Lori M. (lormac) reviewed on 4/3/2011 + 120 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

Okay, so you receive a box - handcarved of the finest wood with an intricate inlaid design, studded with gems and traced with gold filgree. The box is exquisite, and you are so excited to see what amazing gift it will contain. You lift the lid and find a silver bangle bracelet - nice enough, but certainly not equal to its container. That is how I felt about "Lucia, Lucia." The setting promises you a wonderful treat, but the plot is fairly ordinary. Even so, the book has a lot to recommend it. The author sets her story in New York City in the early 50s, chock full of Packards, debutantes, custom dresses and cocktails at the Waldorf. The characters are true to the times as well, in both their actions and dialogue, and Trigiani succeeds in moving the story line right along. Unfortunately, the plot is hampered by the fact that you have met Lucia as an elderly woman in the first chapter so when she starts to tell her life story, you know how the book will end. The book's best feature, in my opinion, is the depiction of the limits placed on young talented women - well, actually, women in general - in the post-war years. Plus I loved the descriptions of B.Altman's which was a store I remember visiting in my childhood.

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