Title: A song for Mary
First published: 1999
Description: Dennis Smith mixes humor in the face of adversity with moving insight as he tells what it was like to be young, Irish, Catholic and poor. It is a tale in which the presence of Dennis's courageous mother, Mary, is never far off, and the mystery of what has happened to Dennis's father underlies all.

As Dennis ages from seven to twenty-five, we see him learn life's indelible lessons - how to dodge the slaps of crotchety nuns, wallop a punching bag, refuse to "take crap" from anyone, steal a longed-for kiss, and, finally, stare into death's face.
Subjects: American Novelists, Biography, Catholics, Childhood and youth, Fire fighters, Irish American families, Irish Americans, Social life and customs, Firefighters, Fire fighters, biography, New york (n.y.), biography, Authors, biography, Catholics, united states, New york (n.y.), social life and customs
Places: New York, New York (State), United States
People: Dennis Smith (1940-), Dennis Smith
Time periods: 20th century
LC classification: PS3569.M523 Z47 1999