Do You Believe in Magic?: Anthology Of Stories From The North End

Reviews of Do You Believe in Magic?

If you live long enough, the world you know, and love will die before you do. Such is the theme of Do You Believe in Magic? An Anthology of Stories from The North End, edited by Dom Capossela and published by him with Victor Passacantilli. Both gentlemen have deep roots in the neighborhood and owned successful restaurants there for decades.

Mr. Capossela brings together an ensemble of writers from Boston’s historic North End who came of age there between 1950 to 1970. Together they create a love letter from now to then and to that place in collection of stories, vignettes, character profiles, poems, and photos all of which give us a feel for their experiences with such affection made all the more poignant as the North End as they knew it disappears.

This is not a scholarly work, but it is rendered with such innocence and sincerity that it is startling in its authenticity. Perhaps without Mr. Capossela intending it to be so, “Do You Believe in Magic” may prove to be an important piece of public history as it not only gives personal accounts of life in the North End, but also places that life in the context of a generation struggling to assimilate to an America that neither understands them nor welcomes them.

While this book speaks directly to Boston and the North End it also speaks to the same generation of Italian- Americans from that generation, myself included, who grew up in shadow of our Italian ancestry, and who were slowing being Americanized as if roasted over a low flame. It may be an idealized account and it may have benefitted from more female voices, these are venial sins of omission that are in no way mortal. The book may also speak to immigrants from elsewhere who live in tight knit communities, from large families in small quarters who love food, their faith and their new country and are striving to succeed while faced with oppression and bigotry. This book is like new wine. It will only improve with age.

My family lived in the historic North End of Boston for over 90 years. The close knit, vibrant Italian American family culture in an area with as many as 30,000 people in less than 3/4 of a square mile (!) made for a special experience for those of us growing up during the socially dynamic 1950's-1970's. Though there have been many scholarly books and articles written about this historic area, the stories of what life was like then have rarely been told exclusively through the voices of those living there. "Do You Beiieve in Magic?" is a refreshing anthology of stories, vignettes, observations and reflections of real life from 30 residents and former residents in their own words. The lifelong NE resident and editor, Dom Capossela, guides the reader through the cultural history of that era and the part that Italian Americans played, including protecting the area from destructive urban renewal. Complete with photos, the individual stories are poignant, honest, funny, reflective, nostalgic and serious. Great book to read in one sitting or read some excerpts, put it down and pick it up again, especially accompanied by little Vin Santo or Anisette to sip! You will almost be able to smell the Italian gravy (tomato sauce to non North Enders) or visualize the pastry at a Sunday dinner or at one of the many religious festivals. Anyone who has ever visited the North End will get a unique perspective about the pride that North Enders have about this neighborhood that some call magical, and will have an enjoyable read.