From Publishers Weekly
This sweet, uplifting yarn portrays the hardships of anIrish-American family in Brooklyn, but its themes and appeal areuniversal. Set in 1963, the novel opens on the day of JFK'sassassination. "This must be what [it's] like to have a death in thefamily," thinks Rory Maguire, who helped pin up posters for Kennedywhen he was only 11. Now 14 and full of adolescent yearnings, Rorymust help his family weather this crisis, which is only the latest ina string of sorrows that have plagued the Maguires since Harry, Rory'sfather, fell while working on an overpass, breaking his back and bothhis ankles. As the family fights a losing battle against Harry'sformer boss, who's trying to cheat him out of his disability, Rorydelivers orders for the local butcher, courts sophisticated CarolSturgis, keeps his four younger siblings in line and tries to get theattention of Brooklyn's Democratic boss, Charlie Pergola, the only manwho can help Harry, a former merchant marine and war hero, get hisdue. Hamill's (Sins of Two Fathers) atmospheric narrative espouses thegood old-fashioned values of hard work and family loyalty. As Rorysays: "We might be broke, but we got each other and that makes usfilthy rich with life." At times heartbreakingly sad but always buoyedby Rory's youthful optimism and energy, this winsome coming-of-agetale will warm hearts this holiday season.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Book Description
Christmas 1963. A nation mourns the loss of its president. A young boy mourns the life his Irish-Catholic, working-class father never had. Rory Maguire is a fourteen-year-old boy looking for a better life for himself and his family in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Harry, had a terrible accident that cost him his job, his ability to walk, and his dignity. His brother, Dermot, is hanging out with a local gang called the Shamrocks, and his two little sisters are growing hungry in the Maguires' frigid tenement apartment. Rory's dreams of becoming a writer seem hopelessly out of reach, as does winning the heart of Carol, the daughter of a prominent Brooklyn lawyer. What Rory needs most this Christmas is a miracle -- and even though he can't bring his hero John F. Kennedy back to life, he might be able to give his father, an ex-merchant marine, the recognition he deserves...and offer his family the gift of hope, health, and happiness for years to come. In Empty Stockings, Denis Hamill captures the romance, strife, and spirit of the urban Irish-American experience. A heartwarming tale for all seasons, it is a gift to treasure and behold.
About the Author
Denis Hamill is the author of Sins of Two Fathers, now in hardcover from Atria Books, as well as Long Time Gone, Fork in the Road, House on Fire, Three Quarters, and Throwing 7's (all available from Pocket Books). He has been a columnist for New York magazine, the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, and the Boston Herald American. A resident of New York City, Denis currently writes a column for the New York Daily News.
Empty Stockings: A Brooklyn Christmas Tale FROM THE PUBLISHER
Rory Maguire is a fourteen-year-old boy looking for a better life for himself and his family in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Harry, had a terrible accident that cost him his job, his ability to walk, and his dignity. His brother, Dermot, is hanging out with a local gang called the Shamrocks, and his two little sisters are growing hungry in the Maguires' frigid tenement apartment. Rory's dreams of becoming a writer seem hopelessly out of reach, as does winning the heart of Carol, the daughter of a prominent Brooklyn lawyer. What Rory needs most this Christmas is a miracle -- and even though he can't bring his hero John F. Kennedy back to life, he might be able to give his father, an ex-merchant marine, the recognition he deserves...and offer his family the gift of hope, health, and happiness for years to come.
In Empty Stockings, Denis Hamill captures the romance, strife, and spirit of the urban Irish-American experience. A heartwarming tale for all seasons, it is a gift to treasure and behold.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
This sweet, uplifting yarn portrays the hardships of an Irish-American family in Brooklyn, but its themes and appeal are universal. Set in 1963, the novel opens on the day of JFK's assassination. "This must be what [it's] like to have a death in the family," thinks Rory Maguire, who helped pin up posters for Kennedy when he was only 11. Now 14 and full of adolescent yearnings, Rory must help his family weather this crisis, which is only the latest in a string of sorrows that have plagued the Maguires since Harry, Rory's father, fell while working on an overpass, breaking his back and both his ankles. As the family fights a losing battle against Harry's former boss, who's trying to cheat him out of his disability, Rory delivers orders for the local butcher, courts sophisticated Carol Sturgis, keeps his four younger siblings in line and tries to get the attention of Brooklyn's Democratic boss, Charlie Pergola, the only man who can help Harry, a former merchant marine and war hero, get his due. Hamill's (Sins of Two Fathers) atmospheric narrative espouses the good old-fashioned values of hard work and family loyalty. As Rory says: "We might be broke, but we got each other and that makes us filthy rich with life." At times heartbreakingly sad but always buoyed by Rory's youthful optimism and energy, this winsome coming-of-age tale will warm hearts this holiday season. Agent, Esther Newberg. (Nov.) Forecast: Appropriately outfitted with a cover depicting the Brooklyn bridge bedecked with colorful Christmas lights and a wreath, this book will beckon residents of that borough as well as holiday browsers. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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