Me and Five Guys

By: Trish Doolan

Narrated by: Trish Doolan

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Me and Five Guys is a rough-and-tumble story, where love is messy, and the characters frequently work things out by wrestling or punching or smashing something to pieces. But ultimately, each family member knows that they are a part of this organic unit, for better or worse, and each embraces it in his or her own way.

“Everyone’s life touches someone else’s and changes it forever. I knew it was only a matter of time before I, too, would be part of the earth. I’d always thought cemeteries were creepy. That day, I found them comforting, beautiful, meaningful. I took all the energy of those fabulous souls and I let it rise through my shoes. The energy which lived in the soil traveled up the veins of my legs, pumping a new warrior energy into my being.”

Me and Five Guys, a vivid, deeply personal novel by award-winning screenwriter Trish Doolan. Me and Five Guys is a unique coming-of-age story set in Queens, New York, in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. Emotionally raw and confessional in the tradition of memorable novels such as The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Me and Five Guys also has its own brand of one-of-a-kind humor. Like Jim Sheridan’s acclaimed movie, In America, Me and Five Guys tells the story of a first-generation immigrant family’s life in New York, relating both the good and the bad events with bold, straightforward charm.

The listeners first meets Frankie, the winsome narrator, in the birth canal on the day JFK is shot. Her Irish father is in the bar, drinking away his sorrow at the president’s murder. Her Italian mother, who is delighted to finally have a daughter, chooses an Italian name for her, Francesca. But Francesca’s four rowdy older brothers soon adopt the nickname Frankie, as they look out for her in their own boyish way—even though sometimes their brand of childcare results in her getting a couple of teeth knocked out or a split lip.

We follow Frankie and her four older brothers as they deal with their father’s repeated drunken bouts of temper and many other tragedies that fate sends their way. But no matter what happens to them, they stick together through thick and thin. They play and laugh together; they fight together; they betray, wound, and mistreat one another; they miscommunicate or don’t communicate at all. It’s a testament to Trish’s talent that she is able to be so articulate about characters who are often unable to articulate their true feelings to each other. Frankie’s father tells his wife’s pillow how much he loves her but is unable to say it to the woman herself. Frankie’s brother never really talks about his sexuality. And Frankie herself hides a dark secret from her family for years.

This is a rough-and-tumble story, where love is messy, and the characters frequently work things out by wrestling or punching or smashing something to pieces. But ultimately, each family member knows that they are a part of this organic unit, for better or worse, and each embraces it in his or her own way. Love triumphs and healing takes place in a well-earned, truly happy ending. The listener will cheer Frankie on, every step of the way.

©2022 Trish Doolan (P)2022 Trish Doolan

A Must Read

In the first five minutes of me listening to this book, I immediately began to cry. I related so much to the story, the feelings, and thoughts that were written in this story. The author has such a unique way of writing that makes you connect to these characters as if they are your personal family or friends. I felt so seen listening to this book. I loved how honest and real this book was, and how it makes one simply FEEL. Get this book, you won’t be disappointed.

Fantastic read or listen

Great story
A taste of queens growing up
And a taste of life growing up

Extraordinary and Special - highly recommended story and story telling

This book is a highly recommended treat to experience. There are few words to describe Doolan’s exquisite story writing and narration skill! Her “on fire” personality and acting talent shine through her words. I felt the love, hurt, humor, strength, camaraderie, family sorrows and triumphs. I didn’t want it to end!
I’d rate a universe of stars ⭐️ Special and extraordinary !

Moved to tears….

I finished this book crying, crying in such a specific way because the words had touched me so deeply in something that’s so present and alive for me in my life right now. I felt like I underwent my own healing and transformation as, Francesca did too.

There were so many parts of the story that spoke to me so directly, so many themes and situations that I could relate to in different areas and times of my life. What I realized is that no matter what I am going through in life, this story has the power to help me through any of it because it not only brings up so many real situations but also connects deeply with the truth and heart felt reality in them too.

Then there was the humor! My goodness! I laughed, and found myself repeating certain phrases, thinking to myself ‘oh that’s good, I want to remember that one’. Never has a book brought me through so many emotions so smoothly.

Trish Doolan is not only a skillful writer but a deeply talented and heart-full story teller, a gift to all of us! I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to feel, heal and open their hearts!

Phenomenal narration of a kick-@$$ book!!

I bought and read this book myself and was so blown away by it that it is the only physical book I've read in a few years, and I started and finished it in three sittings (but could easily have devoured it in one), it was so good. I had long ago attended one of Trish Doolan's readings of one of her other books, (which lead to me watching one of her movies, April's Shower I think it's called) and so as I was reading Me and Five Guys I was hearing her very distinct voice. When I got the notification that the novel was released as an audiobook, I immediately thought only Ms.Doolan herself could possibly do this justice because that's how I "listened" to it in my head the first time. I was both excited and nervous when I saw it actually was her narrating it, and from the very first word, I was drawn back into Frankie's world. This time around, I savored the telling of her story because I only listened to it in my car when I was by myself, really only 15 minutes here and there. I had read through her words so quickly, I failed to register the true depth of emotion behind them that could only have been conveyed by Trish Doolan reading them herself. I've listened to many, many audiobook performances and none of those (quite talented) narrators could even have come close to the raw emotion of the Cuban, and Sean, and the third passing, and omg, the ending?? Can you say ugly crying? I had to pull over in a parking lot to listen to the rest of that chapter!! Omg. Just... omg. I cannot wait for more from Trish Doolan. She makes me excited to read again. I hope she has more to tell!!