Susan Keefe | Midwest Book Review June 2020 We are not defined by our race, or creed, but by the … [Read More...] about Book Review: We are not defined by our race, or creed, but by the choices we make.
A Novel By Michael Patrick Murphy
In the heart of Boston in the 1980’s—a city engulfed in turmoil and racial tensions, an unlikely friendship develops between two students at Cathedral High School. Patrick is an Irish-Catholic born leader. His friends follow him with blind allegiance. Nate is a young, disciplined, black athlete—focused on finding his way out of the neighborhood alive. The two young men find themselves on hectic school grounds, in a culture that shuns friendships like theirs.
Through a tragic turn of events, we see stereotypical statuses turned upside down. The contrasting characters display the power of individual choice and response to life’s circumstances. Though the corruption and racism of Patrick and Nate’s Boston culture posed an equal threat to both, their respective choices to pick themselves up, find their resolve, and get past their environment, caused them to rise above it all.
This is the story of a Boston friendship that crossed neighborhood lines, broke cultural boundaries, and propelled two adolescents to rethink the world around them. May we all be impacted by the education this eye-opening read has to offer!
This book should be on every secondary school's curriculum. A very true to life story about race, gangs and drugs. Most people would do well to read this book as it's a real eye opener. The author really brings the characters to life. Even better would be to see it made into a film.
'Michael Patrick Murphy in this enlightening memoir has treated his readers to a fascinating insider’s glimpse of Boston during his formative years. Reading this brings home the fact that it is the decisions we make when we are young which can shape our futures, for the better, or worse… Highly recommended!" [Read Full Review]
"It’s essential reading for anyone who seeks to understand how Boston’s busing crisis both created even more hatred and dissent, and, at the same time. helped countless individuals like Nate and Patrick form friendships and bonds that were previously unimaginable. This book will inform you and move you in profound ways." [Read Full Review]
Michael Patrick Murphy’s Neighborhood Lines adds important color and nuance to a different Michael Patrick’s classic, All Souls. In this re-telling of the story of 1990’s Boston, Murphy portrays the trying times with honesty and compassion. For those Bostonians—black and white—who lived through those times, the story of Nate and Patrick is a reminder; and for those who did not, it is a revelation. This compact book is filled to the brim with a humanity lacking in our sociological and political treatments of adolescence and race. A must read.
Neighborhood Lines is a must read. As a 29-year veteran of the Boston Police I have lived and worked in both of these neighborhoods. Murphy has taken on a hot button topic and has brought it to print; a book that every high school should have on it’s reading list. After reading it, children will rethink how they view people from different ethnic backgrounds. This book shows that true friendships are color blind.
Neighborhood Lines is a window into life in early 1990’s Boston. Murphy has accurately portrayed the boundaries and personalities that made the city distinct in its tribalism at the time. The story’s two main characters make for a compelling tale of adolescent rivalry, racial strife, and human frailty set upon the backdrop of a city that few would recognize today. Read this novel for a vivid trip to the old neighborhoods…and the subjects that remain topical today.
Michael Murphy’s book is a story right out of today’s newspaper—breaking stereotypes and opening our minds to the beautiful possibility of what can happen when we look beyond the surface.
Neighborhood Lines tells a gripping and engaging story of America’s struggles with race, culture and ethnicity. It’s fitting that Nate and Patrick, two kids from opposing communities in Boston, can share their experiences as they come of age in a world full of challenges. Neighborhood Lines is an easy read that will leave you wanting more.
I loved it. That period of time was swept under the carpet and has not been written about. It was such a weird, ugly period, but Murphy opens it up in a therapeutic way. And the timing is right!
A great story that resembles the trials and tribulations of the past, to teach great lessons to the youths of the future.
Reading Neighborhood Lines was an emotional roller coaster that captured me from beginning to end. Every element pulls you deeper into the character’s feelings of loyalty, happiness, prejudice, and anger. Murphy’s ability to balance character development with a detailed and captivating story line transported me back into South Boston in 1990.
Murphy tells a powerful story of two boys in the neighborhoods of Boston, at a time when the color of your skin was the boundary line. A MUST READ!
A superbly written tale of two men; each from a different side of the tracks. Murphy shines a light on a dark subject and causes one to rethink their view of the world around them...a world that may be as close as their own neighborhood.
I read this book in two days. I instantly cared about the two main characters, Patrick and Nate. Their stories show how we can be, both the light and the darkness in other people’s lives. There is no good guy bad guy. There is just a human response to our circumstances and environment. We can be both hero and villain, depending upon our choices. Although racism was all around Patrick and Nate, these unlikely friends got past the superficial and dug deep. They made a difference in each other’s lives. Their friendship changed them at their core!
Michael Patrick Murphy was born south of Boston and comes from a family with strong native ties to South Boston. He spent ten years getting an education on Morrissey Boulevard– his high school and college years lived out in and around the areas of Dorchester, South Boston, and Boston. Inspired by stories his grandmother told him of the city’s history, and of his great-grandfather, Boston City Councilor Michael Mahoney, Murphy originally wrote Neighborhood Lines while in college. Read Full Bio→
Neighborhood Lines paperback edition is available for purchase online here and downloadable on Amazon.com for Kindle.
Inquiries: mpmurphy@neighborhoodlines.com
Susan Keefe | Midwest Book Review June 2020 We are not defined by our race, or creed, but by the … [Read More...] about Book Review: We are not defined by our race, or creed, but by the choices we make.
John J. Kelly | Detroit Free Press Reviewed June 15, 2020 Growing up the son of the Deputy … [Read More...] about Book Review: Neighborhood Lines reviewed by John J. Kelly | Detroit Free Press
Trying to lighten up the rainy day and the darkness going on in this country !!!
:
I think she is reaching
For a copy of Neighborhood Lines !
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Nothing more attractive than an intellectual powerful cultured woman
Knowledge is power
#greatstory
#novelwriting
#powerfulwords
#impactful #book
#unity
#bostonhistory
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Repost from @classybadassery
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Saturday book club. ...
This is #America this morning 🙏!
Repost from @samanthamasonmarikaa
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Riots have broken out in Brooklyn Center over 20 y/o Duante Wright being shot and killed by police
A mess 🥴 ...
Nice seeing this 5 star review as there is 4 Chapters left of #thesequel #novel #2 ! Thank you Mia for #support and #motivation 🙏! #perfecttiming
with that boost .
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These two characters face the real world of #governmentcorruption #lawenforcementcorruption #opiodepidemic #crackcocaine #gang #violence #racialequality #policebrutality during Life in the mid 90’s In Boston !
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Not everything is #blackandwhite
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I wrote the first draft of this novel in 97! And I was definitely listening to #DMX those days ....
The twists and turns of this tale fit very well with the words of this #Damien song !
#ripdmx
“The rat the cat the dog how you going to see them if your living in the fog ! “ ...
Just listened to the @hotboxinpodcast
With @miketyson @sugarrayleonard
@thomashitmanhearns
@shanemosley
Only one missing was #marvinhagler ! #rip
What a great episode of the #legendsofboxing talking about the #classicfights
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Hitman vs sugar ray
Hagler vs hitman.
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Tyson “Humanity of us sophisticated savages “
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Careful now he going to Kick you teeth out with those gators
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#boxing What a sport - these two calling each other and talking loving on eachother nothing but #respect
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“Hagler Try to take you out in the first round he had that shotgun power
Marvin was ambidextrous power on both hands knows how to cut the ring off”
Tyson with a #preroll in hand the whole time 😂!
Check it out !
:
I was blessed to have the opportunity to hit the mits with one the great trainers of our time #goodypetronelli Haglers trainer ! #brockton #petronellisboxingclub
#reebok shoot - loved the mural in the back with Marvin !!
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Connecting Story - this tbt pic from 98
Couple years prior to this pic I was training with local trainer Jimmy Farrell who trained with Cus D’Amato back in the day (Tysons trainer) , Jimmy was preparing Burt Burgos to fight Robbie Simms (southpaw) , Haglers Brother , so because I was a southpaw I was getting in there twice week throwing down with Burt a heavy handed pro during his camp !!!
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My lifelong #UechiRyu friend #karateken @theshadow.777 Former Mass Karate State champ by my side in the last pic. Always by my side bro! ...
#black47
I caught this #greatfilm A masterpiece of art last night on @Netflix - what a creation and historical account of the #Irish genocide !!
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Set in #Ireland during the #greatfamine the film follows an Irish Ranger who has been fighting for the British Army abroad, as he abandons his post to reunite with his family. The title is taken from the most devastating year of the famine, 1847, which is referred to as "Black '47"
#HugoWeaving @thejamesfrecheville 🙏👊
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1 And 4 Irish would be dead. 1million died ,by starvation and disease up to 2 million fled this inhumane treatment and this is what inspired the Irish Independence movement . #IRA
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Those soldiers who fought for England returned to home to witness there people
Starving and dieing of the fever and eviction !
“Take the soup”
Souperism was a phenomenon of the Irish Great Famine. Protestant Bible societies set up schools in which starving children were fed, on the condition of receiving Protestant religious instruction at the same time. ... In the words of their peers, they "took the soup"
Would you take the soup?
Those who Ignore history
Are doomed to repeat it 🤔🤦♂️
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👆As a #historynut This is what I was saying in July of 2018 when I released neighborhoodlines a historical #novel - a recap of the late 80’s early 90’s .
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#bestlines
#How do you plead ?
Renounce the Roman Catholic Church
I was just your faithful mic.
We Did things for them that cannot be forgiven. And for what ?
“If I kill a man they call it murder, if they kill a man they call it war ?”
“This potato famine has simplified business considerably
There are those who look forward to the day that a Celtic Irishman in Ireland is a rare as red indian in Manhattan “
“ Don’t fight them go to America “
I couldn’t help but get a little emotional during this film. I am fortunate some of my ancestors survived and made it to #boston during these times ! But my #grandmother never let me forget this 🙏 ...
Love this bold statement from @charlesbarkley__ ......
More #leaders and all people need to #promoteunity 💪🏻💪🏾💪 💪🏿!!
Stop letting the #politics #conquer #divide and #controlthenarrative !
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#unitedwestand
#peaceandlove
#stopthedivision ...
Hope you had a great
Easter ! #springtimevibes
#fatherandson #laughs #eastercandy #blessed🙏 #moments ...
#happyeaster
#naturewalk #easterweekend #freshair
#familytime ...