The Tender Bar

This memoir is a captivating portrait of a boy's journey to manhood, shaped by the men he meets at a local bar. With his radio disc jockey father absent, the young protagonist seeks out figures of masculinity and identity in the patrons around him. From cops to poets, he finds camaraderie and guidance in a "fatherhood-by-committee." Conflicted between his mother's example and the allure of the bar, the protagonist turns to the latter as a refuge from life's hardships, culminating in a poignant coming-of-age story. A suspenseful, funny, and ultimately heart-wrenching read that explores themes of identity, family, and belonging.