F.U.! (Follow Up!) The Answer to Life Revisited

In The Answer to Life, West Virginian Nino Pino makes his way to awe-inspiring New York City to make it big in the competitive music industry. This smart and snarky sequel catches up with him later in life.

We can be honest here-Pino's getting older. He's been frozen-out by ageist agents. He'd like a robot- or somebody-to take out the garbage and turn out the light. Dismissively, "they" even shot down his idea for a gourmet, automated hamburger-meatball joint back home.

As Pino tackles the aging challenges, he reminisces about life as an Italian-American West Virginia Hillbilly. Poignant scenes are back-dropped with warm song lyrics that hang around in his and your head. Anyone who knows how a tune can evoke a nostalgic feeling will identify with Pino's passion for familiar music, especially American Popular Standards-"Stardust" anyone?

James A. Fragale employs a sharp, stream-of-consciousness style in this autobiographical novel. Don't let the laughs throw you. Jim Fragale details his serious struggles as well as triumphs, amid the uncertainty about his drinking. Pino can begrudge growing older, but he will have to choose to grow up.

More than fifty original coveted recipes handed down from Fragale's mother are included