Published: Feb. 06, 2011
Words: 11,700 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781458043849

Short description

Three stories about two neighbors who meet as young children and grow up together on Long Island during the late 60′s and early 70′s. The comforting and loving world they live in changes around them as their families fracture, society descends into chaos, and a war rages on.

Extended description

Three stories about two neighbors who meet as young children and grow up together on Long Island during the late 60′s and early 70′s. The comforting and loving world they live in changes around them as their families fracture, society descends into chaos, and a war rages on. In the aftermath, they left on a wrecked, smoking landscape, searching for a new way to live when all of the signs have been burned down.

Reviews:
This collection has two lovely tales of growing up in Port Jefferson, New York, plus a remarkable story of complicated love -- sexual and familial -- amid scenes of poverty and emotional desolation. Bubbers has a fine, almost photographic sense of place and time, and a great talent at capturing the texture of life. The final story which gives its name to this collection, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," ranks with some of the best short fiction written today." ***** Eugene Mirabelli

"These three separate stories about neighbours Johnny and Miriam growing up.. (Read more) Three stories about two neighbors who meet as young children and grow up together on Long Island during the late 60′s and early 70′s. The comforting and loving world they live in changes around them as their families fracture, society descends into chaos, and a war rages on. In the aftermath, they left on a wrecked, smoking landscape, searching for a new way to live when all of the signs have been burned down.

Reviews:
This collection has two lovely tales of growing up in Port Jefferson, New York, plus a remarkable story of complicated love -- sexual and familial -- amid scenes of poverty and emotional desolation. Bubbers has a fine, almost photographic sense of place and time, and a great talent at capturing the texture of life. The final story which gives its name to this collection, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," ranks with some of the best short fiction written today." ***** Eugene Mirabelli

"These three separate stories about neighbours Johnny and Miriam growing up in the 1960s and 70s make for a moving and elegant novella. I very much enjoyed the directness and strength of the prose which has its own bleak beauty, and the push and pull of relationships and family was very well portrayed indeed. The ending is perfect too. Highly recommended." ***** Anne Brooke
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Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages. For more information, see the Support FAQ.

Tags

coming of age, novela, short stories, 1960s, drug addiction, 1970s, teen angst, family and relationships

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Reviews

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Review by: Marianne Curtis on Dec. 26, 2012 :
I really enjoy this writer’s style of stories; not only does he paint a vivid picture he also comes from a generation where things were changing very quickly throughout the world and his stories reflect that. I am not sure if the author gets his stories from his own life experiences, or if they are part of a bigger picture; but I personally think he should expand on this piece and turn it into a full sized memoir, autobiography or fiction book. Thank you ~ I have immensely enjoyed each piece I have read by this writer.

Marianne Curtis
Author
Finding Gloria, Moondust and Madness: A collection of Poetry, Behind Whispering Pines and Brian's Last Ride
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: spindlegirl on June 24, 2011 :
This is a very good and heartwarming story. Don't let the fact this is a quick read fool you.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Ward Ricke on March 10, 2011 :
These three stories quickly transported me back to the careless days of the 60's and 70's and reminded me of the simple, unattached pleasures I enjoyed then. The stories are crafted deftly, and described with painterly detail to scene and situation. I am left wondering what is in store for Miriam, Ben and John and how they survived Disco and Reagenomics. Hopefully there will be more exploits about this trio to follow. This author has found a voice that speaks to a time best left forgotten for some of us. Keep up the great work
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Eugene Mirabelli on March 07, 2011 :
This collection has two lovely tales of growing up in Port Jefferson, New York, plus a remarkable story of complicated love -- sexual and familial -- amid scenes of poverty and emotional desolation. Bubbers has a fine, almost photographic sense of place and time, and a great talent at capturing the texture of life. The final story which gives its name to this collection, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," ranks with some of the best short fiction written today.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Bob Baldwin on March 06, 2011 :
These stories are very evocative of the period in which they are set. The spirit of the times, late 60's to early 70's is captured and recognizable to anyone who remembers it. At the same time, however, it is timeless in its themes about the passage from child to adult. The family relationships depicted in these stories change over time, as they always do. In the end this is story about growing up that can find resonance in any generation. Highly recommended.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Erickson Sue on Feb. 24, 2011 :
Very nice. Great story just wish it was longer.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

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