The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani
Like many immigrants in the early 20th century, Enza and her father Marco left their village of Schilpario in northern Italy to find work in America that would allow them to support their struggling family back home. The move was to be temporary, and a return to their home was planned once enough money was earned for the Ravenelli family to build a home of their own.
At the same time, a young man from Enza’s village was banished from his home in a convent and decided he’d go to America as well to seek his fortune. Essentially an orphan, Ciro Lazzari found refuge and a life within the convent after his mother dropped his brother and him off and essentially disappeared. After witnessing an immoral act by the residing priest, Ciro was forced to leave.
As young people in the same small village, Enza and Ciro knew each other and, in fact, Enza harbored a young girl’s crush on him when she began her journey to America. As would be expected, life in Little Italy in New York brought these two together from time to time, but Enza’s hope for something more ended when she met Ciro’s American sweetheart.
Readers of Adriana Trigiani will know to expect a sweeping epic writ large on a canvas of deep family relationships, personal courage, and rich emotional resonance. Those who haven’t yet had the privilege of reading a novel by one of our most beloved authors will be enchanted. A perfect selection for all book clubs that enjoy history and romance
Harper/HarperCollins; ISBN 978-0- 06125-710-0; $15.99.
