Patrick's Corner

By Sean Patrick

Book Overview

You've heard of Murphy's Law and even the
Peter Principle, but here's a new one: Patrick's Law. Patrick's Law, which
deserves at least equal space in the index of life, states that in large
families, the youngest gets the shortest end of the stick.
The youngest has certain traits that can last to adulthood: His
clothing will mark him and his position in the family strata. His socks will
droop because of a lack of elasticity brought on by age and the larger ankles
of his brothers. The youngest will generally never hold an original opinion for
fear of being informed he is a klutz by at least one of his brothers. He will
always be referred to as So-and-So's little brother and will NEVER (a) get the
Sunday funnies first, (b) go anywhere without telling at least two persons
where he is going, or (c) be able to read a comic while seated on the family's
only commode.
Patrick's Corner is a collection of stories about growing up
after World War II in a world where family life, neighborhood interdependence,
and nurturing environments were the norm. The author describes how one family's
steadfast devotion to each other and their foundation of moral values helped
them surmount the challenges of poverty.
Told with the sensitivity of the baby of the family, this
nostalgic reminiscence is full of warmth, love, growing pains, and the
struggles for survival. The author writes about his comin' up as
the youngest of six sons in an Irish Catholic family headed by a widowed
mother. Like most brothers, the Patrick boys fought, but more often they were
friends who talked, laughed, and shared their growing pains with each other.

Even if you have never had to wear hand-me-down clothes or been referred to
as So-and-So's little brother or sister, these stories are sure to touch your
heart.
Sean Patrick, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, lives in Fayetteville, North
Carolina, where he teaches creative writing at Fayetteville Technical Community
College. He has operated two teen group homes, served as an administrator of a
religious education program at his church, and, along with his wife, has given
lectures on parenting skills. He has written for Catholic Digest and has
also been published in The Liguorian.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0882898787
• ISBN13: 9780882898780
• Release Date: February 1992
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Gives you most, happy tears

What a wonderful read! I've been a fan of Sean Patrick for years and to have his great stories in one book is too good to pass up! You feel like you really know Sean and all the residents of Patrick's Corner! It takes you to a by gone era and leaves you with a warm feeling. Curl up with a blanket and a cup of tea and get lost in the world of Patrick's Corner.

one of our favorite authors

Have read his short stories about real life people and experiences for many years. Always delightful.

Easy to Pick Up; Hard to put down

I can count on one hand the titles of the books I have been unable to put down, and this is one of them. I went in search of more when I read Sean Patrick's column in Catholic Digest and found short, but full, chapters in the life of a true boy - basically faithful to his religous upbringing, but full of mischevious adventures. It reminds me of Roald Dahl's book, "Boy" - another I couldn't put down.

Heartwarming nostalgic stories.

This book is a treasury of wonderful stories that will make you laugh and cry and wish that you had known this family personally. I am only sorry that I finished the book so quickly. I hope that Mr. Patrick will soon be compiling another book from his Catholic Digest columns. READ IT!

A book that will touch you heart.

This book will touch your heart. This was my go to lunch alone book. I had enjoyed Sean Patrick's column in Catholic Digest. So I went looking to find anything else that was written by him. It's not Bible thumping but it is inspiring. Makes you wish you grew up in a big family. Each chapter is a story of it's own. 6 Irish brothers growing up with their widowed mother. It will remind you of your own youth, sibling love. READ THIS BOOK!!