North Hill

by William Zink

Puck Beck feels invisible. Born into a large Catholic family, he's a wise guy, the resident wit. But humor can't seem to get him out of the shadows of his older brothers or make his dad appreciate him. His dad, afflicted with polio in the 1950s epidemic, runs an automotive garage but then loses everything when his business partner skips town. Puck and the boys help fend off the family's financial ruin by doing odd jobs, until one day when the amazing Teresa Del Rosa appears. Desired by every guy on North Hill, she triggers an internal struggle in Puck, forcing him to choose between his faith and teenage desire, with nothing less than his family's fate hanging in the balance.

Genres: Fiction

306 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2022

About the author

"Zink is one hell of a writer." — Andrei Codrescu

William Zink is the author of numerous books, including The Hole, Ballad of the Confessor, Ohio River Dialogues, Pieta, and Wild Grapes. His books have been praised by Booklist, Andrei Codrescu, The Charleston City Paper, The Main Street Rag, Donald Ray Pollock, Dagoberto Gilb, and others. His novel, Ohio River Dialogues, was a finalist for the Ohioana Fiction Award.

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in Akron and I'm married to a North Hill guy. I loved this book. Even if you aren't from the area, if you grew up in the 60s, you'll find this book relatable. If you don't see yourself in the story, you'll likely see someone you knew. Great book. I highly recommend it!

[Al Ciraldo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book and I found it times I was just trying to finish it started to read another book at the same time because it was kind of boring my parents lived on North Hill I spent a lot of time living and working on North Hill he mentions places in North Hill but no details some of the streets and some of the businesses are not real it was almost like he couldn’t remember what he was writing about. It was almost like his diary of a 16-year-old teenager needed a lot better editing better pacing some good moments but not enough would not recommend this book unless you are from North Hill

[Mary Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read, just a bit less than satisfying in that I wanted more insight and sometimes more detail along the lines of what-then. The characters are varied and interesting, not always likeable but in the end understandable. Zink has developed a great deal from an earlier book I read and no doubt is a good writer coming into his own. I recommend this one for the tender moments and gripping predicaments.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting coming-of-age story set in late 1960s Akron. Feeling a bit invisible in his large family, Puck Beck struggles with keeping his faith and his increasing libido, which he feels are at odds. Plenty of local interest in this novel, as well as relatable teen angst.

[Deborah Clapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love his writing style and how he weaved this story through North Hill, as I grew up in The Falls. Very impressed and will definitely read some of William's other books 📚 👍

[Karen Ripple · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. The family's foundation was love and the father's discipline, but they were burnt-oatmeal-for-breakfast poor. So poor, the neighbors made excuses to give the kids food. I grew up in Akron and worked near Tallmadge Avenue; I loved the mention of DeViti's and St. Martha's Church as it made it seem a true story - and maybe it is? I would bet that these kids became self-sufficient, good adults because of their loving but hardscrabble upbringing.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not much of a plot here; it's mostly just vignettes about a teenage boy coming of age in Akron in the late 60's. But all of those bits add up to an endearing portrait of a family in this time.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

C. fiction, realistic fiction, Akron, 1950s

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annoying, "dear reader".

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. It was really unique to read such a captivating novel about the city I grew up in. The stories were phenomenal.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is a bit amateurish, but I got a kick out of reading a book that was so Akron. I was a bit younger than these folks in the late 60's, maybe the age of Squirt, but by the late 70's I was cruising around the North Hill area and going to bars in Kent. Three stars for nostalgia's sake.

[Donna Brodsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sensitively written story with a wry comedic look at growing up in what I call a force of nature; a large, poor Catholic family during the social and musical upheaval of the sixties and a teen who searches to find his place in that world. I could not put it down. It's beautifully told.