Angelo's descriptions of characters and settings contain his best writing.

His imagery evokes feelings, sights, and sounds that project the reader into the scene. As Joey's girlfriend mourns her dead cat, Angelo elicits a strong sense of atmosphere: "A soft warm breeze stole into the dingy yard and lazily fanned the wash on the line. The distant sound of a radio playing 'Rhapsody in Blue' echoed over the neighborhood." Not only does he draw detailed, moving episodes, but his images create a contemplative tone rich with implicit deeper meaning.

Music is a significant symbol throughout The Bells of Bleecker Street. Emphasizing the strong Roman Catholic convictions of New York's Little Italy, the sound of bells and chimes that emanates from the Church of Our Lady of Pompeii suggests the constant influence of spirituality within the community.

The main characters reinforce the religious significance of music by...