I love NYC and I love reading historical fiction about the city, especially when it has to do with real events. I loved the different perspectives from the family members as the day went on. I love that this was told over the course of one day and that we got a peak into their lives and grew to knew them, even over just a short period of time.

If you love family dramas and historical fiction, you may enjoy this. Thanks to the publisher for the eARC.

A big thank you to Netgalley and South Allen Street Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review Brooklyn '76. I found this short novel an intriguing read. A snapshot into an ordinary family's life, on an extraordinary day in Modern American History, Brooklyn '76 follows the four members of the Agnello family on the USA's Bicentennial celebrations - July 4th 1976. There were elements of this book which I really enjoyed, particularly the character focused plot. I appreciated the detail which was given to each of the Agnello family members. They all came to life as fully formed people, with hopes, dreams, frustrations and disappointments which felt entirely human and relatable. Their interactions with each other and their neighbours were written well, taking the reader by the hand through a Comedy of Errors which weaves together in a clever and believable way. Although I did enjoy these elements, I did find the overall story fell a little flat, with the plot falling short of my expectations. I kept anticipating that the day was building to something bigger, and more explosive, and personally I felt the payoff didn't quite hit the mark for me as a reader. I'm unsure as to whether this was a conscious decision by author Anthony Ausiello, to keep the tale realistic, or whether I should have managed my expectations better. I think this book would be much enjoyed for casual Historical Fiction readers, but personally I found it slightly lacking in delivery.

Taking place over the day the United States celebrated its 200th birthday Brooklyn ‘76 follows the Agnello family through their day, which goes quite differently for all of them. Paulie, husband and father, has been out of work because of a strike and is contemplating on how to make ends meet; Dee, overprotective mother and judgy wife, just wants to make it through the day with her children intact- she knows of too many mothers whose sons have lost their hands on Independence Day in years past and it won’t be her boys. Tony, 14, wants to spend the day with his girlfriend who has been gone for ten days and will risk the wrath of his parents should they find out he defied them. Then there’s 9 year old Alex who has been looking forward to this day for what feels like forever. All of the Agnellos start their day together but over the next 16 hours July 4, 1976 will play out differently for all of them.
Anthony Ausiello has written a character driven drama that is moving in all the right ways. The amount of insight he gives us into all 4 of the Agnellos makes this book truly something special and it gives a certain depth to the story, elevating it from mere fiction to something even deeper. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think perhaps this is a recount of his July 4th in 1976.
This book won’t be for everyone. While it’s short, it isn’t fast paced and is mostly told in the narrative (which I think works perfectly). Every few paragraphs jump to another of the Agnello family, sometimes repeating a scene from a different character’s vantage (again, it works perfectly).
The character development is superb, but not in the way you might expect. 16 hours doesn’t give a lot of time for growth, but Mr. Ausiello has given us real people, not just fictional characters, and the day they’ve had will stick with you for a long time to come. Thank you to NetGalley and South Allen Street Press for an advanced copy of this. Brooklyn ‘76 hits the shelves on February 20th.

Brooklyn '76 takes place on the day of America's Bicentennial. That's right - one day. The author takes us through a day in the life of an Italian family. You might not think you want to read an entire book about only one day, but the author weaves you through the characters' lives so effortlessly, you are fully engrossed. There is a strong sense of place as evidenced by the title. Reading it almost made me forget I'm in the middle of a midwestern winter.

Brooklyn, the US bicentennial, and one colorful family make up the heart of Brooklyn 76 over a single day. The Italian-American Bagnello family are just trying to survive and enjoy the big day and throughout the day, each come to terms with their own challenges. With classism on full display and the struggles of one family in the midst of a whole lot of joy, Brooklyn 76 proves that not everything is as it seems on the outside.

In the heart of Brooklyn, the Agnello family experiences the tumultuous landscape of Bicentennial morning, marked by the crackle of fireworks and the anticipation of a neighborhood block party. The backdrop of celebration, however, conceals the cracks in the Agnellos’ lives, exacerbated by Paulie’s desperate struggle amidst a union strike and Dee’s unyielding protectiveness over her children, particularly when it comes to her husband.

“Brooklyn ’76” unfolds as a captivating family drama, with Tony, the elder son, navigating the complexities of adolescence and budding romance, ready to challenge his parents for independence. It also navigates the origin story of the parents with Chapter 17 talking about Paulie and Johnny, his best friend, I believe the moment that Paulie also had his life changed leading him to where he finds himself on the bicentennial day. When we learn about Dee in Chapter 23, it gives you the background of what makes her hardened and maybe sad. Meanwhile, Alex, the younger son, views the world through innocent eyes, a perspective that is poised to be shattered by the end of the day.

The author skillfully captures the urgency of the family’s struggles, drawing readers into the intricacies of each character’s journey. And although their parts in Brooklyn ’76 are not in-depth, the characters of Zizi and Richie, deserve honorable mentions.

The story culminates in a fireworks extravaganza that, instead of sealing joyous memories, transforms into a tragic event, leaving one life hanging in the balance.

With a perfect blend of wit and gravity, this urgent and thought-provoking tale is a must-read for those seeking a compelling narrative that resonates long after the final page.

Girl Friday Productions provided an early galley for review.

I instantly could relate to this author's story, having grown up in an Italian family in the 70's (though I was living on the far end of the state from Ausiello). I remember the excitement surrounding America's 200th birthday as well as extended family activities. In so many ways, this was like going back home again.

I like the way we are presented with the key characters - the four Agnello family members. I also like the way Ausiello built out the world around them - with extended family, co-workers, friends, etc. My gut instinct suggests to me that this story has some autobiographical roots from the author's own life growing up at the time. I say that because everything comes across as very organic - to how people talk, act, etc.

One touch I especially liked: the elderly aunt Zizi only speaks Italian so I had to use an online translator for her dialogue. I appreciated that it was not automatically translated for the reader, giving an extra bonus for a little effort on the reader's part.

All in all, I really enjoyed Brooklyn '76 a lot. While it was a self-contained, day-in-the-life snapshot of a family, this is a group of characters I would welcome a revisit with again should Ausiello decide to do a sequel.

July 7, 1976. America's bicentennial. It was the part of the year - the entire country was celebrating. It was no different in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The Agnello family wakes up in their apartment and no one knows how the day will go.

Dee is in the kitchen, working on her ziti. She's tired, she's hot and she's smoking cigarette after cigarette. Paulie has been on strike from the phone company and is anxiously waiting for an update. He's worried about the kids tuition for the next year, but not worried enough to NOT visit the neighborhood OTB. Tony, 14 years old and full of teenage angst, has his first girlfriend and is trying to think about how he can spend the holiday with her. Alex, the baby of the family, is still innocent enough to just be excited about the fireworks and maybe eating a hot dog.

Anthony Ausiello has taken one single day and one family and created a world full of characters, love, anxiety, and heart. He's captured the essence of summer in Brooklyn, of street closings, of knowing every single neighbor, of first girlfriends and of family. The Agnello's all have a day that they could never imagine.

The writing is fantastic. There is a vintage feel to the book, it reminds me of books I've read before, but not in a bad way. It's the type of storytelling that is rare these days.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

Author: Anthony Ausiello
Started: January 14, 2024
Finished: January 14, 2024
Genre: Literary Fiction
Format: Kindle

July 4, 1976, the Bicentennial, and all of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn is out in the street to celebrate. The Angello family has their own issues that day: Paulie, who is on strike, has gambled away his son's tuition, Dee is beyond an over protective mother, Tony just wants to be with his girlfriend, and Alex just wants to throw his snaps since he can't have fireworks. No one will get the day they want.

I waited for something, anything to happe and it never did. I found nothing endearing about any of the characters. The father, Paulie, reminded me of those guys in my old neighborhood who will never grow up and the mother was a helicopter parent before the title existed. I really did enjoy this book.

This is a fantastically immersive family drama that follows the Agnello family - parents Paulie and Dee, and their sons Tony and Alex - on a long, hot, sticky, and tumultuous 4th of July as their Italian-American neighborhood celebrates the US Bicentennial. 

Each of them has their own problems, their own wants and fears and goals, and each of them is plagued by Murphy's law as things go from bad to worse over the course of the day, building like a fireworks display to a catastrophic crescendo that is at once poignant and ultimately hopeful. The characters are messy, unique, and richly developed as we spend the day with them, and each of their individual arcs is engaging and layered. 

The period vibes are IMPECCABLE. The setting and descriptive writing are vivid and tangible - the pages are cast in the slightly golden glow of a 1970s show from a walnut-cabineted television on a shag carpet, perfectly at home alongside Welcome Back Kotter, All In The Family, Sanford And Son, and Starsky And Hutch. It's more than authentic, it's a time machine. (Then fast forward and add a dash of The Sopranos.)

I didn't know what to expect when I began reading this book, and halfway through I still wasn't sure what to think. The pacing is leisurely and unhurried, with quirky twists and turns along the way, at times comical and at times heartbreaking, but definitely worth sticking with it. As soon as I let the story sweep me along with the characters I was able to fully appreciate it for what it is - a colorful, Kodachrome slice-of-life snapshot of a moment in time for one family on the brink of change.

It reads with period-authentic sensibilities too, which, while the author never pushes the envelope too far, can feel somewhat uncomfortable or insensitive at times in the ways characters speak or are described. 

I enjoyed reading this book, and the colorful characters, setting, and story will stay with me for a long time and would make an intriguing screen adaptation.

I'm thankful to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me with a free advance reader copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This novel takes place in one day and follows the Agnello family as they prepare for the Bicentennial. From the teenager who wishes to spend the day with his girlfriend to the younger son who still has an innocence about him but will soon learn how cruel the world can be, to their parents struggling to maintain a household for them while trying to make ends meet.

An interesting take on an Italian-American family. I loved how each story seamlessly transitioned from one family member to the next as the day progressed. Weaving an intricate tapestry of their lives in a matter of hours was brilliantly accomplished. I really got a sense of how strong this family seemed on the outside, with all their hidden secrets and regrets threatening to tear them apart.

A somewhat dark yet honest look at a family as they struggle with new emotions, money problems, coming-of-age, and tragedy.
Wonderful read.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

There’s alot to like here! Brooklyn ‘76 oozes 70s vibes in this slice-of-life novel, following an Italian-American family of four at a block party to celebrate the bicentennial. The witty banter and relatable internal dialogue are reminiscent of A Christmas Story. But on this hot summer day, Paulie, Dee, and their 2 sons are under pressure all for their own reasons- and their lives will never be the same again.

Thank you to South Allen Street Press and NetGalley for this digital ARC of Brooklyn '76 by Anthony Ausiello.

I loved this life-in-a-day, nostalgia-laden account of the July 4th. 1976 American bicentennial celebrations on a single block in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. It's told through the experiences of one family - Dee (mother), Paulie (father), and Tony and Alex (teen and pre-teen sons) as well as touching on the lives of their extended family, friends, and neighbors.

This feels like a story written partially from memory and recollection, a love letter to the author's childhood in Brooklyn. It's not universally happy - there's a lot of strife and stress wrapped up in that one day, filtering in from the real world and real-life experiences. Familial tension, childhood-based trauma informing adult behaviors, financial woes, gambling all make an appearance and have an impact but the overall feeling I got from this novel is one of a time and lifestyle loved and missed.

I'd love to see someone making a film of this book. It wouldn't be a blockbuster but it would be very enjoyable.

I enjoyed the different family viewpoints in this novel whilst also being shown the American history of '76 in the background of the family's lives.

A fantastic story that takes place in one day, America's bicentennial. It's a good day, it's a bad day, and it's a story that had me captivated the whole way. Told by each of four family members living in Brooklyn, you get four perspectives of the same big day. I loved it.