From the Streets of Chambers Lane

Chambers Lane Series, Book 1

By: Daniel Maldonado

Narrated by: Jack Nolan

From the Streets of Chambers Lane follows the intriguing story of the Mendoza family's unexpected loss of their youngest son and sibling Michael. Dealing with spiritual struggles and disillusionment as well as familial rivalries and quirky social interactions, the novella introduces the listener to each diverse family member's perspective of the tragic event while personalizing their cultural past and fears of the unknown future. These perspectives include the drug-using black sheep Jose Luis; the religious, fanatical matriarch Lucia; and the detached and nascent Daniel, as well as, a host of extended family members and friends.

©2017 Daniel Maldonado (P)2018 Daniel Maldonado

Talk about memory lane!!!

From the Streets of Chambers Lane-Book 1, by Daniel Maldonado and narrated by Jack Nolan. This fiction-Latin American book follows the lives of the Mendoza family and how the loss of the youngest son affects the entire family in different ways.
Sons, daughter, nieces, husbands and more of this big household take death in different ways.
Themes of rivalry, cultural differences, religion, black sheep in the family, infertility, suicide, present, past, and what the future will hold.
If you grew up in Puerto Rico this book is for you! Talk about a walk through memory lane and not only a walk but an enjoyable read. Everything from the food, the houses, the outfits, to the Ferragamo shoes!
This book 1, was released in 2018, I believe, but I am so ready to follow the Mendoza family after the funeral I cannot wait! Thank you to the author for the ARC for this book and trusting me with my honest review!

Story of a dysfunctional family

This is a sad story about a dysfunctional family. It started out slow, and with all the marriages, children, half siblings, aunts and uncles, it can be quite confusing - unless you pause the reading and make a chart. I eventually gave up on trying to keep track of who is who and tried to focus on the story.

Punch Packing Powerful!

Daniel Maldonado writes stories so real that I swear they could be ripped from life! His characters are so deep, so human, and so realistically flawed that it’s easy to have strong feelings for them. I’ve rooted for them, cheered them on, and rejoiced with them. I’ve been known to get mad at them, and in this one when they suffered a heartbreaking loss, I grieved for them and with them. From the Streets of Chambers Lane is a painful story about a horrific time in the life of the Mendoza family. Magnificently written, there is hurt, pain, and anger and resentment, all honesty expressed. The narration is done beautifully and in a non-sensationalized manner that lets the story just play out perfectly on an even pace. I have to say, this one affected me deeply. It’s many hours later and I’m can’t stop thinking about it. I was held transfixed, pulled deep into the Mendoza family dynamic and part of me is still there. Oddly enough, I saw parts of my own family within some of the characters and I’ll bet I won’t be alone in that. Mr. Maldonado, five stunning stars. This one will not be soon forgotten!

Family

With the death of Daniel's younger brother, we learn more about Daniel and his family.
The narrator has a good voice, but punctuated at the wrong spots

Something was missing

The beginning was great. I liked the sibling rivalry but then it turned into what felt like 50 family members talking about their feelings toward the loss of a family member. The narrator did a great job but the story was missing some sort of action.