Book Club Reviews of Lucia, Lucia

From Pat Barey, Chat About Books Club, Brighton, Missouri
Being a big fan of the Big Stone Gap trilogy, I was very comfortable with Adriana's characters and settings, so I wasn't at all excited to pick up Lucia, Lucia to meet new ones. But, true to form, Adriana once again creates a story with characters so real that you swear you know them in real life.

Lucia, Lucia, a story within a story, and the way it was written is outstanding. Lucia is a wonderful character, one with whom you share ups and downs, tears of joy and sorrow, and root for all the way through the book. Through many of the scenes, you hold your breath, waiting for the ball to drop, but then things turn out ok. Through others, your heart races with happiness, only to have the ball fall ? and fall big. You can't predict what is going to happen, but you still have a sense of what could happen, as the plots and characters are so realistic.

Much of this story is set in a time before I was even born, yet I feel as though I lived that era, based on the descriptions of characters, and of the "way of thinking" described ever so well by the author. The story centers around a family of Italian descent and a lot of old country values. Their way of thinking and feeling is so well explained, I didn't feel out of place and wasn't left wondering what she was referring to.

My heart ached for Lucia...and I am convinced she was cursed, but she dealt with life in keeping with her basic values. I can't remember the last time I wept openly while reading a book. Well, this time I did, and it was so good for me. Adriana has done it again! I rate this story an A+.

From Sue Monaco, Belles From Liberty, Girard, Ohio
What a fun book to read! Most of us grew up in very ethnic neighborhoods here in Ohio, and several of us are from very Italian communities, so Lucia, Lucia brought back many wonderful memories of youth. We found Lucia's life fascinating as she dealt with each member of her family, members of the community, and her coworkers. One of the themes we liked best was the support from her family Lucia received when she made the decision not to marry, but instead be an independent working woman in the world of fashion. Another aspect we enjoyed was Lucia's support of her own family, especially regarding her new sister-in-law. Adriana's writing shows humor and provides truthful conversations with which you can identify. She gets to the heart of her characters' hearts, so you feel like you know them. We felt the joys and sorrows in Lucia's lifetime. We enjoyed her friends and the men she dated - well, we weren't so happy with one. Lucia, Lucia showed so much love for family members and if times were not the best, the love still shone through. This was a beautiful story, and we can see why Adriana named her daughter Lucia. We hope everyone enjoys the book as much as we have. If you haven't read any of Adriana's other books, PLEASE DO - they are wonderful!

From Sandy Mitchell, GirlTalkBookShop, Chicago, Illinois
Lucia Sartori has high ideals for a young woman of the 1950's; her passion for sewing has led her to her dream job as a seamstress at the top department store in New York City. At B. Altmans Lucia develops a group of meaningful friendships, working under chief designer, Delmarr, her boss and friend.

On the home front, Lucia is the only daughter in a close knit, Italian family. Her father and brothers run the Groceria, the only local fresh market in Greenwich Village. Though in many ways the Sartoris are a traditional Italian family, Lucia's mother and father are supportive of her career and understand her passion for sewing.

As Lucia goes through her 20's, she struggles with battling what society expects of women in regards to marriage and children, and her own desires for a successful career. When she meets the man of her dreams, can she remain true to her heart and her career? And how does she fit family loyalty into the picture?

Lucia, Lucia will take you back in time, to 1950's Greenwich Village. You'll feel as if you are right there with Lucia Sartori, walking down Fifth Avenue and experiencing the exciting and glamorous lifestyle of high society New York City. After work at B. Altman's, you'll be in the arms of a warm and cozy Italian family with lots of good food and happy times. Like all families, the Sartoris have their ups and downs.

As she did in her Big Stone Gap trilogy, Adriana Trigiani brings us a cast of colorful, real characters, with vivid writing, and a blend of laugh out loud moments and sadness. Once you step inside Greenwich Village in the 1950's with the Sartori family, you won't want to come back.

From Cheryl Caudill and her book club, Durham, North Carolina
Every life holds a story, and sometimes we are lucky enough when one of those stories is shared. Lucia, Lucia examines the life of a woman who is both traditional and unconventional, the respectful daughter of an Italian family and a career girl in 1950s New York. Lucia Sartori is a woman struggling to figure out how to marry her two worlds and meet the expectations of those around her while staying true to her dreams. We follow Lucia on her journey through events filled with love, sorrow and change - all which lend a hand in shaping the person she becomes.

The theme of change is very prevalent in the book. Adriana Trigiani explores understated changes like the evolution of Christmas traditions in the Sartori household and the move from custom designed fashions to ready-to-wear styles at B. Altman's department store. She also delves into more substantial issues such as the changing roles of women in post-war America - both personally and professionally - as well as the changes in family dynamics as people grow older and move on, with warmth and true feeling.

The author's descriptive writing style connects you to the characters in a very real and emotional way. In addition, Trigiani really brought the novel's settings to life - from the Hub at B. Altman's, the house on 45 Commerce Street and the farm in Godega.

In addition to enjoying a truly wonderful story, the reader will relish the detailed descriptions of the haut couture of the 1950s and the added bonus of a few Sartori family recipes. For readers that are new to Adriana's works, they are in for a treat and for those of us who have been loyal readers, you will not be disappointed.