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51 pages 1 hour read

All Souls: A Family Story From Southie

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1999

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Book Brief

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Michael Patrick MacDonald

All Souls

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

296

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Boston, Massachusetts • 1970s-1980s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald is a memoir recounting his upbringing in South Boston's Old Colony neighborhood. As an anti-violence activist giving a tour to a reporter, Michael reflects on his family's struggles with poverty, crime, and loss amid a backdrop of racism, xenophobia, and police corruption. The narrative emphasizes the close-knit yet tumultuous community of Southie, detailing significant events such as his brother Davey's schizophrenia, Kevin and Frankie's tragic deaths, and Stevie's wrongful conviction. Michael ultimately turns to activism, holding vigils for Southie's lost youth and seeking peace amid ongoing tragedies. The book explores themes of mental health, violence, and social justice.

Melancholic

Gritty

Challenging

Emotional

Dark

Reviews & Readership

4.2

15,055 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald offers raw and affecting storytelling, capturing the struggles and resilience of a South Boston family. Reviews consistently highlight its emotional depth and vivid portrayal of poverty and violence. However, some critique the narrative for its occasional lack of cohesiveness. Overall, it's a compelling, though intense, memoir.

Who should read this

Who Should Read All Souls?

Readers who enjoy All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald are often captivated by gritty, true-life narratives set in urban landscapes. Similar to those who appreciate Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes or Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle, they seek powerful memoirs that explore themes of poverty, resilience, and family dynamics.

4.2

15,055 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

296

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Boston, Massachusetts • 1970s-1980s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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