Empty Stockings: A Brooklyn Christmas Tale

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. About the Author Denis Hamill is the author of