Alfie and Papa’s Other Boys

The book, Alfie and Papa’s Other Boys, is the fourth in a series which began with ‘Alfie’s Story, Little Boy Growing Up.’ After that the exciting story of ‘Alfie and the Moonshiners.’ Next came ‘And the Rest of Alfie’s Story.’ I really thought that was the rest of the story. It wasn’t. Now we have these tales, beginning with Papa’s Missing Toe, and ending with ‘Tis a Mark of Distinction. There is not a dull moment in between these two fascinating pictures of Papa’s role in the lives of his four boys. Willie is the oldest, the “ring leader” in all their mischief, and the embodiment of primogeniture because Margaret died. There is Cliff. Gran’ma characterized him when she said “Give that boy a wheel and he will roll it off the edge of the world.” And Junior is Alfie’s nemesis; he is just enough bigger than Alfie to taunt him, and not bigger enough to control him. Lastly, there is Alfie, the Baby, impulsive, irrepressible and curious beyond belief. But always the Baby until the arrival of Jody, ten years late for this book of Alfie tales.