I was a bit skeptical about listening to this book. I love reading Trigiani's works and could not imagine a narrator delivering the same feelings as words on a page. I was so wrong! Mario Cantone made me fall in love with B and his family. What a great "read"!

Although I rarely enjoy abridged versions of audio books, I listened to this one simply because Mario Cantone was a high school friend. His narration was BRILLIANT!!! He captured every character perfectly in this great book, and at times it was hard to remember that he was the only one reading!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I wish that he had read the unabridged version. I've already passed the book onto several friends! It was just plain FUN!!!

Why would the average guy even start to listen to this book? Heck, the main character is an interior decorator (decorating: a boring, expensive and time consuming process that culminates in the imposition of unwanted new restrictions) and he's working on a church to boot! Add to that fact that on first listen Mario Cantone has a voice that might send chills down your spine if you heard it in the other end of a customer service line and you might be tempted to turn the book off. Don't.

This is a most entertaining listen, even if you aren't an Italian American from New Jersey. If you are an Italian American from New Jersey the book transcends into quasi-reality because the characters are all people you'll swear you've actually met. Plus, Cantone's performance brings the people to life, right down to the last lovably annoying detail. Don't be surprised if you find yourself putting familiar faces on Cantone's voices. The person who sat next to me while I listened on the fight to Newark this morning remarked: "That book must be pretty good. I heard you laughing and I saw you crying."

Apart from the entertainment, you may find that the author has something more to say. Many of the characters show simultaneous evidence of both brilliance and dysfunction, not the least of which is a narrator who describes his exhilaration over touching fine fabric and then refers to lovemaking as "an exercise in friction". Reminds me of something I remembered fondly about growing up as part of a large extended family in close proximity. Talent and dysfunction had peaceful co-existence. The group often made good use of the talents and it usually accepted the weirdness even when flaunted. So, it was a very pleasant surprise to find that an interview with the author was included with the audiobook in which she talked of similar remembrance while describing her objectives for the book. I look forward to downloading another Trigiani selection.

This is a title that is not to be missed! Download and listen to it TODAY! It made me laugh out loud on the subway. For anyone with a big family, especially Italian, Adriana Trigiani's characters are instantly identifiable. Her plot is unique and unpredictable; I couldn?t stop listening to it.
Mario Cantone's read sparkles with fantastic character voices that bring this story to life. I think I know or have met every one in this tale. I've already told my mother to listen to it, and will suggest it to more of my family.
A very enjoyable listen.