Chicago in the ’60s was a hard place to be for young Tony Tormenti. Racial strife, political corruption, and changing social values have torn apart his world. He is assaulted by conflicting messages from his Catholic school, his damaged drunken father, and the black spot he acknowledges stains his soul. "Pastaman" is a coming-of-age story reverberating in the rhythms of a great city in turmoil, reflected through the characters living in Tony’s south side Italian neighborhood. Tony’s life is a painful journey from the depths of despair to miraculous recovery and redemption.