Twisted Head: An Italian-American Memoir

by Carl Capotorto

Book Overview

What's in a name? For Carl Capotorto, everything is in a name. The literal translation from Italian to English of Capotorto is "twisted head." This is no accident. Carl grew up in the Bronx in the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 076792861X
• ISBN13: 9780767928618
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Broadway Books
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Twisted head, a twisted memoir, and a great read

OK, I LOVED this book. Let me give you some key points first. 1. I'm NOT Italian, as a matter of fact the first time I had pasta it was out of the box, as was the sauce, and I was well into my TEENS before I had it! 2. My parents were normal, not "an exorcism, with laughs" 3. I'm not gay. WHY, oh WHY would I want to read this memoir? Because, I'm a memoir FANATIC. I love a good written memoir. Lives don't have to be exciting to make an exciting memoir. BUT, luckily, this book is as well written as it was a VERY GOOD READ. The author allows each particular character in his life come to life on the pages. So, you don't have to be gay, Italian, or have a drill sargent father to enjoy this book. Trust me. You get the whole package, LOVE, ANGER, FEAR. Deep seeded aggression. HUMOR. Psychotic episodes. Amazing it all fits in one book. This book was read in two days, and it isn't a short book. JUST one book that was very hard to put down. Kick back, grab your copy, and enjoy a good book that should be read for what it is. An amazingly GOOD memoir!!!

Heartwarming & Evocative

Twisted Head made me laugh and cry - occasionally at the same time! Having grown up in the 60's, I found something to relate to on almost every page. Mr. Capotorto has a wonderful touch in conveying a genuine feeling of time and place. I also appreciated his ability to bring back the fears, confusion and joys of childhood.

Enlightening, fun, memorable!

I enjoyed this memoir simply because I have always been interested in what growing up in New York is like and the versatile,oddball characters that city brings. I grew up in a small Colo town; I am not Italian, and I consider my husband a Cajun Italian as he grew up in New Orleans, so the Italian lifestyles vary greatly. Hence, my reason for selecting this New York Italian American memoir which I became interested in. Although the young man's memoir is simple and like many others' lives, I found his writing filled with descriptive words, engaging realistic dialogue, intriguing colorful characters and filled with life's crazy drama. Stories are lengthy enough to get a grip on, to allow the reader the full picture without extra detail. We are privy to the Italian/pizza restaurant business run by a tyrannical head of the family, siblings, growing up in the restaurant, or the cramped early home, the oddball tenants, pets loved and lost, and schooldays. We learn about the transfer to another home, the demolition and slaving through it as the author did as a young man. The memories about "rich" Aunt Diana and Uncle Aldo's home on the Jersey shore were amusing. The reader learns how the family was taught to catch clam, crab, shiners and pick mussels or trying to catch lobster. Reading about his experience was enlightening. Capotorto shares his story and musings from childhood friends, the disco era, family history, the scare of Son of Sam, and of course, how a grandmother entertained Frank Sinatra's mother. Another spark was his experience with theatre drama with high school students who were treated to a personal visit by the great Tennessee Williams, even though Williams was drunk. Caportoto's life in words was engaging, enlightening, humorous, sad and a fun memorable read. NOTE ABOUT A COMMENT posted: A commenter asks why I didn't mention that the author was gay. ANSWER: You ask why I don't mention the same-sex adventures??? There are NO same-sex adventures, no horny details !!! A young man tells about his coming-of-age and makes some references to his sexuality and you ask why I didn't mention the adventures?? !! Sorry, couldn't find any to spice up the review. I was not offended by anything I read about his being gay. If there were any offensive sexual stuff (gay or straight), then trust me, I am a big prude; I would forewarn readers. And I said gay or straight! I was more offended by a domineering, overbearing, ruthless father and a weak mother. The focus of the book is an Italian identity and family growing up in New York. That's what I read......Rizzo

Twisted Head

I thought Twisted Head was a great read. It is an honest and captivating trip into the complicated and heart pulling world that Mr. Capotorto grew up in. And hilariously unforgettable. These are characters that are so well drawn, that at times I felt as though I was watching a "twisted" bio pic of his life, or a great Scorcese interpretation of an authentic Bronx tale, minus the mafia. It is wonderfully evocative of the sixties and seventies and will make your memory pop with recognition and nostalgia. I could not put the book down!! Well, only to laugh alot. And cry. That's what I want from a book! The Bronx backdrop had me totally engaged. I want to give to this book to my friends. Beautifully written, with lots of heart and soul, it's a growing up/coming out, and utterly original, Italian American story that I loved reading!!

funny and moving

wow. This is a beautifully written, rich, moving and hilarious portrait of growing up gay and Italian in the Bronx through the 60's and 70's. I can't recall ever reading such an authentic, detailed, vivid and vibrant depiction of this world, written with wonderful warmth and generosity of spirit. Warning to New York City readers, don't read it on the subway unless you're ready for strange looks from other riders when you burst into spontaneous belly laughs, like I did. The final Epilogue moved me to tears, and left me reminiscing about my own journey through childhood to manhood. Can't wait to see more from this very talented and gifted (and cute!) writer.