Set against the backdrop of the Italian Alps and early twentieth-century New York, the story follows Enza Lazzari and Ciro Lazzari, two teenagers whose lives first intersect in a mountain village after a family tragedy. While Ciro is apprenticed to a shoemaker and eventually flees to America, Enza follows years later to support her impoverished family. They build separate lives in the immigrant neighborhoods of Manhattan and the burgeoning suburbs of New Jersey, crossing paths through the Metropolitan Opera and World War I.
This book is for readers of multi-generational sagas who value historical accuracy regarding the immigrant experience and artisan trades. Readers finish the book with a deep understanding of the labor and cultural shifts that defined the Italian-American diaspora during the Great Depression and the industrial boom. It provides a detailed look at the craftsmanship of shoemaking and the logistical realities of building a household in a new country. It appeals to those who prefer detailed prose about family duty and professional dedication over fast-paced action.
Practical, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2012
- Language
- EN
