The Dons

by Archimede Fusillo

Paul is trying to escape. He's trying to escape from an Italian heritage that just doesn't seem to have relevance for him any more, and he's trying to escape from his nonno. They come from two different worlds, he and his grandfather, and Paul is more interested in his own world his friends, the girls, the fast cars, the go-carts than Nonno's strange and embarrassing behaviour. Nonno is more than just a silly old man getting in the way of Paul's lifestyle, though. Nonno has more stories to tell than Paul can even begin to imagine. But there is one big problem Nonno is losing his mind. From the author of the highly successful Sparring with Shadows comes an irresistible, inspiring and brilliantly evocative story of family love, loyalty and wisdom.

Genres: School

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2015

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because Archie is going to be running some writing workshops for adults and I wanted to get a feel for his work even though the book is for teens and the workshops are for adults. It's about Paul who lives with his widowed mother and her ageing father who is succumbing to dementia. Paul is growing up, noticing girls and occasionally embarrassed and frustrated by his nonno. It's a few years old now, and it shows occasionally in some of the cultural references but not enough to detract from the fact it is a good story well told.

[Ash]

The worst novel I have read in my life. And worse still? I chose the novel for my Year 9 English class. No stars. Out of respect for the author I will say no more. Still I guess that's disrespectful in itself. Sorry.

[Sue Bursztynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, funny and sad story with autobiographical elements. It's gentle and feel-good. What can I say? I loved it!

[Nicole Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book.
Adolescence is hard enough for a boy but add in complex situations like the sudden death of your father, your mum being back on the dating scene & sharing your bedroom with your grandfather who has dementia - could make for a difficult time for someone who is falling in love himself.
A very sweet ending that would make any mother proud to have a son who shines despite the hurdles.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it reminded me of my nonno so much I cried alot reading parts and laughed out loud in other parts. Its such a heart-warming book. I finished it in a day it was like looking back at old photos so nostalgic, absolutely loved it!!
La famiglia e tutto

[Maria Liuzzi-Scalpelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this heartwarming story but dropped a star as I was disappointed with the ending. Wanted more. Highly recommend this book to children and anyone with teenage children and elderly parents, especially migrant ones!

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars for me

[Liina Safitii]

what year is this book set in ?

[Fred & Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story about an Australian boy with Italian heritage. In fact, it is about his relationship with his aging grandfather who has to live with he and his mother. He not only must share his room with his grandfather, but his grandfather influences his life, and interferes with his social life much more than he would like--at first.

Of course, it is all about a boy learning to value and really love and respect his heritage and his elders.

[★ Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for year eight english, semester one

I probably should have enjoyed this book more than I did, being of Italian heritage and all. It was definitely a quick and entertaining read, with a fantastic message and heartwarming ending. However, when you analyze a book in depth for too long (when there really isnt a lot to analyze) the novelty wares of, and you start to hate a book.
I will need to re-read this, one day.

[Anton Mifsud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from start to end. It was so entertaining and enjoyable. I come from an Italian background and Nonno was portrayd as a real Italian that I can realte to in real life. Paul is so sopportive of his Nonno and it is wrecking his personal life, but he looks after Nonno instead. I thought that the book was wonderfully written and is a must. I will defiantly read Archimede Fusillo's other books.

[📚 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 13 so I thought for a while growing up that maybe I didn’t like it because I didn’t understand it but still to this day at 18 I don’t really understand the purpose of this book. I get that it explores concepts of family and how difficult it can be to navigate the many problems that come along with it but I just never could seem to like this book no matter how many times I tried to read it.

[Dhena Anggur · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book makes me miss my grand ma...feel guilty that i didn't give enough love when she was alive.

[Jased · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent YAF. Humourous with a poignant message.

[Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Coming from an ethnic family I could relate to this book.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for school and I think I was the only person in the class that enjoyed it :(

[Anette Ainsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book about a teenager and his grandfather who has Dementia.