Fascinating Authors

BOOK REVIEW
By
John H. Manhold

Saint Nick by Fred Tribuzzo

ISBN 9781608440146, Dog Ear Publishing, Paperback, 73 pages, $10.95

Fred Tribuzzo has written a short Christmas story utilizing the Dickens’s Christmas Carol method of the wayward protagonist being taken in hand by the ghosts of past, present, and future. The main differences in his presentation are: the character is one who faces situations that are updated to those of today, and his ghosts are famous American Indians.

Paul Castellucci is a totally disillusioned lawyer who became disgruntled early in his marriage, left his wife after birth of a son, longs for a bright, big busted woman to substitute, believes, among other things, that offshore drilling is bad, the war is ridiculous and a waste, and that, generally, people, and the world in which he lives, are worthless.

In a telephone conversation, his mother reminds him that he should come home for Christmas dinner to be with the family and the deserted son who is just returning from a tour of duty in the war zone. Following the conversation, he plops into bed, reviews, with regret, his early actions with his wife and son, and from his night stand, picks up his often read copy of Black Elk Speaks, the 1930’s biography of the famous Sioux shaman. He falls asleep, and the interesting plot begins.

He first encounters Black Elk, whose name, on conversion to Catholicism, was Nick. With him, he encounters a series of frightening experiences.  Next, he encounters two other, perhaps generally better known, Indian war chiefs – Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse. With these characters his whirlwind, and most frightening, tour, continues.

Ultimately, he awakens, attends the family dinner and has a heart to heart talk with his son.

Saint Nick is a quickly read, thought provoking, little book that should make a very nice stocking stuffer for the holiday season.