The Shoemaker's Wife
A Novel
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4.2 • 1.2K Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
"…an old-fashioned, romantic tale of two star-tangled lovers...but also a paean to artisanal work, food, friendship and family…Trigiani is a master of palpable and visual detail." — Washington Post
Beloved New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani returns with the most epic and ambitious novel of her career—a breathtaking epic romance and multigenerational love story that spans two continents, two World Wars, and the quest of two star-crossed lovers to find each other again.
The Shoemaker's Wife, a stunning work of historical fiction, is replete with the all the page-turning adventure, sumptuous detail, and heart-stopping romance that has made Adriana Trigiani, "one of the reigning queens of women’s fiction" (USA Today). Fans of Trigiani’s sweeping family dramas like Big Stone Gap and Lucia, Lucia will love her latest masterpiece, a book Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, calls "totally new and completely wonderful: a rich, sweeping epic which tells the story of the women and men who built America dream by dream."
But when their journey from the beautiful Italian Alps to the bustling streets of America tears them apart, will their love be strong enough to guide them back to each other?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Trigiani's page-turning newest (after Viola in the Spotlight) is a sweeping saga that stretches across the World Wars, from Italy to America and back again. Ciro Lazzari and Enza Ravenelli grew up in nearby villages in Italy, but only meet when Ciro is hired to dig the grave for Enza's baby sister. Though they come from different backgrounds Enza is the eldest daughter in a family of eight, while Ciro and his brother are raised by nuns after their father's death and mother's mental breakdown the two nevertheless bond. But when Ciro catches a priest embracing a young girl, he is banished from the convent and must depart for New York City, where he apprentices as a shoemaker. Soon thereafter, Enza and her father journey to the U.S. to send money home to their struggling family. There, Enza becomes a talented seamstress and gets involved in the lushly detailed New York opera scene by making costumes for the Met. While in New York, Enza and Ciro reconnect, but Ciro is soon swept away to fight in WWI. When he returns and seeks Enza's hand in marriage, Enza, who is set to be betrothed to another man, must now weigh her possible futures: "A life with Ciro would be about family, a life with Vito would be about her." More than an epic romance, Trigiani's work pays homage to the tribulations of the immigrant experience, and the love that makes the journey and hardships worthwhile.
Customer Reviews
A great story
This is a great story of love and loss, of life. A real tear jerker; keep the Kleenex handy.
Good but sappy
A bit sappy at times, but a great look into the past. If you want a book to make you feel good, this is the one. Well written.
The Shoemakers Wife
I savored this book, didn't want it to end. It spoke to me in so many ways. I identified with it and lived vicariously through it.
You will love it. I promise !
C.I.F.M.