Son of the Mob

When Vince Luka tells folks his father is in the vending machine business, he's not talking soda cans. Luka Senior is a kingpin of the Mob. Max Casella shoots Korman's words out as fast as a machine gun, and the speed is dead-on for this breezy, dark comedy. He gives Vince the right balance of frustration and heart as the high schooler tries explaining to Dad that his future is uncertain but one thing is "fuh shore--I'm not goin' inta da bizness." Vince may not want any part of it, but things get, well, complicated. SON OF THE MOB is like "The Sopranos" for a slightly younger audience. Casella has worked on the hit show, and he brings his talent for portraying mobsters to this fine recording of Korman's latest teen title. M.M.O. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2003 YALSA Selection (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

May 27, 2009
I featured this Romeo and Juliet story in my list of favorite romances a few months back. Vince Luca is the son of the head of a local "vending machine" empire who falls for the daughter of the FBI agent determined to bring his father to justice. Hilarity ensues. Listen Up: This recording is the perfect marriage of narrator and text. Casella may not be a mobster, but he played one on The Sopranos. However, you may remember him better as Vinnie, Doogie's wisecracking sidekick on Doogie Howser, M.D.-Angelina Benedetti, King Cty. Lib. Syst., WA

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.