The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: Loving & Leaving by Jack Lucci

Book Details:

Author: Jack Lucci
Release Date: March 28, 2023
Series:
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 92 pages
Publisher: Koehler Books
Blurb:
The first installment of Jack Lucci’s living memoir, Loving & Leaving spans five years, touching on themes of gratefulness and regret and stories of love for people, places, narcotics, and the effort it takes to sustain that love. Far from stable and rather turbulent, Lucci chronicles his life as he oscillates between hero and anti-hero, sharing lessons learned in the Italian countryside, mistakes made in America’s Second City, the angst and constriction of southeastern Washington, and observations on the miserable Oregon coast. Whether you find yourself rooting for or against him, Loving & Leaving is the result of bleeding over the keyboard.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Jack Lucci’s “Loving & Leaving” is a raw and candid reflection on a life lived at the extremes. This first installment of Lucci’s living memoir takes readers on a tumultuous journey through love, regret, and self-discovery. Lucci’s narrative is as captivating as it is unsettling, chronicling his experiences with unflinching honesty and a profound sense of introspection.

The memoir spans five eventful years of Lucci’s life, touching on themes that resonate deeply with the human experience. His stories of love – for people, places, and even narcotics – are told with a visceral intensity that draws the reader into his world. Lucci has a unique ability to capture the essence of his experiences, whether they’re set in the rustic Italian countryside, the bustling streets of Chicago, the oppressive atmosphere of southeastern Washington, or the bleakness of the Oregon coast.

What makes “Loving & Leaving” stand out is Lucci’s portrayal of himself as both the hero and anti-hero of his story. His journey is riddled with contradictions and conflicts, making him a complex and relatable character. The book is a rollercoaster of emotions, from moments of deep gratefulness to intense regret. Lucci’s writing style is engaging, his prose bleeding with emotion, making it feel as though every word is a piece of his soul laid bare on the page.

In essence, “Loving & Leaving” is not just a memoir; it’s an exploration of the human condition. Lucci’s ability to share his life lessons and mistakes in such a raw and honest manner is both brave and commendable. This book is a compelling read, sure to evoke a range of emotions in its readers. Whether you end up rooting for Lucci or not, one thing is certain – his story will leave an indelible mark on your heart.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads


Amazon


I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
December 2023
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Spotlight: Harnessing Light by S.B. Goncarova

    Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author S.B. Goncarova’s novel Harnessing Light. Presenting… Harnessing Light by S.B. Goncarova Book Name: Harnessing Light Author: S.B. Goncarova Series: Publisher: Clay Grouse Press Genre: Poetry, women’s fiction, non-binary love…

  • Book Review: Nameless Book: Everyone Has A Story by Deepthi Ayyagari

    Author: Deepthi Ayyagari Release Date: 30th October 2018 Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Short Story Collection Series: Edition: E-book Pages: 76 Publisher: WordBuzz Publishing Blurb: Everyone has a story. These are stories about people like you and me, about relationships, love…

  • Book Review: Oddity Of The Magicus Eye: Mokuura (Part #2) by Patrick Malum

    Author: Patrick Malum Release Date: 18th October 2019 Genre: Science-Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult, Space Fantasy, Serials, Series: Oddity Of The Magicus Eye (Part #2) Edition: E-book Pages: 96 Publisher:  Blurb: The epic space fantasy serial continues! Following the…

  • Book Review: Brinda -The Extraordinary Story of An Indian Girl (Femme Fatale) by Deepthi Ayyagari

    Author: Deepthi Ayyagari Release Date: 20th May 2019 Genre: Women Fiction, Contemporary Fiction Series: Edition: E-book Pages: 144 Publisher:  Blurb: ‘Brinda’ will draw you in bit-by-bit to experience an extraordinary story; for there will always be secret-lives we…

  • Book Review: As One, Together, Forever! by Deepthi Ayyagari

    Author: Deepthi Ayyagari Release Date: 16th June 2019 Genre: Romance, Poetry, Flash Fiction Series: Edition: E-book Pages: 66 Publisher: WordBuzz Publishing Blurb: True love’s forever. There is joy in love. There is hope in love. There is everything that love…