The Shoemaker's Wife

Firstly and as always I would be remiss if I didn't note that I received this book free as a Goodreads giveaway. I entered the Giveaway, as I always do, knowing absolutely nothing of the book in question and intentionally avoiding any background. The fact that the book was free (as anyone who looks at my other reviews of free books will note) will have no impact on my review of it.

Unlike many of the free books I've reviewed this one wasn't free because it was new and just coming out and needed reviewing. It was free because the book was already well established and coming out in paperback after being on the NYT best sellers list. Typically I give very little credence to the popularity of a book in assessing the quality but after having show more tramped my way through the nearly 500 pages of this one I can assert that its popularity is well deserved.

There have been so many reviewers before me that there's little I can say that hasn't already been covered. Trigiani's book is at its heart a romance but only so in the way that all stories drawn from life are at their hearts romances. She encapsulates with incredible skill an entire lifetime and draws us a portrait that makes its way into your soul and is sure to be remembered long after the last page turns.

The author's attention to detail is meticulous without becoming dull or redundant and reminds me strongly of the Dickensian tendency to stop and patiently draw out all the intimate nuances of a scene. I would leave potential readers with two recommendations. Firstly, take the time to read this one but do so with an open mind and let it wash over you. Immerse yourself in it and have patience. Secondly, the book is not to be taken lightly. You cannot go after it in fits and starts. If you cannot read 100 pages at a sitting then read something else until you can. It is a vastly rewarding novel but one that requires utmost and concentrated attention. show less

Audio book narrated by Annabella Sciorra and Adriana Trigiani

This is an epic love story taking the reader from the Italian Alps to the Iron Range of Minnesota and covering four decades, beginning in 1904. Ciro meets Enza when he’s hired to dig her little sister’s grave. Their attraction is immediate, but they are only 15 and Ciro, having crossed the village priest, is secretly sent away to America. Before long Enza’s family suffers a financial setback and the decision is made that she and her father should go to America to try to earn money. Ciro learns to be a shoemaker, living in an alcove off the shop in New York’s Little Italy. Enza works in a blouse factory, and keeps house for the family in Hoboken who sponsored her, while show more her father travels with a construction crew building roads and bridges. Over the next ten years they will meet and separate several times before finally giving their love a chance.

Trigiani spent 20 years working on this novel, which is based on her grandparents’ lives. The build-up to getting these two star-crossed lovers together was full of detail. But once they settled in Minnesota years would pass from one chapter to the next. The final few chapters seemed a bit rushed to me. As in her other novels, Trigiani shines when exploring old world traditions and family values. Her characters are strong-willed, determined, humble, gentle, intelligent and generous. They embrace life and love, and deal with adversity with grace and dignity. What drives me a little crazy, however, is Trigiani’s love affair with simile and metaphor. That’s really a small quibble, though, and I forgot about it fairly quickly because I found the story just so compelling.

The audio book jacket states that this work is narrated by Annabella Sciorra, who does a marvelous job. But half-way through the book, Sciorra bows out and Trigiani takes over. The author has a depth of feeling for the story that comes across in her performance, but I still preferred Sciorra’s narration. Also, I didn’t think there was a clear reason for the change in voice artist. The only clue that there would be more than one narrator was in the introductory remarks. The audio also includes additional background material and an author interview. show less

Well-written, engrossing, substantial story about two Italians, Enza and Ciro, that immigrate separately to the United States. They first meet as teens in Italy and are reunited later in New York City. The story in Italy involves both of their families and some major episodes in their early lives. We see them travel, make friends, and establish themselves. The book is a family saga involving births, deaths, courtships, marriages, deep friendships, and all the hallmarks of a life.

The writing is beautifully descriptive. I particularly enjoyed the vivid portrayals of the experience at Ellis Island and the Metropolitan Opera. I could picture the serenity of the Italian Alps and the activity of New York City. I came to care for the two main show more characters and thought their friends were well-portrayed. Both stories were filled with fascinating people. I thought the first two-thirds more successful than the final third of the book. After a somewhat leisurely pace, it seemed to race to the finish. An epilogue might have better served to wrap up the loose ends. It would have benefited from research or a history-related proof-reading to fix prominent historical inaccuracies. They appeared to originate more from a lack of research than any plot-related necessity. Some may be easier to ignore than others. Though a romantic relationship is part of the plot, it is much more wide-ranging in scope than a traditional romance.

I listened to the newest audio version of the book. Orlagh Cassidy, the reader, did an excellent job. She was required to quickly switch between a variety of Italian, American, and Irish accents as well as distinguish between many male and female characters. The audio entertained me on a driving trip for over 18 hours, and I was eager to hear what Enza and Ciro were up to next.

Recommended to those that enjoy family sagas and anyone interested in the immigrant experience of the early 1900’s in the United States. show less

I read a few reviews of this while I was listening to/reading it. I saw the phrase "no surprises" several times, but that wasn't my experience. Whenever I got to a part where I thought things could take a turn for the worse She becomes best friends with someone I instantly worry will become a rival for Ciro's affections-didn't happen; she gets attacked and nearly raped at the factory-but it didn't happen (this would have gotten considerably fewer stars if it had); she has to work a fancy party where there are expensive dishes she's warned to be careful with-she doesn't break any; she catches the attention of a famous opera singer and he doesn't try to seduce and ruin her; she marries a known ladies' man and he never cheats on her. it show more didn't.

Basically, I was surprised at how much went right for these characters, when a lazy writer could have just manufactured extra drama. The trials they did endure were mostly things that might happen over the course of a normal life. Some extra sadness, sure, but it did feel natural in the context of the story. All of this is just to say, I guess, that I was surprised by the amount of kindness, goodness and joy in this story. You pick up a book about immigrants who are struggling to get by in America, you expect (I expect) one awful thing after another to happen. Maybe I watch too many movies. I expected more villains, and I'm glad I didn't get them. This story was more about the rewards of hard work, steadfastness, friendship, grace, love and family.

It's very descriptive, and the characters are well-drawn and memorable. I felt instantly protective of the relationships that were built throughout the book. The friendship between Enza and Laura was one of my favorite parts. For the longest time, I didn't think Ciro was worthy of Enza, but I understood the relationship and Enza's choices by the time the story was done.

Anyway, I laughed, I cried, and I'll definitely try out more of Ms. Trigiani's books. show less

Well-written, engrossing, substantial story about two Italians, Enza and Ciro, that immigrate separately to the United States. They first meet as teens in Italy and are reunited later in New York City. The story in Italy involves both of their families and some major episodes in their early lives. We see them travel, make friends, and establish themselves. The book is a family saga involving births, deaths, courtships, marriages, deep friendships, and all the hallmarks of a life.

The writing is beautifully descriptive. I particularly enjoyed the vivid portrayals of the experience at Ellis Island and the Metropolitan Opera. I could picture the serenity of the Italian Alps and the activity of New York City. I came to care for the two main show more characters and thought their friends were well-portrayed. Both stories were filled with fascinating people. I thought the first two-thirds more successful than the final third of the book. After a somewhat leisurely pace, it seemed to race to the finish. An epilogue might have better served to wrap up the loose ends. It would have benefited from research or a history-related proof-reading to fix prominent historical inaccuracies. They appeared to originate more from a lack of research than any plot-related necessity. Some may be easier to ignore than others. Though a romantic relationship is part of the plot, it is much more wide-ranging in scope than a traditional romance.

I listened to the newest audio version of the book. Orlagh Cassidy, the reader, did an excellent job. She was required to quickly switch between a variety of Italian, American, and Irish accents as well as distinguish between many male and female characters. The audio entertained me on a driving trip for over 18 hours, and I was eager to hear what Enza and Ciro were up to next.

Recommended to those that enjoy family sagas and anyone interested in the immigrant experience of the early 1900’s in the United States. show less

This book ripped me apart. I cried for probably the entire last 3rd, and off and on before then. The characters are amazing--I practically expected Enza and Cero to step off the page and sit down beside me with a cup of coffee. The scenes are lushly described, with careful attention paid to history, setting, geography, and the actual sensory experience. Can't recommend this book enough, but be prepared to weep.

Adriana Trigiani's latest, The Shoemaker's Wife, is a sweeping saga that takes readers from the Italian Alps to New York City to the bracing weather of the Minnesota iron range at the beginnings of the twentieth century. Twenty years in the making, it is the fictionalized story of her own grandparents' love story. The story follows the lives of Enza Ravanelli and Ciro Lazari, two children born in the Italian Alps and each of whom find their way to America. While there, they find success through hard work and each other through patience and a deep and poignant love. It sounds simple, but the ensuing story is just gorgeous in its scope.

A typical immigration story, both Enza and Ciro's struggles put future generations to shame. Their show more childhood poverty, their amazing work ethic, and their willingness to sacrifice everything for family are certain characteristics that today's generations simply cannot fathom. Working twelve hours days for minimal wages, going hungry to send money in support of family members - these are things today's children have been taught not to accept. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, The Shoemaker's Wife is a wonderful reminder of the steps the nation had to take to bring us to this point. It is the hard work and dedication of immigrants such as Enza and Ciro that provided future generations with the creature comforts and decent work environments that exist today. Yet, Ms. Trigiani does not preach her point. She lets Enza's and Ciro's actions speak for themselves, and readers will find themselves sitting up straighter and working harder out of deference to two such devoted characters.

Enza and Ciro are two characters that leap from the page. They are so well-written and realistic, there is no difficulty imagining them walking the streets of New York or picnicking on the banks of Minnesota lake. Ciro's exuberance for life is intoxicating. He brings a smile to readers' faces through his genuine good nature and enthusiasm, while his fears and worries become the readers' own. Conversely, Enza's practical nature and refined gentleness help readers strive to become better people. Her complete devotion to her family and the satisfaction she feels in making beautiful things and making others happy are inspiring. Their devotion to one another is simply beautiful. A reader feels privileged to be included in such a touching story about love and sacrifice.

For the audiobook , Ms. Trigiani freely admits to being actively involved its production. Since The Shoemaker's Wife was a novel twenty years in the making, the audiobook experience had to be perfect and authentic to the story, hence the two narrators. Annabella Sciorra is the perfect choice for young Enza and Ciro. There is an innocence to her performance that mirrors their own relative inexperience in the world at large. When Ms. Trigiani takes over the narration, the listener knows that the story is about take a serious turn. Enza's and Ciro's world gets more complicated and more adult, and Ms. Trigiani's voice reflects the wisdom that comes with experience. While Ms. Sciorra's narration is all careful piety and youth, Ms. Trigiani's narration embodies the family ideal. Of the two, Ms. Sciorra's voice is the more pleasing to the ear, but one can understand and overlook the scratchiness of Ms. Trigiani's voice and less-polished narration when one remembers how near and dear this story is to her.

Adriana Trigiani has not only done it again, she has far surpassed anything she has previously written. She not only captures the excitement and constant changes which define the new century, she infuses each location with reverence due to careful attention to detail and the ensuing absolutely breathtaking descriptions. The effort and care she took to recreate the stories told to her by family members shines from every page. Enza and Ciro embody the changing times with their endless energy, determination, and willingness to work. Their devotion to one another will bring readers to tears. The Shoemaker's Wife is the type of novel which immerses readers so completely into its world that all other cares, worries, chores, and other demands of life fade to nonexistence. Like a good Italian meal, it demands to be savored and enjoyed slowly, allowing readers to absorb each delicious description and scene, and thoroughly enjoy it they will.

Acknowledgments: Thank you to Beth Harper and Harper Audio for my review copy! show less