BLACK BLOOD F.G. Paci Ottawa, Oberon Press, 1991, 199pp, paper ISBN 0-88750-S64-2 (paper) $15.95, ISBN 0-88750-863-4 (cloth) $29.95. C1P Grades 12 and up/Ages 17 and up Reviewed by Janice Vaudry Volume 20 Number 3 1992 May Black Blood is the fourth novel by F.G. Pad in which he continues his theme of the experiences of the immigrant Italian commu­nity and conflict between generations. Set in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, it is the story of a young Italian, Marco Trecroci, and his circle of friends. Marco's father has been in Canada for a few years, working to bring over his family. When they do join him he is still preoccupied with his work and doesn't have time to spend with his young son. As a result, young Marco ventures out into the community. With his friends Rico, Maria, Perry and Katie, he goes through the experiences of childhood and those of adolescence. The title Black Blood refers to the inner thoughts and feelings of Marco. Being brought up under the watchful eye of the Catholic community, he takes to heart the admonitions of the priest and those nuns who were his teachers. Marco himself asks, "I low could I explain black blood, when it was still a vague notion inside me?" Throughout, we see Marco develop physi­cally and emotionally. He is able to adapt to Canada, but ho rejects his parents and their background, to which he has trouble relating. Black Blood is not simply an enjoyable book to read - it captures your imagination and draws you into the West End community of the Soo in the 1950s. Janice Vaudry, Lennoxville, Que.