by Paul Argentini

If James Joyce’s Ulysses is considered the greatest unread novel of the 20^th Century, then it is just as likely as not Paul Argentini’s A Matter Of Love In Da Bronx will become the greatest unread novel of the 21^st Century. -- Zeilvieg P. Battiscu, The LDN Literary Review

A Matter Of Love In Da Bronx is a 1950’s love story that almost didn’t happen. Based on an actual love affair diary to which the author was privy, the story and its maddeningly frustrating theme was meticulously recorded as event by event were relayed. It was incredible that just a few short years after the end of World War II such an atavistic, feudal family system existed. The lovers’ wishes and wants were denied to them at every single turn, by family, friends, society, circumstances, and just rotten luck.

Couples at that time were just as hungry to satisfy the intense, volatile yearnings of love as they are today. Especially without an automobile—which well could have sufficed for private encounters—there was no such thing as running to a motel or hiking off to a hotel. There were no cell phones to arrange a rendezvous, and even if they could freedom was at a premium under the oppressive regime of venal, ignorant, self-centered, rigid controlling parents. The best Sam and Mary found they could do was use stolen moments for fleeting bliss in darkened doorways.

This is a paen to lovers past, present, future, wheresoever they be who combat the cruel frustration of combustible emotions using only tender hearts and the hope of a pain-free moment of bliss as in this unequalled literary truth.