SPIKE

This stand-alone sequel to Freda’s (A Police Action, 2017, etc.) 2016 debut novel, Goodbye, Rudy Kazoody, returns to his carefully crafted vision of the Bronx in the 1960s.

Anthony has almost entirely turned his life around since the days he was a street kid known as “Spike” trying to make a name for himself in the boxing ring. He achieved the rank of captain in the Army while serving in Vietnam, and now he’s attending New York University’s law school. He sees a bright future for himself even as he wrestles with traumatic memories of the war. When he meets Angel, a Juilliard music student, at an anti-war rally, he’s immediately smitten with her. For Angel, matters are a bit more complicated; she’s literally swept off her feet when Anthony saves her from the police breaking up the protest, but his living situation—a crowded, dirty, bohemian loft—and his pugilistic tendencies give her pause. The prose is solid throughout but really comes alive when dealing with the two main characters’ private thoughts and feelings. Their strong opinions, stubborn streaks, and hidden vulnerabilities make them both a joy to read about. Their love story becomes even more tumultuous when an accidental death threatens to implicate Anthony, and the two flee the country for his native Italy. While their love blossoms, it’s never without conflicts; Anthony’s tendency toward casual flings clashes with Angel’s desire for commitment, and her career in music doesn’t always fit with his in politics. Freda also contrasts the purity of the characters’ dreams and the actions necessary to achieve them. The novel does tread some familiar ground as it tackles the difficulties of relationships; also, New York–set redemption stories are certainly nothing new, although this one does take a few unexpected turns. Still, the combination of recognizable tropes remains deft and heartfelt.

A quietly complex story of love in the midst of chaos.