Helpful Score: 4
The basic premise of the story is lovely and interesting. The book could easily be cut in half by not pounding the reader over the head with descriptions and facts. There must be 200 sentences about the junipers in Italy in the spring, 500 sentences about Ciro's height and good looks, 600 sentences about the relationships. I felt abused by the end- I got it, I GOT it, I REALLY GOT IT. There were some very interesting facts and descriptions of the immigrant experience and about the drive to go to America and the assumption of a return. I thought it was uneven as well- Enza's father disappears for long stretches and then reappears as though he has been there all along. All in all, it was a nice read, I am looking forward to the book club discussion, but I am not at all compelled to read other Trigiani books.
Helpful Score: 2
This was the August 2012 pick in my neighborhood book club. It's a sweeping family saga focusing on the lives of Ciro and Enza, two poor Italians from the same mountain town in Italy.
The story is set in the early 1900s and the reader goes through Ciro and Enza's separate migrations to America, and through the first and second World Wars. It's based on the relationship of the author's grandparents.
While the story had a few compelling moments, it was noticeably uneven. The early lives of the characters were explored at great length, while their later years flew by at the speed of light, by comparison. To serve the story as a whole, I felt there needed to be more of a balance.
The love story at the heart of the novel unfortunately never made its way into my heart. After a brief first meeting, there were too many fated coincidences, actions that felt out of character at times, and the depth of their connection just wasn't very well established, but taken for granted by the narrative. I didn't feel any real chemistry or depth between Ciro and Enza until much later in their relationship, long after they'd built a life together.
Overall, I thought it was an OK read. A great tribute to the author's family, but just a so-so novel. I enjoyed learning about life in the Italian Alps in the early 1900s, but there were just too many long-winded and unnecessary descriptions of colors, shades, hues and fabrics that made this book a chore to slog through at times. So at 470 hardcover pages, it was not an effortless read. C+
The story is set in the early 1900s and the reader goes through Ciro and Enza's separate migrations to America, and through the first and second World Wars. It's based on the relationship of the author's grandparents.
While the story had a few compelling moments, it was noticeably uneven. The early lives of the characters were explored at great length, while their later years flew by at the speed of light, by comparison. To serve the story as a whole, I felt there needed to be more of a balance.
The love story at the heart of the novel unfortunately never made its way into my heart. After a brief first meeting, there were too many fated coincidences, actions that felt out of character at times, and the depth of their connection just wasn't very well established, but taken for granted by the narrative. I didn't feel any real chemistry or depth between Ciro and Enza until much later in their relationship, long after they'd built a life together.
Overall, I thought it was an OK read. A great tribute to the author's family, but just a so-so novel. I enjoyed learning about life in the Italian Alps in the early 1900s, but there were just too many long-winded and unnecessary descriptions of colors, shades, hues and fabrics that made this book a chore to slog through at times. So at 470 hardcover pages, it was not an effortless read. C+
Helpful Score: 1
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A historical book that sets the standard, and this is my first Adriana Trigiani read, must admit! For my first read of hers, I was blown away and am hoping to read more of hers very very soon. A sweet love story that spans over 30 years that has many ups and downs, but in the end the reader is more than satisfied with the journey between these two Italians who must immigrate to the United States and start a new life without their immediate families.
A historical book that sets the standard, and this is my first Adriana Trigiani read, must admit! For my first read of hers, I was blown away and am hoping to read more of hers very very soon. A sweet love story that spans over 30 years that has many ups and downs, but in the end the reader is more than satisfied with the journey between these two Italians who must immigrate to the United States and start a new life without their immediate families.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved the characters. Great writing. Learned about behind the scenes of NY Met Opera.
Helpful Score: 1
I would have to agree with Nadine on her book review. There was nothing about the story to make it a standout. It just meanders along, with way too many coincidences. Trigiani is always a gentle read, which is all that saves the story, which was a lot of words to say, well not a whole lot.
Helpful Score: 1
I thought this book was OK. It is a quick, easy read, but it is not very believable. I did very much enjoy the descriptions of turn of the century Manhattan and the immigrant experience.
Helpful Score: 1
This was the August 2012 pick in my neighborhood book club. It's a sweeping family saga focusing on the lives of Ciro and Enza, two poor Italians from the same mountain town in Italy.
The story is set in the early 1900s and the reader goes through Ciro and Enza's separate migrations to America, and through the first and second World Wars. It's based on the relationship of the author's grandparents.
While the story had a few compelling moments, it was noticeably uneven. The early lives of the characters were explored at great length, while their later years flew by at the speed of light, by comparison. To serve the story as a whole, I felt there needed to be more of a balance.
The love story at the heart of the novel unfortunately never made its way into my heart. After a brief first meeting, there were too many fated coincidences, actions that felt out of character at times, and the depth of their connection just wasn't very well established, but taken for granted by the narrative. I didn't feel any real chemistry or depth between Ciro and Enza until much later in their relationship, long after they'd built a life together.
Overall, I thought it was an OK read. A great tribute to the author's family, but just a so-so novel. I enjoyed learning about life in the Italian Alps in the early 1900s, but there were just too many long-winded and unnecessary descriptions of colors, shades, hues and fabrics that made this book a chore to slog through at times. So at 470 hardcover pages, it was not an effortless read. C+
The story is set in the early 1900s and the reader goes through Ciro and Enza's separate migrations to America, and through the first and second World Wars. It's based on the relationship of the author's grandparents.
While the story had a few compelling moments, it was noticeably uneven. The early lives of the characters were explored at great length, while their later years flew by at the speed of light, by comparison. To serve the story as a whole, I felt there needed to be more of a balance.
The love story at the heart of the novel unfortunately never made its way into my heart. After a brief first meeting, there were too many fated coincidences, actions that felt out of character at times, and the depth of their connection just wasn't very well established, but taken for granted by the narrative. I didn't feel any real chemistry or depth between Ciro and Enza until much later in their relationship, long after they'd built a life together.
Overall, I thought it was an OK read. A great tribute to the author's family, but just a so-so novel. I enjoyed learning about life in the Italian Alps in the early 1900s, but there were just too many long-winded and unnecessary descriptions of colors, shades, hues and fabrics that made this book a chore to slog through at times. So at 470 hardcover pages, it was not an effortless read. C+
I'm surprised that this is such a bestseller! It really didn't do it for me, I can't even believe it's the same author that wrote the Big Stone Gap series! I mean, it's beautifully written, lyrical even, with lots of authentic and loving Italian description, plus lots of interesting information about the immigrant experience in America, but the FEELING was lost---the love story didn't seem that real--there was no basis for their feelings. It was all surface. And, I missed the humor of her other books. I have just taken it off my Wish List, after reading a Library copy. It was OK, but not worthy of owning. But, readers, DO read her other books!! Very good!!
Story of main characters who grow up in Italy and end up in America. I bought this book at a local 2nd hand bookshop, and on the fly leaf someone has written: A Beautiful Story Well Told. I pretty much agree. I'm leaning more these days to novels without a lot of violence/contrived, complicated plots, and/or multiple characters to keep track of. This is a nice, logical, warm, love story with a few twists.
I enjoyed this story and the characters we're easy to like. Sometimes there was too much repetition and repeated descriptions of locations but al in all it was a good read.
This book is a beautiful story of love, determination, hard work, family loyalty that takes the reader from the Italian Alps to New York City, and the Midwest during the beginning of the 20th century, WWI, WWII. A glorious novel with well developed characters and story that will make you laugh and cry! The descriptions of the Alps and New York City, The Metropolitan Opera are still vivid in my mind, several years after reading this book. It will not disappoint!
A touching love story IMO. I also enjoyed the way the author described all the locations & wardrobe. The story flowed very well considering it was over 400 pages.
I enjoy her books. This one is very good with a tale that lures, then deepens and unfolds into maturity. When I thought back over the book after I finished, the book is almost like several books in one. It follows several characters from its early stories to an acceptable mellow conclusion. A good book to lose yourself in for days.
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.
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.
Yes, this book was overly descriptive, but it does not take away from the heart wrenching stories of two families from the same area in the Italian Alps. It is a wonderful love story of Ciro and Enza who emigrated to America at different times, but fate determined they meet again. We follow their trials and tribulations, their joy and sadness as they set up a life in a new country. I fell in love with all the characters and and didn't want this book to end.
SPOILER ALERT!
I shed tears of sorrow that Ciro dies at such a young age, but was so happy he was able to visit his Italian mountain, see his beloved brother again and reunite with his mother after she left her two boys at a convent when they were very young and never came back for them. I was overjoyed that Enza was making plans to see her beloved family again.
SPOILER ALERT!
I shed tears of sorrow that Ciro dies at such a young age, but was so happy he was able to visit his Italian mountain, see his beloved brother again and reunite with his mother after she left her two boys at a convent when they were very young and never came back for them. I was overjoyed that Enza was making plans to see her beloved family again.
This is the second of Ms. Trigiani's books I've read, and I have enjoyed both of them. though long, this book reads quickly. I think being in three distinct parts does that. I will say I did enjoy the first two, which take place in Italy, and then New York I enjoyed more than the last one. While there were plenty of 'happy endings' the story was still enjoyable, and well worth the time.
