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The Winter Barbeque
THE RECOLLECTION
It’s a winter’s day, perhaps the last day of an old man’s existence.
Matt “Tug” Cutugno has lived a good life, that of a hard working family man. He has earned the right to a happy ending; he wants a pat on the back for a job well done. But just where is his reward?
Tug’s wife and children are gone and his dreams of a future are now memories of his past – the war; getting married and raising a family; his days as a working man.
His present is filled by winter barbeques of grilled kielbasa for breakfast, grilled chicken for lunch and grilled zucchini and hot dogs for dinner.
As he sits on his lawn chair in the snow-covered backyard of the home that he built himself, a menagerie of wonderful people visits this extraordinary everyman who is not searching for himself, but who is seeking the meaning of what he accomplished in this life.
And with each visit from his wife, his children, his friends and neighbors, his war time buddies, the story of this brave and unsentimental man unfolds so that the past and present merge into something that can be called the truth of an entire generation of men who fought in World War II.
It’s a winter’s day, perhaps the last day of an old man’s existence.
Matt “Tug” Cutugno has lived a good life, that of a hard working family man. He has earned the right to a happy ending; he wants a pat on the back for a job well done. But just where is his reward?
Tug’s wife and children are gone and his dreams of a future are now memories of his past – the war; getting married and raising a family; his days as a working man.
His present is filled by winter barbeques of grilled kielbasa for breakfast, grilled chicken for lunch and grilled zucchini and hot dogs for dinner.
As he sits on his lawn chair in the snow-covered backyard of the home that he built himself, a menagerie of wonderful people visits this extraordinary everyman who is not searching for himself, but who is seeking the meaning of what he accomplished in this life.
And with each visit from his wife, his children, his friends and neighbors, his war time buddies, the story of this brave and unsentimental man unfolds so that the past and present merge into something that can be called the truth of an entire generation of men who fought in World War II.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2010
17 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 1, 2013
I was hooked at the end of the first chapter. The author did a fantastic job of writing this as an old man. The descriptions of each action, the phrases used, the tidbits - all sounded like an old man! Pretty incredible. The whole book is an hour by hour breakdown of the last day of a man's life. I wouldn't think that this would be interesting, but the writing style makes it incredibly interesting.
***Semi-Spoiler***
I still have many questions about what happened in the book. Clearly all the characters that make an appearance are figments of his imagination, but did he imagine all of them? This is something I still don't know. Maybe I'd be able to reach that conclusion if I re-read the book, but I'm not sure.
Overall - loved the book. Would definitely read other books by the same author.
***Semi-Spoiler***
I still have many questions about what happened in the book. Clearly all the characters that make an appearance are figments of his imagination, but did he imagine all of them? This is something I still don't know. Maybe I'd be able to reach that conclusion if I re-read the book, but I'm not sure.
Overall - loved the book. Would definitely read other books by the same author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2012
This book focuses on the last 24 hours of an old mans life. I couldn't put this book down, as the author really touched on everything from the old mans (his fathers) point of view. This should be required reading for anyone working with dying patients or family members/friends. This book provides much insight into the mind of person nearing the end. I know this book will help me in my work. Matt Cutugno wrote this book as a tribute to his fathers life. Great Job! After reading the book, I really felt I knew the old man, just wish I had read this book before my mother passed.
November 23, 2012
Unforgettable. Heartwarming. A tribute to family and life and love. The author has taken the memoirs of his aging father and woven them into a tapestry of love as an elderly man recounts his life in flashbacks on possibly the last day of his life. Intermixed are the results of the ravages of time on the human body, the enjoyment of simple pleasures, the pain of loss, the acceptance that the end is near.
Even if you read this in bits in pieces, you will be impacted with the quiet force of this story. This is life and love, the good parts, the humorous parts, all of it.
Even if you read this in bits in pieces, you will be impacted with the quiet force of this story. This is life and love, the good parts, the humorous parts, all of it.
September 29, 2016
The idea of presenting the story is good. It started well. But somewhere it lost the steam. May be because there is no surprise incident, which will get joined by various people, family and friends who are no more, visiting WWII veteran Matt in his imagination and it got repetitive and slow.
January 18, 2023
Lovely, sad and hauntingly beautiful.
This is the most amazing book from a modern writer that I have read in years! If you are dealing with, or have lost, your older parents , make sure and open a fresh box of tissues. But, seriously, this is a finely crafted work of art that you shouldn't miss! ( FYI, the misspelling is on purpose) 😍
This is the most amazing book from a modern writer that I have read in years! If you are dealing with, or have lost, your older parents , make sure and open a fresh box of tissues. But, seriously, this is a finely crafted work of art that you shouldn't miss! ( FYI, the misspelling is on purpose) 😍
January 5, 2018
Unique
I found this book by Matt Cutugno to be intriguing and different to most books I read. The ending was a surprise and unexpected.
I found this book by Matt Cutugno to be intriguing and different to most books I read. The ending was a surprise and unexpected.
November 11, 2019
Not worth it
This book is very repetitive. A quarter of it or more could have been taken out as the days repeat themselves.
This book is very repetitive. A quarter of it or more could have been taken out as the days repeat themselves.
March 27, 2020
so repetitive
from the first paragraph it was apparent the ending
boring fantasy repetitive waste of time blah blah blah could have been 1 paragraph
from the first paragraph it was apparent the ending
boring fantasy repetitive waste of time blah blah blah could have been 1 paragraph
July 13, 2024
The perspective on old age from a curmudgeonly old man. All the people in his life “visit him” during these 24 hours. It was quite entertaining
March 15, 2017
A must read!!!
A great work. Once you start, you must finish. I recommend this book to all ages. All of us over 70 have / are living this. Those younger and those much, much younger need this story as guide to the future and to the end. Warm and heartfelt.
A great work. Once you start, you must finish. I recommend this book to all ages. All of us over 70 have / are living this. Those younger and those much, much younger need this story as guide to the future and to the end. Warm and heartfelt.
January 19, 2012
If you have no idea what Alzheimer's/dementia is like - this book will give you an idea. There are very loose thoughts, wandering, disconnectedness, alienation, etc, etc. If you have lived through it, don't torture yourself by reading this book.
Maybe Cutugno is a good writer and is just really good at descringing Alzheimer's/dementia. Maybe.
Maybe Cutugno is a good writer and is just really good at descringing Alzheimer's/dementia. Maybe.
October 7, 2013
An old man at the end of his life remembers what made it special. All the friends and the meals around the barbeque. He introduces us to a wide list of character that have moved in and out of his life. It is poignant and funny at the same time. I enjoyed the stories he told. Stories so similar to ones you might hear around a barbeque, on a back porch with a beer and a good neighbour.
June 12, 2012
Not sure what to say about this one. I understood what was going on, but not entirely. May have something to do with the fact I am getting close to Matt's age. Still, it really did not keep me reading. was too easy to put the book down and do something else.
April 16, 2012
This was a book where I thought I knew what was going on, but it never got explained so I can't be sure... It was a good book otherwise.
May 15, 2012
Really a 3.5 - very poignant book
June 2, 2012
Good story but I found myself very sad throughout.
July 26, 2012
Very thought provoking.
August 19, 2012
Having a hard time getting through this book. But I try to finish what I started.
January 21, 2013
hard going - well written but I struggled to finish it - maybe you have to be in a certain frame of mind reading it
April 19, 2013
Every one should read this book
October 23, 2014
Almost too near the truth
when you are 80+ it is all to easy to identify with this story. The many similarities to my own life is scary
when you are 80+ it is all to easy to identify with this story. The many similarities to my own life is scary
January 6, 2015
Re "The Winter Barbeque" by Matt Cutugno: A good read! It's a memoir and tribute to the author's father. A haunting and sad yet very memorable bk!
April 14, 2016
I really liked this although I still had questions at the end. But sometimes a good book keeps you guessing.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews