Praise
“A deeply moving and honest story about grief, survival, and finding a way forward.”
Altamura’s debut is honest and relatable, ideal for readers drawn to character-driven, emotionally layered stories.
“An emotionally compelling exploration of love, regret, betrayals, grief, and human resilience."
Seven Years in Chicago: Part I – Survival is a character-driven literary novel that examines the psychological aftermath of loss and the quiet strength required to endure.
— IndieReader ⭐ 4.5 Rating | IR Approved
“Lived-in, raw, and painfully human.”
⭐ Reedsy Discovery – 4-Star Review
I just loved this book 📕 there are so many emotions flowing through this amazing book the Author really dug deep and captured the mind, heart n soul of his characters. The story will grap you from the beginning and you my friend will go on this emotional ride with them. I highly recommend this book and I appreciate the opportunity to read this amazing book I won on Goodreads!
This was a powerful and emotional read that really stayed with me. Seven Years in Chicago: Part I: Survival dives deep into grief and the long, complicated process of rebuilding after loss, and I appreciated how honest and unfiltered Jack’s journey felt. It’s not a quick or easy story—but that’s what makes it so impactful.
What I really liked was the emotional realism. Jack’s struggles with loss, addiction, and relationships felt raw and believable, and the story doesn’t try to tie everything up neatly. I also found the backdrop of life after 9/11 especially moving—it adds another layer of weight and context that makes his journey even more meaningful.
Overall, this is a deeply reflective, character-driven story about resilience and finding your way forward when life takes an unexpected turn. It’s a heavier read, but one that feels important and very real.