Bobby Stitch

by Michael Milardo

"Bobby Stitch was as good an' complex a man as evuh walk the good Lawd's earth. Kind. Sensitive. Generous. Heart made 'a platinum. But Bobby, he be jes as ruthless, jes as calculatin' an' brutal as he be kind. That probly the hahdest thing 'bout Bobby tuh unduhstand. How could a man, a gentle man, also be ya wuhse nightmayuh? Take mah breath away jes thinkin' 'bout that look he get in his eye. That demon look. That when ya know his mind gone dahk. Not crazy dahk. No, Suh. Col', calculatin' dahk. With that 'Ah'm gonna kill ya' look settin' off yo' alahm. Freezin' ya heart an' soul. Whew! You be in big trouble then. Yes, Suh. You be in biiiiiig trouble then!" 

So says Dowie Howard of his best friend, prizefighter Bobby Stitch. But Bobby's story is about much more than boxing. It is a story of love, hate, friendship, and fear. A story of laughter and tragedy. A story of eternal love between a man and a woman.

320 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2016

Reviews

[JK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bobby Stitch by Michael Milardo is a page-turner; his writing kept me glued to the story and often at the edge of my seat. Milardo knows how to craft a fast moving and memorable plot with engaging dynamic characters and significant themes. His impressive knowledge of boxing, and its rise as a professional sport in the 1940's, serves as an effective backdrop to this novel. I learned to appreciate the "soul" and art behind boxing as a challenging and strategic sport. It is not simply about smashing faces and breaking bones; it requires serious discipline, ultimate concentration, preparation of mind and body....learning how to maintain focus and mindfulness, as well as mastering numerous moves, and crafting a plan of action that may need to be modified on a minute to minute basis to defeat the opponent.
The author gives so much more to his readers than a simple story about the rise of a young boy from street fighter to fame as a professional boxer. He understands the critical role mentors can play in helping to shape and guide a young person. Milardo does a superb job integrating several adult characters who play that significant role for young Bobby Stitch, whose anger initially ruled his actions. As a former educator, the life of Bobby Stitch reinforced my own beliefs about the critical role guides or mentors can play in positively shaping a person's decision-making and life choices.
Bobbi Stitch is also a story about the important role true and loyal friends play in our lives, those who can be depended upon no matter what life circumstances create. It is a story, too, about love and dedication to family and friends and learning to do the "right" thing, no matter how difficult that can be. It is also a story of confronting challenges and problems without being defeated. Milardo's novel places high value on a life lived with integrity, honesty, and honor and does this successfully through his main character, Bobby Stitch, his mentors, friends, and family. Michael Milardo's, Bobby Stitch, is truly a remarkable and memorable story.

[Gail Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I’d be interested in a coming-of-age book about a boxer, but the writer of this book created a world that was heartwarming and completely absorbing. The main character deals with a deep rage from a tragic event in childhood and the shame and burden of alcoholic parents, but the compassion and deep caring of others changes his life. The underlying rage doesn’t dissipate, but it becomes transformed and fuels his success as a professional boxer.

The author is a great storyteller combining both the sweetness and grit of life and recalling a way of life in a simpler time, but one that was as full of good and evil as the present. Every day events are told in a way that make them vivid and remarkable. The author created a world I wanted to live in. In fact, I did live in it during my reading of the book and will likely re-read it to return to that world. It’s much like our world, but with more love and warmth. A sweet thread of romance runs through the book along with a backbone of strength of a friend whose support and caring never falters.

This is a book that will make you look at life through a different lens. It’s deceptively simple in its narrative, but the characters’ emotions are so raw and unfiltered that you engage deeply with them. I wanted to live in their world and for a time I did. It is a book I will return to read again and again.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read. Although at first I thought this was about boxing, which normally would not have really interested me, the story is a well crafted journey into character development and very real family situations, as well as true friendship and love. I now have a deeper appreciation for the sport, as Milardo's skills portray the boxing scenes so tangibly that I felt as though I was right there. Bobby Stitch, and his life, will live on long in my memory.

[Michael Milardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 stars
Restores Your Faith in Humanity
ByG. Robinsonon January 30, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
I never thought I’d be interested in a coming-of-age book about a boxer, but the writer of this book created a world that was heartwarming and completely absorbing. The main character deals with a deep rage from a tragic event in childhood and the shame and burden of alcoholic parents, but the compassion and deep caring of others changes his life. The underlying rage doesn’t dissipate, but it becomes transformed and fuels his success as a professional boxer.

The author is a great storyteller combining both the sweetness and grit of life and recalling a way of life in a simpler time, but one that was as full of good and evil as the present. Every day events are told in a way that make them vivid and remarkable. The author created a world I wanted to live in. In fact, I did live in it during my reading of the book and will likely re-read it to return to that world. It’s much like our world, but with more love and warmth. A sweet thread of romance runs through the book along with a backbone of strength of a friend whose support and caring never falters.

This is a book that will make you look at life through a different lens. It’s deceptively simple in its narrative, but the characters’ emotions are so raw and unfiltered that you engage deeply with them. I wanted to live in their world and for a time I did. It is a book I will return to read again and again.