House of Holy Fools: A Family Portrait in Six Cracked Parts

by Amy Biancolli

A family memoir filled with hope and grief, music and discord, madness and miracles, loss and faith.

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2004

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful portrait of an eccentric, brilliant, loving family from the point-of-view of the youngest daughter, the "normal one," who suffered the loss of all three of her Biancolli compatriots within two years' time. A very emotional read, which left me having to take breaks to weep in the bathroom from time to time, only to come back to the pages and roar with laughter over a different passage. A spiritual awakening story it is too, as the author concedes that death who was perceived as "an irksome, malodorous visitor who claimed squatter's rights on the living room couch" when in Truth their family was being stalked by God.
I had the good fortune of living two cottages East from the Biancollis as a child, and hearing the author's voice that was strangely familiar, particularly the humor, was like returning to Lake Waramaug of 1974. I even heard Lucy playing Chopin on the piano.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful. Sad as hell, hilarious, poignant and insightful. If you've lost a loved one -- or several close ones, as my journalist friend Amy has -- you will find the tale of the brilliant and zany Biancollis rich in inspiration and catharsis.