Francis Connelly

...by Reason of Childhood Francis Connelly

'You should write a book!' Thus encouraged by his grandchildren, Francis J. Connelly sat down and did just that. The result is ... By Reason of Childhood, the candid story of his courageous journey through early life. Filled with rich detail about Brooklyn in the late 1930's and 40's, ... By Reason of Childhood is an engaging combination of memoir and genealogical detective story. Though he is being raised poor by an orphaned mother and a mostly absent alcoholic father, Frankie nonetheless tackles life with joy and tenacity. We share in his innocent adventures: Sneaking into Ebbets Field to see the Dodgers, hitchhiking through New England, spending a night in jail. We meet the unforgettable characters who populate his world, like Gene, the ghoulish hardware store owner, and Frankie Kane, the inscrutable but kindly father figure. As he endures house fires, bullies, armed robbery, summer camps from hell, and myriad illnesses, accidents, and injuries, Frankie somehow retains his sense of humor and essential goodness. Through experiences both poignant and comical, sifted mysteriously through the sieve of his family history, Frankie emerges as an anxious yet intrepid survivor. ... By Reason of Childhood is infused with a spirit of nostalgia, love, and, most of all, forgiveness.