The El

A stirring historic novel set in Depression-era Brooklyn, "The El" weaves an unforgettable family saga. In the shadow of the elevated train (called "The El," for short), a loud, lusty Italian-American clan resides: Poppa, the kindly patriarch; Bridget, his loving wife and mother of their six grown children; Rosanna, their eldest, who is married to Tony, an evil, dangerous drunk; Kewpie, their nubile teenage daughter and Tiger, their scrappy ten-year old son. A stark drama quickly unfolds as a terrible secret is revealed. Told through the eyes of a quirky, colorful array of characters, the Paradisos struggle through seasons of joy, loss and desire, and experience simple delights. Here, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. It is a place of unconditional and unrequited love, where the unimaginable is indeed possible and the whims of a violent alcoholic threaten to destroy the idyllic applecart of the family’s existence. "The El" is simultaneously homey and horrific, innocent and erotic, magical and shocking. It is a complicated mosaic of light and dark, full of savory flavors and vivid, memorable images. If Pete Hamill and Joyce Carol Oates could have a literary lovechild together, it would be "The El"...with a bit of "50 Shades of Grey" thrown in for good measure.

A stirring historic novel set in Depression-era Brooklyn, "The El" weaves an unforgettable family saga. In the shadow of the elevated train (called "The El," for short), a loud, lusty Italian-American clan resides: Poppa, the kindly patriarch; Bridget, his loving wife and mother of their six grown children; Rosanna, their eldest, who is married to Tony, an evil, dangerous drunk; Kewpie, their nubile teenage daughter and Tiger, their scrappy ten-year old son. A stark drama quickly unfolds as a terrible secret is revealed. Told through the eyes of a quirky, colorful array of characters, the Paradisos struggle through seasons of joy, loss and desire, and experience simple delights. Here, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. It is a place of unconditional and unrequited love, where the unimaginable is indeed possible and the whims of a violent alcoholic threaten to destroy the idyllic applecart of the family’s existence. "The El" is simultaneously homey and horrific, innocent and erotic, magical and shocking. It is a complicated mosaic of light and dark, full of savory flavors and vivid, memorable images. If Pete Hamill and Joyce Carol Oates could have a literary lovechild together, it would be "The El"...with a bit of "50 Shades of Grey" thrown in for good measure.

Catherine Gigante-Brown has been a freelance writer of fiction, nonfiction and poetry for more than 30 years, since the ripe young age of fifteen. Her works have appeared in a variety of publications, including "Time Out New York", "Essence", "Seventeen" and "The Italian Journal of Wine and Food". Along with Robert "The Harrad Experiment" Rimmer, she co-wrote two biographies for Prometheus Books (Mistress Jacqueline's "Whips & Kisses" and Jerry Butler's "Raw Talent"). Her short stories appear in several fiction anthologies and her essay, "When I was Young," was included in Penguin Books' "Vietnam Voices". A number of her screenplays have been produced by small, independent companies. Her essay "Autumn of 9/11" was awarded first prize in The Brooklyn Public Library’s 2004 “My Brooklyn” contest. Her work, "Weekender", was included in the Rosendale Theatre Collective’s first annual Short Play Festival. Gigante-Brown was born and bred in Brooklyn, New York, where she still lives with her husband and son. "The El" is her first published novel.