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Pierce
Grad student Leo Vasari's life was shattered when his lover Matt died in a car accident. Exactly one year later, Millie, Matt's mother and Leo's close friend, tries to kill herself. Leo, still mourning his loss, must somehow unravel the mystery that lies at the heart of the troubled Pierce family. Pierce is about grief and rebirth, and moving on to love once more - but the only way Leo can do that is by finding out the true reasons for his lover's death. Leo struggles with his sadness and guilt as he searches for answers - and discovers dark family secrets never meant to be revealed.
369 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2007
5 people want to read
About the author
Roberto C. Ferrari
3 books1 followerRoberto C. Ferrari has been an adjunct professor, bird handler, disc jockey, fortune teller, pianist, receptionist, and university and museum librarian. He holds degrees from the University of South Florida, and is currently in New York City working towards his Ph.D. in art history. His articles have appeared in the Journal of Library Administration, Journal of Pre-Raphaelite Studies, and Notes and Queries, and his fiction in the Louisiana Review. His first novel is Pierce.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 5, 2008
Pierce is the story of Leo Vasari, an aspiring professor of literature, who won't allow himself to recover from the death of his lover, Matthew Pierce. On the first anniversary of his death, Millie, Matt's formerly estranged mother and Leo's close friend, tries to take her own life by swallowing an entire bottle of valium. Concerned about his friend and seeking a distraction from his own life, Leo is suddenly determined to uncover the truth about why she attempted suicide and what caused her to have such a tumultuous relationship with her son.
The last words Leo spoke to Matt were during a violent argument the two had about Millie, just before he stormed out of their home in a rage and drove off for the last time. Overcome with sadness and guilt, Leo wants to understand why his relationship with her was such a point of contention. As he learns more about Matt's childhood and upbringing, which includes the disappearance of his abusive father, Jack, and his mother's proceeding abandonment, Leo is finally able to comprehend why Matt once had a history of self-mutilation, or cutting. Much to the chagrin of Matt's sister, Theresa, who would prefer to let the past remain in the past, Leo is asked to participate in Millie's therapy. Following a group session, Leo takes notice of an unidentified man who keeps suspiciously appearing. Millie later explains he is a private investigator she hired to find her husband, seeking money owed for services rendered. Throughout the unfolding mystery of Matt's family saga, Leo continues to work on his dissertation while building a new relationship with Armando, a UPS delivery guy who has taken an interest in him.
Other facts to consider, which are supposed to help unravel the mystery but only further complicate it: a note addressed to Millie, retrieved from Matt's casket; Theresa's miscarriage at age fourteen; Matt's blood-stained teddy bear; Jack's ties to organized crime; and lest we forget George, Leo's homophobic brother and Theresa's ex-husband.
Pierce tries to be many things--mystery novel, psychological thriller, intimate portrait, gay romance--and debut author Roberto Ferrari's ambition is to be commended. I thoroughly enjoyed Leo's story and remained compelled throughout the plot's many twists and turns. Yet I felt a bit overwhelmed, not by the story or the author's use of language--he clearly has a knack for dialogue and character development--but rather by the numerous tasks he sets out to accomplish. Granted, without the author's accessible writing style, the complexity of these subjects (suicide, mental illness, depression, child abuse) could have easily upstaged the underlying story of a man seeking closure. As a result, Pierce is likely to appeal to many audiences, because there is truly something for everyone.
The last words Leo spoke to Matt were during a violent argument the two had about Millie, just before he stormed out of their home in a rage and drove off for the last time. Overcome with sadness and guilt, Leo wants to understand why his relationship with her was such a point of contention. As he learns more about Matt's childhood and upbringing, which includes the disappearance of his abusive father, Jack, and his mother's proceeding abandonment, Leo is finally able to comprehend why Matt once had a history of self-mutilation, or cutting. Much to the chagrin of Matt's sister, Theresa, who would prefer to let the past remain in the past, Leo is asked to participate in Millie's therapy. Following a group session, Leo takes notice of an unidentified man who keeps suspiciously appearing. Millie later explains he is a private investigator she hired to find her husband, seeking money owed for services rendered. Throughout the unfolding mystery of Matt's family saga, Leo continues to work on his dissertation while building a new relationship with Armando, a UPS delivery guy who has taken an interest in him.
Other facts to consider, which are supposed to help unravel the mystery but only further complicate it: a note addressed to Millie, retrieved from Matt's casket; Theresa's miscarriage at age fourteen; Matt's blood-stained teddy bear; Jack's ties to organized crime; and lest we forget George, Leo's homophobic brother and Theresa's ex-husband.
Pierce tries to be many things--mystery novel, psychological thriller, intimate portrait, gay romance--and debut author Roberto Ferrari's ambition is to be commended. I thoroughly enjoyed Leo's story and remained compelled throughout the plot's many twists and turns. Yet I felt a bit overwhelmed, not by the story or the author's use of language--he clearly has a knack for dialogue and character development--but rather by the numerous tasks he sets out to accomplish. Granted, without the author's accessible writing style, the complexity of these subjects (suicide, mental illness, depression, child abuse) could have easily upstaged the underlying story of a man seeking closure. As a result, Pierce is likely to appeal to many audiences, because there is truly something for everyone.
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