Raising Jake

by Charlie Carillo

Book Overview

In Charlie Carillo?s funny, insightful novel, a divorced man gets to know his seventeen-year-old son in a tale that rewrites the book on quality time together.. Sammy Sullivan is working his way down the ladder of success. Divorced and pushing fifty, his relationships have the longevity of a fruit fly. But how many men can get themselves fired and have their only son expelled from prep school all in one day? Now, after almost eighteen years, he and Jake may finally get to know each other. (That?s if his ex-wife?the super-achiever Sammy can only dream of being?doesn?t find out.) Jake knows virtually nothing about his roots. So, Sammy shows him the old neighborhood in the far reaches of Queens. But it?s been thirty years. The older woman Sammy lost his virginity to now uses a walker to get around. Most of his hangouts are long gone. It?s dreary, born-to-lose stuff. But Jake is on a mission. Wise beyond his (and his dad?s) years, he doesn?t want his father to miss out the second time around on the good things he blew the first time. And they?ve got a whole weekend together?a journey where Sammy will confront his, dysfunctional childhood and Jake will face a past he never knew he had.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758235046
• ISBN13: 9780758235046
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 341 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Grabbed my attention all the way through!

Raising Jake was one of the best kindle books I've read. The story moved me and grabbed me as three generations of men finally reconnected with each other, putting behind past grudges and anger to reach out and and validate the love they all still shared and their willingness to forgive for the sake of their family relationships. Son, father and grandfather all found each other again after years of absence. A great story that peeled away all the "stuff" of life that doesn't matter and got down to the basics that do matter where happiness is concerned. I really, really loved this story.

Raising Jake a story of love, growth and family

One of the best coming of age novels I've read. Wonderfully written. THANK YOU Mr. Carillo. More Please. Vanessa

A Great Read!

This book has great character development, surprising but believable twists, and really puts some interesting perspectives on relationships. You can't help but care about the characters, and you laugh, you might cry, but for the most part they are likable but real. But it is by no means a chick book, the key characters are the males, they are the best developed. I bought this because it was free on Kindle and sounded interesting, but I'll look for more by this author and pay for them.

Raising Jake: An Absolute Gem! Reviewer: Renee S. N.Y.C.

I ggot this book yesterday, a free download from Kindle, and read it straight through - once I started I couln't put it down. It really was a delight! You know the cliche - I laughed, I cried... but it really is true. the nofel takes place over one weekend, as Sammy Sullivan, a divorced father, and his seventeen year old son, Jake get to know each other as they never have before. This description is a bit deceptive since the narrative, told by Sammy, really covers both of their lives, as well as the lives of the other important people in their circle. I won't give away any more of the plot. You need to experience it yourself. And it is an experience, as you are brought to laughter and to tears by some of the incidents in the story I thought the writing was superb, and the plot extremely well-crafted and tight. At times I thought I was reading an autobiography; that's how true Sammy's "voice" was. Kindlers, buy this now, while it is still free. It's a terrific read. Highly recommended. A really great read.