so much of the story was fleetingly familiar. The explanations of the differences between poor blacks, poor whites, poorer whites, living in different government projects gave understanding to some of the issues they faced. Talked about the busing riots and failure and Whitey Bulger's role in bringing in hard drugs to the projects while pretending to "protect" the Irish residents. I found the tone to be very even-handed, blaming both liberals for their "pet projects" (interesting that later in the book when the author tries to get help for his little brother who is wrongly jailed, many "charitable" organizations won't help when they find out he is white) and conservatives (many voted for Ronald Reagan, believing in his promise of "trickle down economics" which did not trickle down to them). Very sad the sheer numbers of young deaths.
Hard to read. A story of tragedy and grief that really hit home. The power of shame on those left behind after a loss of family to drugs or suicide. Michael MacDonald’s memoir ends up inspiring after the unbelievable heartbreaking story of his childhood.
Poor people of the white variety. A painful, often pathetic history of the residents of Southie and the sordid lives, uneducated outlooks and pitiful conservatism that leaves them forever entrenched in a massive circle of unending misery and poverty. At the same time this culture of false heroes and unproductive lives wrapped up in a superior sense of community is not only endured but embraced. Partly interesting but somehow I wanted to know these people more. Worth the read.
http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=all+souls#
Dragged a little in the middle, but otherwise a really interesting (and intense!) read!
Read for book club at work. Not exactly my cup of tea, but led to some good discussions nonetheless.
The life story of a kid from Southie. He grew up when Whitey Bulger was at his height and he brothers and sisters fell into the drugs and violence that came with the time. It was heartbreaking how much crime and death can come to one area. Four brothers died before they reached 24. Another was sent to Juvie for a murder he didn't commit, all thanks to the corrupt cops and FBI that were working with Whitey. Powerful read.
Great read, but scary how much I could relate to some characters. Not so much my own life, but definitely family members'.
I enjoyed this memoir of growing up in Southie in the 70s and 80s and consider it to be a great companion piece to Dennis Lehane's Small Mercies. There was an incredible sense of Irish pride in this neighborhood despite the poverty, crime and violence that ran rampant due in large part to Whitey Bulger's gang. MacDonald's story is moving and gritty, brutally honest and utterly riveting. Recommended for those interested in this period of time in Boston.