READ MY REVIEW

Cover: Evocative. I’m not fond of brown as a rule, but here it fits the theme.

Covering recent historical events is not an easy feat. Both authors and readers might be emotionally biased about it, and that could affect the entire experience—that’s one reason why I’m careful when selecting such stories. With Day of Days, Napolitano proves to be skilled enough to avoid falling into traps: his novel is packed with emotion, but he still manages to lay the facts down without passing judgment.

It is what it is, he says. This happened, this is what went on. Read it and see for yourself.

The visceral writing means that Napolitano doesn’t pull any punches, from start to finish. I knew what was going to happen as I read on, and even so, I found myself rooting for the firemen, for all the people trapped in the Towers. I hoped against hope and reason they’d make it, somehow. Such a reaction is a testament to Napolitano’s ability to pull in the reader—bravo!

Characters-wise, the cast is quite big, with the POV shifting between the various MCs. Coletti and Ellie are the ones that stand out the most, while I’m not so impressed with others: they sound a bit too alike in places.

The problem I have with Day of Days, however, is of the technical kind. Characters are always introduced or talked about following the same scheme (age, physical description, epithets), and that’s something that kills the flow. Even if an author doesn’t subscribe to my less is more, keep relevant philosophy—fair enough—the overuse of descriptions just won’t do.

I’m also puzzled by the habit of referring to characters by their full name throughout the book. Again, it’s a matter of flow: say, after introducing Phil Coletti for the first time, using either his first or his last name would be enough from then on.

3.5 stars on GR.

An unflinching look at this devastating day, September 11, 2001, and the brave men and women first responders, fire fighters who did their best to battle this terrorist attack. An emotional and poignant work, again strengthening the bonds of those who defend us. Well written.

This book is an excellent retelling of the events that took place on 9/11 from the perspectives of firefighters. FDNY workers of several different levels and years of training are described throughout this book, giving readers an opportunity to see both day to day life as a fire fighter and also how different groups of fire fighters responded to different events on 9/11 including both towers and other fires/emergencies near by. The first 3/4 of the novel shares the day to day lives of several fire fighters from different houses, including a captain, a brand new “probie” fire fighter in training and others in between. We learn about their families, love interests and lives both on and off the job. When they all come together in the end of the story you have a good backstory for each character and it makes their uncertain fates even more compelling. At times I felt a bit frustrated that the author took so long to finally get to September 11th, but I also feel the lead up was important. It also made things so much more exciting when it finally happened! My only caution is that if you are easily confused by multiple character stories, it can be a bit challenging to keep all of these characters (many with similar Italian names as well as nicknames and alternating between first and last names as one would expect in a fire house). I read this on a kindle so maybe it would be easier to flip back and forth in a paper book, but I managed to follow along for the most part. A list of characters at the front of a book might have been helpful for readers like me who easily forget which character is which! Day of Days is an excellent read and I’m so thankful to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy to read!

Loved this book from start to finish. The author does an excellent job taking the reader into the life of a firefighter. I became very attached to the characters and their stories. I knew the book centered on the 9/11 terrorist attacks on NYC but I didn’t expect to feel such an emotional connection to the event and the characters. I truly felt their pain and I truly felt their loyalty to each other and to their calling. To call these men and women heroes is an understatement.

The fact that all proceeds from the book will go to the 911 Tribute Museum and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation puts this book at the top of my Christmas gift giving list. The book is that good and the charitable aspect is a bonus.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Special thanks to the author, not only for his giving spirit, but also for his dedication and bravery in being a volunteer firefighter. Much respect and eternal gratitude to him and all the men and women like him.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a unique perspective and very well done. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes history.