It’s really two stories. One about the crew of psychos, and the other, the tragedy of Dominick Montiglio. Maybe things would have turned out better for him if he stayed away from Brooklyn and his Uncle Nino.
I find it hard to feel for Montiglio. He lied about being a Vietnam war hero, he was. a junkie, and then a rat. He is mentioned in the book stolen valor as a fraud regarding his service in the army.
