Friday, August 31, 2012

The Shoemaker's Wife




When Ciro Lazzari and Enza Ravenelli leave their small Italian villages (separately) for America in the early 1900s, they seem destined to end up together, even after experiencing only one brief encounter. Using your power of deduction based on the book’s title (and quickly discovering that Ciro becomes a shoemaker’s apprentice once he arrives in New York City), it’s probably safe to assume the outcome of their relationship.

Nevertheless, Adriana Trigiani has created a lovely tale that deftly weaves together the importance of family, friendship, the search for truth and ultimately, forgiveness. While I felt the book meandered just a bit and could have been pared down in some places, Trigiani certainly has a way with words. Her vivid descriptions of food, people and landscapes make you feel like you’re sitting right alongside her characters.

An enjoyable read, I’d rate The Shoemaker's Wife 4 out of 5 stars. 

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