Book Review: On The Rocks by Maria C Palmer

The book On the Rocks tells the story of the founding and wild success of the restaurant The Primadonna, a shining light of cuisine within the rough-and-tumble Pittsburgh neighborhood of McKees Rocks. It is written by Maria C Palmer (with help from friend Ruthie Robbins) but told in the voice of Maria's father Joseph Costanzo Jr.

Halfway through the book, everything is working out - the restaurant moved on from only attracting a local bar crowd to being recognized for its food, and is starting to attract customers from all over the area. Everything is on the way up. For some reason I don't remember, I chose that moment to check the "about the author" blurb on the back of the book. Among other things, I noticed that Maria C Palmer does work for Get on the Bus, a nonprofit that helps reunite children with incarcerated parents.

Uh oh.

Yes, On the Rocks is the story of a massive success, a restaurant in a shabby neighborhood that nobody (except Joseph Costanzo Jr) thought could make it that turned into a regional behemoth. But it is also an Icarus story, as Joseph flies too close to the sun and loses his wings.

The writing style - Maria writing as if Joseph is telling the story - could be schmaltzy or could be used to paper over shortcomings, but really does work. You really see Joseph as a real person, living his dream while working 18 hour days, rooted in selling his restaurant while barely there for his family.

Over all, a fascinating read - eight out of ten hotdogs.