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Giustino Andrea Scibetta was born on January 27th, 2000, in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, a suburban city outside of Toronto. He grew up writing short stories and acting out dramatic scenes with his younger sister and cousins. Dramatic arts and storytelling have always been ingrained in his upbringing in some form.
Scibetta became obsessed with the works of William Shakespeare and F. Scott Fitzgerald, taking an interest outside of his English classes in secondary school.
The Stronger Brother is Scibetta’s debut novel, which he wrote and published at the young age of twenty-three.
Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite
The Stronger Brother by G. A. Scibetta is a coming-of-age novel focusing on family relations and dysfunction. Theodore Perkins has it all, from a wealthy Canadian family, everything is available to him, except that which he needs the most: familial love and acceptance for who he is. Theo knows he is gay but is terrified of revealing this to his overbearing and autocratic father or emotionally absent mother. He is a young man caught in a web of secrecy and distrust. His only confidantes are his older brother, Alexander, and his best friend, Jade. When Theo meets the free-spirited Wesley, he discovers the love and acceptance he has always craved. From his hated home, Perkins Castle, Theo finally finds peace of mind. Money, power, and all that goes along with it do not interest Theo and Alexander, so each of the boys must find their way to seek freedom from the domination of their fathers and the emotional lack of their parents.
The Stronger Brother is a beautifully crafted, emotional story that will tug at readers' heartstrings. Author G. A. Scibetta has written a character in Theo, who is both tender and gentle yet still has a core of strength to draw on when circumstances spiral out of control. I appreciated the gentleness and tenderness of the relationship between Theo and Wes, which was beautifully written, with the romantic and tragic scenes evoking deep emotions in the reader. This is ultimately a story about freedom and the ability to choose one's direction regardless of the circumstances of birth or upbringing. I particularly enjoyed the two boys' relationship with the Perkins' domestic staff, from whom they received more love and attention than they ever did from their parents. The one thing this story reminds me, above all else, is that love, regardless of who and where it comes from, is always the most powerful force in the universe and ultimately will conquer evil. Despite the harrowing tragedies within, I enjoyed this read and highly recommend it.
