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Summary: There's a place in the World called South Boston
Review: There's a place in the world called South Boston. "Southie" as it is called, was and still is a place that impoverished "whites" in Massachusetts live. It is a place that the Irish mob had its heavy fingers on in nineteen seventies and to some extent today. All Souls is the story of those times. This memoir, often compared to Angela's Ashes tells of class struggle, busing, murder, drugs, alcohol, political mob control, broken families and strong community ties. I may make it sound like a gaggle of negatives and just one positive, but that one positive is the strongest link. It is the glue that bonds the South Boston together. Michael MacDonald's hard hitting true story is an enjoyable marvel of a piece of society. MacDonald takes the reader to places, so unbelievable to most, that one gets the feeling of well written fiction in this tremendous true tale. This is a MUST read.
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Summary: Johnie G..we love you
Review: Mr. MacDonald
I spent most of my life in Dst, and grew up amongst ALOT of the people you wrote about, I am sad that you "perceived" your life this way. The times brought out some of the worst in people...but for me, I had the greatest moments ever with A LOT of the very same people you wrote about.I refuse to condon some of the things I know to be true...but you HURT alot of people you wrote about,
My seventeen year old daughter got a hold of your book from a friend in school and she had to find out HOW someone she loved very very much died, that was very sad for all of us. John Grant may have died young, but he did not deserve what you wrote.
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Summary: A Grateful Reader
Review: I am a 31 year old single mother of two beautiful children and after reading "All Souls" I cannot tell you how grateful I was for what I have. I am working so hard to have my kids live in a middle class neighborhood in a safe town just outside of Boston. I can tell you that after reading the trauma and pain that this mother had to face has put things in perspective for me and what is really important...my kids! Thank you for writing such a powerful book. As a mother I can't even begin to imagine how I would handle the lose of my children the way Michaels mother has.I am saving this book for years to come so my son and daughter can read the powerful lessons that the kids in Southie had to live with.
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Summary: "Angela's Ashes" Without The Humor or the Bite
Review: It is hard to read this book without wanting to compare it to Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes. MacDonald tells a riveting and heartbreaking tale without all the Irish verbal calisthenics (and occassional blarney) that McCourt infuses into his prose (and rightfully so being Macdonald is Irish-American and not an "old-countryman"); his approach and style is more journalistic and the result is a read that delivers the facts but does not break the reader's heart quite as severely, or tickle the funnybone quite as loudly as McCourt. It could be that this story is a much more recent one too painful for the author to mine much pathos from. All this aside, MacDonald was extremely courageous in taking on this project in the first place - he deserves a Purple Heart for the spiritual and mental wounds he and his family sustained in Southie. We should look forward to more from him.
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Summary: Born and raised in Southie...I feel the pain, too
Review: Being born and raised in south boston myself, through reading each page, hearing each detail of south boston and the projects, took me right there. I was there, again. I remembered the terms, the names of people mentioned who lived and died. It brought mixed feelings by reading this story. I was sad thinking of how everyone had that southie loyalty, because, at the time, we were all so proud to be from southie, but yet, we really didn't know why. Looking back..the only reason why people were so loyal was because they were afraid to be anything else but loyal...But...all in all...like mike macdonald, as sad as the memories of growing up in southie made me, I, too am very proud of where I was born and raised, and I will never forget where I came from though the tears and fears were many..."Southie is my home town"............
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Summary: Eye-opening Book
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. This book exposed me to a world and life that I know nothing about. I grew up, and still live, about 5 minutes from South Boston, but I had no idea this was how life was lived there. It is so well written and honest that you felt as if you were part of his life. You couldn't help but feel sorrow and hope for Michael and his family as you were reading the book. I hope some of those spoiled brats out there who say there life stinks when something does not go there way read this book. They will see that there are people who truly suffer, but say nothing about it and think their lives are great. They, along with everyone else who decides to read this book, can learn so much by reading this book. It is truly eye-opening to the experiences and hardships some people go through when growing up.
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Summary: WONDERFUL STORY!
Review: THIS BOOK WAS GREAT. IT'S AMAZING HOW MICHAEL PATRICK'S LIFE IN SOUTHIE WAS LIKE. WHEN YOU READ THIS BOOK YOU LEARN ABOUT HOW BAD A SECTION OF BOSTON WAS LIKE IF YOU LIVED IN THE PROJECTS. I GIVE GREAT PRAISE TO MICHAEL PATRICK WHO WAS ABLE TO STAND THE DEATH OF HIS BROTHERS AND HAVE THE GUTS NOT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN DRUGS, CRIME, OR BECOME A HIGHSCHOOL DROPOUT. I CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE ABOUT HIS LIFE AND FAMILY.
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Summary: Brutally honest and touching
Review: Brutally honest and touching, this biography of a large Irish family headed by a spitfire matriarch "Ma", living in the projects of Southie. Brave insight into the world of the "non-minority" poor that mirrors much of what we hear of any other project neighborhood of color but for the incredible sense of denial that the community clung to. "Ma" very much reminded me of my own Grandmother. Even my own fears of the neighborhood that you didn't wander into (pale complexion or no) were turned darker and more sinister. Through the bussing riots of the 70's to present day memorials for the 200+ young people dead from drugs, crime, suicide or accidents we are taken on an incredible and harrowing journey through the authors life. 200 dead in 2 years, in one neighborhood. Whoa! A must read for anyone who's ever been curious about Southie.
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Summary: Heart wrenching & Eloquently Told
Review: I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book. I felt so sad that I grew up so close and yet Southie is a world so far away. As I was reading, news reports about one of the Bulgers being arrested for lying to a Grand Jury came on the news. I have been absolutely revolted by Whitey Bulger for a long time. I was sickened by ALL the people who died at his hand. Whether directly or indirectly, I can find no words to describe the loathing I feel towards him. How can such an insignificant, cowardly creature affect so many people in such horrible ways? But then we ask the same of Hitler and of Osama Bin Laden. When I think about the pain and the loss this family endured, my eyes fill with tears and I wish I could I could do something, anything. What I know I can do is teach my children tolerance of all different kinds of people. I have always considered myself an open minded person, but in reading this book, I realized how judgemental of people I have always been. I grew up in Somerville & Cambridge after my parents divorced and we had to move from our more suburban type town. I often felt shame, I know now there was need to feel that way. Thankyou for your beautiful story.
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Summary: READ THIS BOOK!
Review: I had the great privilege of meeting the author at a talk arranged by my university. Hearing him read passages from his book, reading about his own tragedies and triumphs growing up made it so real and touched me in a way I can't express. I bought the book right away and while I was reading it, I couldn't help seeing his face and hearing his voice in every page. I have since passed the book on to all of my family members and recommended it to all of my friends. It is a must read if you are from Boston or are just curious about the untold stories of Southie.
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