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)

not as enamored as other reviewers

I didn't find this so predictable or superficial as to fail to complete it, but it did not grab me. I bought it based on other reviews, and want to suggest that it's not a hugely literary read, imho.

Lucia, Lucia

This is the first book of Ms. Trigani I have read and have downloaded several since then. This book kept my interest and my imagination going as the characters came to life. I was sorry when it ended.

Highly recommend

Every book I have read by Adriana Trigiani has made me laugh, brought me to tears, and warmed my heart, and Lucia, Lucia is no exception. Another one of Adriana's novels that did not disappoint me.

So endearing

The characters were so well developed.
A book about a strong family and an even stronger daughter. I loved it!

Wonderful!

This is by far the best audiobook I've ever heard. The story is great, the characters are super, and the narration couldn't be better. Being of Italian descent, I often found myself nodding at the oh-so-typical reactions and comments described by the author via her true-to-life characterizations. I even added my two cents worth aloud, in true Italian fashion! There's so much that's offered here, since the story is set at a time when people took real pride in their work, families were bound by loyalty, and old values/traditions still mattered. There's also an added bonus of a VERY authentic Sicilian sesame cookie recipe that's not to be missed! :)

Great read!

Great story...hated to see it end!
Would recommend to all. Cassandra Campbell did an excellent job as usual!

Captivating

I would say that this is more like a painting than a novel, it paints in Italian family at the time that traditions are breaking down.

What a wonderful book!

I so enjoyed listenting to this book!! The story is well written, and keeps you wanting more with every chapter. It reminds you that every elderly person was once your age and that they have stories to tell. Take time to talk with your elders, you just might be amazed by what they have to say!!

Amazing!!

I read this book once long ago and just finished listening for the second time. I love the story and the beautiful feel of family. How I wish that I could have been Italian! Cassandra Campbell was awesome as always.

Enjoyable

This book by Adriana Trigiani wasn’t her best but better than a lot of choices in Audible.

Love this author. Her story and descriptions of places captures me.

This story is set in 1950s Manhattan.