Lovely Chaos - Comedy, Crack And Consciousness - My Life In 1980's New York (Book) - 3/3/2018 6:52:23 AM
Hysterical, Gritty, Raw, and Evocative
Talk about a book that really nails life in NYC, the zeitgeist of it, in the 80’s. Lovely Chaos is a story about Joey Montaperto, in his 20’s, pimpled, lost, insecure, and bumbling through life. The author writes about his search to find his true niche as he is bounced around by fate and the happenstance of life altering encounters with strangers, a famous acting studio, alcohol-fueled mojo, being in the wrong, and sometimes right, places, and more. Author Montaperto captures, often hilariously, life on the streets of NYC in Hell’s Kitchen, Time’s Square, Astoria, the lower Eastside, and 14th Street! Montaperto almost perfectly catches the sounds, dialects, and the look and feel of the multitude of entertaining characters that drift in and out of the city seeking artistic fortune, love, trouble, or whatever else attracts people to the lure of the Big A.! This book is a witty, entertaining read that will give several “Aha” moments as you learn about Joey’s escapades that stagger amidst acting, buskering, comedy, NY after 2pm, encounters with the cops, the counterculture, and an odd assortment of life changing influences to include the lure of enlightenment.
The Edge of Whiteness (Book) - 11/21/2013 9:55:25 AM
This review is from: The Edge of Whiteness (Paperback)
I LOVED this book! Joe Montaperto's personality shines through, and is sooo real, sooo funny…yet, sooo touching. Granted, I related to the subject matter, as I am of Italian heritage, though porcelain ivory would be my face make up. And, like the author, my being enticed by Black culture and in keeping an open mind about human relationships, I have pushed the edge of the envelope, thus marrying someone who is African American. But you don't have to have that kind of kinship to enjoy this book! Throughout The Edge of Whiteness, I didn't know whether he was writing a memoir or novel, but that didn't matter. He's such an entertaining storyteller! Certainly, the way he ended the book rang true. The exact words stayed in my mind for days. (Honest.) Clearly, Joe Montaperto is a very talented writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more from him.
