New City

Danny is a Polack with a heart of gold. He grew up in New City, home of what was once the world’s largest slaughterhouse, the Chicago Stockyards. 

After Danny’s wife’s infidelity, he stepped out of what the US calls the “white man's” world. Standing over six feet tall, with a chiseled body, he can fix anything from leaky pipes to broken hearts.  

New City becomes the target of gentrification. Danny owes more than $100,000 in taxes and fines on his house worth no more than $10,000. He knows it’s just a matter of time before he’s living on the streets or worse, in one of the city’s shelters. He and his next door neighbors decide to move to Greencastle, Indiana. 

Mountain, a simple-minded man, becomes Danny’s  boarder. At seven, Mountain could squash two walnuts in one hand. He shares Danny’s dream. They scrap metal, pick up bottles, and do odd jobs to gather the $13,000 needed to purchase their country paradise.

Lippatu, the eight-year old daughter of Danny’s neighbor Napoleon, is afflicted with Sickle Cell Disease. Her sage-like strength and wisdom provides an odd balance to the chaos of their lives. 

Unfortunately, an ambitious, badgering, City Revenue Agent, Burman, discovers the hidden Greencastle funds. He ends up dead and with Mountain’s freedom at stake, Danny must decide if he will make the ultimate sacrifice. 

Patrick Girondi, originally from the South Side of Chicago, is an Italian-American singer-songwriter, author, and founder of a gene therapy company. Girondi has released seven music albums and published the books Flight of the Rondone (a Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller) and Diamond in the Rough.

“The best yet from Girondi, every page informational and entertaining.” —John Moll

"A gritty urban masterpiece. A must-read." —Jon Sion, entrepreneur

"Sad but true; those we hired to serve us decided to use their public office and merge it with business to oppress us. Girondi tells this American tragedy very well." —Carl Segvich, Chicago politician

“New City is raw, uncut, and as challenging as my own memories growing up on the South Side of Chicago!" —Derek Holmes, CEO of TEC-LINK

"New City is a gritty narrative of a forgotten, impoverished part of Chicago. Even though it’s economically indigent, Girondi’s account of the companionship, loyalty, brotherhood, and community support is impressive. Girondi is a new Saul Bellow or Studs Terkel. It’s a must-read to understand Chicago." —Patrick Arbor, former chairman at Chicago Board of Trade