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A thoroughly absorbing read
with a rich and satisfying feast of character, history, family strife, terminal
illness, love and grief. This is ultimately uplifting and inspiring, with an
expression of devotional love and indomitable spirit.
Who Said I Can't is a biographical story of sibling bonding and details the
story of how Ralph J. Moscato lived with Cooley's Anemia, bonding with his older
sister and became a celebrated artist. The book details three generations of an
Italian American family in New York during the first three quarters of the
twentieth century, narrated by Ralph's sister, Regina.
The novel begins with Ralph's funeral: we look back at the past three weeks of
Ralph's life to recapture his last moments. The book follows his sister Regina
narrating his life story, how he survived within the Marsala family, who were
dysfunctional. We learn of Regina's thoughts, feelings and memories and how she
looked after Ralph from the age of 10 . Regina married at the age of 14.
Together they fought many obstacles.
At that time the world they lived in was full of strife, terminal illness,
family entanglements with organized crime. There are details of how their father
became a "wise guy", ran betting operations for the mob, while experiencing
difficulties with money, gambling, drinking, and womanizing.
We learn of how Ralph (born in 1952) was first tragically diagnosed in his
infancy with the fatal illness of Cooley's Anemia which required constant blood
transfusions to keep him alive. This was essential treatment, yet the
transfusions was expected to kill him. Eventually they cause an overload of
iron. He was not expected to live beyond the age of 10. Ralph's life was far
longer and fuller than anyone expected. Carried along by sheer determination and
strength of character, Ralph lived until 1984, developing a major talent as an
artist, and bringing light into many people's lives.
This is a truly unmissable story, a character-driven dramatic saga which evokes
a world filled with dramas of an extraordinary family's lives. The reader is
taken on a fascinating journey detailing twentieth century history and a disease
not well known, from Pearl Harbor to the Woodstock Festival, by way of the Cuban
Crisis, civil rights and rock and roll. This is the first novel written about
Cooley's Anemia.
Over 1 million copies sold globally as reported by
PBSHOP, THE_BOOK_DEPOSITORY_ , CAIMANOUTLET, AMAZON A 5-Star Rating. |
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