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Publisher:
NovelBooks,Inc. |
Release
Date: |
ISBN:
1591050855 |
Awards:
Eppie Finalist |
Format
Reviewed: Trade Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Fiction Novel |
Reviewed:
2004 |
Reviewer:
Susan Johnson |
Reviewer
Notes: |
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Rising
from the Ashes
By Michael
LaRocca
Michael
LaRocca is the published author of four books, one an Eppie finalist.
A North Carolinian raised in Florida, he now lives and teaches in
Hingham, China. His book, "Rising from the Ashes" is the
story of his youth.
Michael's
youth was a troubled time filled with poverty, loneliness and abuse
from the ever-changing succession of his mother's boyfriends and
husbands. His mother loved both him and his younger brother and
tried very hard to provide for them. Unfortunately, her choices
in men were often bad. They lived in poverty and moved frequently
to avoid eviction notices.
Everyone
thought Michael was the strange one, that he would be dysfunctional,
but as he tells on the back of this wonderful book he outlived both
his mother and his brother and goes on to tell this inspirational
story.
I was
totally prepared to dislike this book. At the least, I expected
it to be depressing . Three pages in, I discovered I was wrong.
I found myself rooting for Michael and his family and feeling all
their joy and sadness. Not many authors can take me on that journey.
A truly inspirational read for all.
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