The Sunday Macaroni Club: A Novel

By Steve López

Book Overview

Assistant District Attorney Lisa Savitch has a problem. She's been assigned to nail the Sunday Macaroni Club - four remnants of the old political machine led by Augie Sangiamino, former U.S. Senator, convicted felon, and now a political consultant. These guys aren't even worth a staple, much less a nail. As for Augie, it's like he says at grace on Sunday: We thank you, Lord, for this wonderful macaroni dinner. But we could use a little help, to tell you the truth, in this campaign. His two candidates are way behind in the polls, and without a miracle, divine or otherwise, there doesn't seem to be any way to reverse the trend. Miracles, of course, cost money. Whitney Pritchard III also has a problem - his oil company is belching clouds of yellow smoke, and paying all those fines hasn't done him much good. What he needs are some friends in high, or even not so high, places. Then there's Mike Muldoon, the ex-FBI agent who nailed Augie once and would be happy to do it again. He doesn't really have a problem - unless you count the fact that he can't stop thinking about Lisa Savitch. It's a city where macaroni isn't necessarily macaroni, bottom-feeders can rise to the top, and has-beens don't always know they've been had - Philadelphia's own glorious carnival of greed, ambition, and self-preservation.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451197232
• ISBN13: 9780451197238
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Accuracy Apparent

Steve Lopez describes Philadelphia as only a true Phialdelphian can. From cheesesteak to corrupt police, he uses stereotypes that live and breath in the city and shows us they can be true.

The usual love/hate Philadelphia story

Any real Philadelphian knows all about the love/hate relationship we tend to have with this, our fair city. Steve Lopez just happens to consolidate it into one very charming anecdote. This is one of my favorite books, and I have given a copy to everyone from my husband to my political science professor and we all love it. I miss Steve Lopez's crazy and engaging columns, even though I was a kid when he left Philly, because my parents always had one posted on the refrigerator door and they always inspired me to write. Lopez's knowledge of Philadelphia shines through in this book, and dare I say, I think he misses us, even with our perpetually bad sports teams and insatianble thirst for scandal and infamously dirty politicians...and that's the earmark of a TRUE Philadelphian. To see the sweet, sticky marmalade behind the madness.

A Rare, Great Book

This is one of those books that actually makes you feel for the characters. It revolves around a small-time politician and his devoted assistant/henchman. The tone it's written in, and the blend of humor and pathos will make is a very special experience for anyone who reads it. I read it three years ago and still remember scenes and lines in it. I wish Steve Lopez would write more books.

a well written book

this book about an attorney living in philadelphia and working on a case about a an oil caompany thats been polluting the city.this book manages to keep you interested from page one and the story keeps you laughing as well.the ending will satisfy you as well.highly recommended.

The congressional committees haven't a clue!!!

Since I work in Philadelphia, it was great to get Steve's "insights" into Philly politics. His terrific cast of characters seem to be right out of stories we read about our local mob and politicos--not a surprise, since Steve did some great writing for the "Philadelphia Inquirer". I loaned my copy to a friend who wondered why the cogressional committees couldn't figure out the campaign financing "irregularities." "The Sunday Macaroni Club" should be required reading for the committee members