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Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Silent Sounds by Anthony P. Mauro Sr. is a nostalgic, coming-of-age novel set in the summer of 1960 in the fictional coastal town of Manhassett Beach. Told primarily through the eyes of six-year-old Westin “Wes” Marino, the story captures the quiet magic of childhood curiosity, neighborhood friendships, and the daily rhythms of small-town life. From the first scene, where Wes struggles to open the creaky kitchen door, Mauro sets the tone with vivid sensory detail and emotional clarity. Wes’s world is tactile and alive, shaped by the scent of rose bushes, the hum of insects, and the thrill of riding a rusty bicycle on cracked sidewalks. The novel excels at portraying the innocent awe and emotional honesty of a child’s perspective. Whether pulling beetles from flower petals, climbing trees, or navigating schoolyard tensions, Wes’s experiences reflect a deeper sense of wonder and discovery.
Places like the Corner Store and familiar landmarks, such as the sweet gum tree or Dean’s furnace-warmed kitchen, ground the reader in a specific time and place. Anthony P. Mauro Sr. also introduces a range of community members—coaches, clerks, and classmates—each portrayed with personality. Dialogue is used sparingly yet effectively, while the internal monologue of the young protagonist offers quiet reflections on life, loss, and connection. Though the story is fiction, the tone feels memoir-like, suggesting that many scenes are drawn from the author’s personal recollections or emotional truths. Silent Sounds is a gentle, heartfelt story that honors the subtleties of childhood and the powerful impressions left by simple moments. Ideal for readers who enjoy reflective fiction that celebrates community, family, and the unspoken bonds that shape us, this novel is a tribute to a bygone era and a meditation on the enduring beauty of everyday life.
