Lucia, Lucia

A Novel

By: Adriana Trigiani

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 1950 in glittering, vibrant New York City. Lucia Sartori is the beautiful twenty-five-year-old daughter of a prosperous Italian grocer in Greenwich Village. The postwar boom is ripe with opportunities for talented girls with ambition, and Lucia becomes an apprentice to an up-and-coming designer at chic B. Altman’s department store on Fifth Avenue. Engaged to her childhood sweetheart, the steadfast Dante DeMartino, Lucia is torn when she meets a handsome stranger who promises a life of uptown luxury that career girls like her only read about in the society pages. Forced to choose between duty to her family and her own dreams, Lucia finds herself in the midst of a sizzling scandal in which secrets are revealed, her beloved career is jeopardized, and the Sartoris’ honor is tested.

©2003 The Glory of Everything Company (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"As comforting as a mug of chamomile tea on a rainy Sunday." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Trigiani is a wonderful storyteller." (USA Today)

“[Trigiani’s] characters [are] the perfect antidote to an angst-filled world.” (The Denver Post)

“As comforting as a mug of chamomile tea on a rainy Sunday.” (The New York Times Book Review)

Loved it

This was one of the sweetest most enjoyable books I have listened to in a long time. The narration was wonderful, the story enchanting. I truly didnt want it to end. This isnt a "deep book" by any means, rather a "feel good" story.

A delightful, thoughtful book.

All of the books by this author have thoughtful observations on life and the vagaries of circumstances in each person's life story. Lucia, Lucia was a delightful book and I hated to see it end. It not only entertained me and often made me smile, but often gave me something to think about. I am very disappointed that the second book in this trilogy is not yet available on Audible, and I hope that it is added soon. I really don't want to jump to the third book until I have read the second one.

Great characters

Although I am not Italian but having italian in-laws, this book captures the true italian feeling and manorisms acurately, even today. Although set in 50s Greenwich village and a lighter story line, it is a truly enjoyable way to pass the time. It also captures the time and feel, I think, very accurately. You should really enjoy the narrator and the story. Very enjoyable

Old New York

A beautiful story of old, glamorous New York, and the people that made it so wonderful! It’s got everything, love, family, mystery, twists! 10/10 would read again!

Magical!

I was so conflicted while listening to this book - I wanted to know what was going to happen next, but didn't want it to end! The writing was rich and compelling and the narrator was was soothing, lively and wonderful. The author did a wonderful job of describing scenes, allowing you to 'draw' them in your mind - I can still picture Lucia and her room after more than a month since I listened to this. The two friends I loaned it to both raved about the pictures they were able to 'draw' as well - without prompting! They loved it too!

Wonderful in Every Way! Highly Recommended!

Wonderful book! Cassandra Campbell did a marvelous job with the different characters (of which there were many). I am not of Italian descent nor have I ever been to Greenwich Village but I felt I was there! I would love to hear of Lucia's life from age 30 - 78 although I doubt those years could have been more interesting than the years covered in this book. I would recommend this to everyone! I have to stop listening to these books on my way to work - I always end up crying!!

Most excellent read

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I normally listen to books while exercising or ironing. I was so enthralled with the story and didn't want to stop listening that I ended up doing all my ironing and my mother's as well.

The characters were excellent and the story line so interesting that I didn't want it to ever end. I'm off to look for more offerings by the author, but before that, I'll listen to it again just because I enjoyed it so much.

Third time reading and love even more!

Such a wonderful story. This is my favorite of Adriana's books. I am sure I will listen to it again.

Loved this Book

For anyone who loves to read a charming book about romance, fashion, and life in an Italian-American New York family in the 1950s. I loved it!

Not her best but an enjoyable read

What did you love best about Lucia, Lucia?

I liked the ending. Won;'t be a spoiler!

Who was your favorite character and why?

though I really enjoyed this story overall, I did not have a favourite character… certainly not Lucia.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really a moving book overall.

Any additional comments?

THis book was engaging and kept me listening though I did not particularly enjoy the characters. The ending redeemed the book to some extent but I did not enjoy it as much as The Shoemaker's Wife.