From Publishers Weekly
Marquesian in flavor and set in the countryside a long bus ride north of the Bronx, the antics of the three Cruz brothers and their ghostly father Raymondo are distinctly American-urban in spirit. After Raymondo is killed robbing a bank with a water gun, the boys are taken from their mother, who literally fills her apartment with TV sets and guard dogs, to be raised at the Sacred Home for Fallen Angels. Raymondo appears only to the oldest son, Victor, urging him to watch out for Felipe, a thug in the making, and little Jose, who is bright, charming and lazy. After leaving Sacred Home, the brothers settle nearby, taking up with a three-legged dog and a sweet, grossly fat, high-school girl. Occasionally Raymondo intervenes in his son's lives, once biting Felipe's arm so it withers, to prevent the boy from being of use to the local crime mob, another time aiding Victor's kicking record for the local football team. Veteran short story writer Roth tells the brothers' improbable adventures with a gritty, lively realism. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
When Raymundo Cruz realizes that he can never provide even minimally for his family, he decides to rob a bank with a squirt gun. The attempt fails and the little man suffers an impersonal death surrounded by a jeering mob. His three sons are left in the care of their slatternly mother--but not for long, for the children's court puts them in the custody of the Sacred Home for Fallen Angels upstate. Here the ghost of Raymundo hovers over them, directly communicating with eldest Victor and offering advice for their survival. Before he is 12, Victor steals and wrecks two cars, makes threats to his teachers and indulges in arson, but his father's advice always sees him through. The boys' later attempts at crime are as hilarious as the parade of characters that crosses their paths. This first novel by an experienced short story writer is fast moving and never boring.- Jack Shreve, Allegany Community Coll., Cumberland, Md.Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A charming and comic first novel about three Puerto Rican brothers, who, guided by their father's ghost, avoid the pitfalls (but not the pratfalls) life has waiting.. Pleasant, light, warm, generous, and funny. --Kirkus Reviews

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Raymondo Cruz, killed robbing a bank with a water pistol, leaves behind three sons; he watches over them in spirit form, appearing only to his eldest, Victor. ``Marquezian in flavor and . . . distinctly American-urban in spirit,'' said PW. ``Veteran short story writer Roth tells the brothers' improbable adventures with a gritty, lively realism.'' (Aug.)

Library Journal