The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani
Goodreads Summary: "The majestic and
haunting beauty of the Italian Alps is the setting of the first meeting
of Enza, a practical beauty, and Ciro, a strapping mountain boy, who
meet as teenagers, despite growing up in villages just a few miles
apart. At the turn of the last century, when Ciro catches the local
priest in a scandal, he is banished from his village and sent to hide in
America as an apprentice to a shoemaker in Little Italy. Without
explanation, he leaves a bereft Enza behind. Soon, Enza's family faces
disaster and she, too, is forced to go to America with her father to
secure their future.
Unbeknownst to one another, they both build fledgling lives in America, Ciro masters shoemaking and Enza takes a factory job in Hoboken until fate intervenes and reunites them. But it is too late: Ciro has volunteered to serve in World War I and Enza, determined to forge a life without him, begins her impressive career as a seamstress at the Metropolitan Opera House that will sweep her into the glamorous salons of Manhattan and into the life of the international singing sensation, Enrico Caruso.
From the stately mansions of Carnegie Hill, to the cobblestone streets of Little Italy, over the perilous cliffs of northern Italy, to the white-capped lakes of northern Minnesota, these star-crossed lovers meet and separate, until, finally, the power of their love changes both of their lives forever.
Lush and evocative, told in tantalizing detail and enriched with lovable, unforgettable characters, The Shoemaker's Wife is a portrait of the times, the places and the people who defined the immigrant experience, claiming their portion of the American dream with ambition and resolve, cutting it to fit their needs like the finest Italian silk.
This riveting historical epic of love and family, war and loss, risk and destiny is the novel Adriana Trigiani was born to write, one inspired by her own family history and the love of tradition that has propelled her body of bestselling novels to international acclaim. Like Lucia, Lucia, The Shoemaker's Wife defines an era with clarity and splendor, with operatic scope and a vivid cast of characters who will live on in the imaginations of readers for years to come."
What can I say? This book "sucked" me from the first few pages. The main characters were so believable and I couldn't help but fall in love with each of them. The author's description of the beauty of the countryside made me feel like I was in that place at that period of time. The immigrants who came to American in the late 1800's , early 1900's were truly remarkable - they came to make a better life for themselves and their families - they worked hard and put up with a lot of difficulties, but they persevered and made this country what it is today. Where has that work ethic gone? Why is it that people expect so much for not putting out any effort at all? It is good to be reminded of the past and how difficult it was for these immigrants.
Finished: August 14, 2012
Unbeknownst to one another, they both build fledgling lives in America, Ciro masters shoemaking and Enza takes a factory job in Hoboken until fate intervenes and reunites them. But it is too late: Ciro has volunteered to serve in World War I and Enza, determined to forge a life without him, begins her impressive career as a seamstress at the Metropolitan Opera House that will sweep her into the glamorous salons of Manhattan and into the life of the international singing sensation, Enrico Caruso.
From the stately mansions of Carnegie Hill, to the cobblestone streets of Little Italy, over the perilous cliffs of northern Italy, to the white-capped lakes of northern Minnesota, these star-crossed lovers meet and separate, until, finally, the power of their love changes both of their lives forever.
Lush and evocative, told in tantalizing detail and enriched with lovable, unforgettable characters, The Shoemaker's Wife is a portrait of the times, the places and the people who defined the immigrant experience, claiming their portion of the American dream with ambition and resolve, cutting it to fit their needs like the finest Italian silk.
This riveting historical epic of love and family, war and loss, risk and destiny is the novel Adriana Trigiani was born to write, one inspired by her own family history and the love of tradition that has propelled her body of bestselling novels to international acclaim. Like Lucia, Lucia, The Shoemaker's Wife defines an era with clarity and splendor, with operatic scope and a vivid cast of characters who will live on in the imaginations of readers for years to come."
What can I say? This book "sucked" me from the first few pages. The main characters were so believable and I couldn't help but fall in love with each of them. The author's description of the beauty of the countryside made me feel like I was in that place at that period of time. The immigrants who came to American in the late 1800's , early 1900's were truly remarkable - they came to make a better life for themselves and their families - they worked hard and put up with a lot of difficulties, but they persevered and made this country what it is today. Where has that work ethic gone? Why is it that people expect so much for not putting out any effort at all? It is good to be reminded of the past and how difficult it was for these immigrants.
Finished: August 14, 2012
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