Joe Polacco, a native of Brooklyn, has spent most of his life as a citizen of Missouri. He is Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry at the University of Missouri in Columbia where he lives with his wife Nancy Malugani-Polacco. After years of producing limericks and jokingly being called Poet Laureate of Biochemistry, he decided to write Vina, a more serious memoir upon the passing of his mother.
"Vina's light drew me to her family, friends and folks in the 'hood, their stories often humorous and always colorful. I wanted to sit with them at her table and devour her delicious food. Thanks for introducing us, Joe. " -Susan Crockenberg, Professor of Psychology Emerita, University of Vermont Joe Polacco put me across the table swapping stories about growing up, family and friends, the old neighborhood, and of course, parents. Joe's genuine and authentic storytelling completely drew me in. My mother used to say, especially when cooking, "Everyone is a little bit Italian." She was right; I could feel it coming out as I read. Many thanks, Joe, for letting us in on your memories. -Mark Holland, Professor and Emeritus Head of Biology, University of Salisbury Vina: A Brooklyn Memoirs is a gem, a big-hearted, funny, poignant valentine to one magnificent woman, the old days in Brooklyn and the old world in our hearts. Joe Polacco catches the voices of his family, and by the last chapter they are everyone's family and Brooklyn is everyone's neighborhood. And Vina? She's someone you'll never forget. Thank you, Joe -Mary Collins Barile, a granddaughter of Brooklyn, author and playwright Joe Polacco's expression of love for his mother Vina, and for his childhood Bensonhurst neighborhood, is "all good, tasty and sustaining." Particularly compelling are the often humorous neighborhood interactions that produced deep friendships across ethnic lines. These relationships sustained Vina during her life and have comforted those left behind. -Lori Younker, Author and President of the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild
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