Kiss Carlo

By: Adriana Trigiani

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

From Adriana Trigiani, the beloved New York Times best-selling author of The Shoemaker's Wife, comes an exhilarating epic novel of love, loyalty, and creativity - the story of an Italian American family on the cusp of change.

It's 1949, and South Philadelphia bursts with opportunity during the postwar boom. The Palazzini Cab Company & Western Union Telegraph Office, owned and operated by Dominic Palazzini and his three sons, is flourishing: Business is good, and they're surrounded by sympathetic wives and daughters-in-law, with grandchildren on the way. But a decades-long feud that split Dominic and his brother, Mike, and their once-close families sets the stage for a rematch.

Amidst the hoopla, the arrival of an urgent telegram from Italy upends the life of Nicky Castone (Dominic and his wife's orphaned nephew), who lives and works with his uncle Dom and his family. Nicky decides, at 30, that he wants more - more than just a job driving car number four and more than his longtime fiancée, Peachy DePino, a bookkeeper, can offer. When he admits to his fiancée that he's been secretly moonlighting at the local Shakespeare theater company, Nicky finds himself drawn to the stage, its colorful players, and the determined Calla Borelli, who inherited the enterprise from her father, Nicky must choose between the conventional life his family expects of him and charting a new course and risking losing everything he cherishes.

From the dreamy mountaintop village of Roseto Valfortore in Italy to the vibrant streets of South Philly to the close-knit enclave of Roseto, Pennsylvania, to New York City during the birth of the golden age of television, Kiss Carlo is a powerful intergenerational story that celebrates the ties that bind while staying true to oneself when all hope seems lost. Told against the backdrop of some of Shakespeare's greatest comedies, this novel brims with romance as long-buried secrets are revealed, mistaken identities are unmasked, scores are settled, broken hearts are mended, and true love reigns. Trigiani's consummate storytelling skill and her trademark wit, along with a dazzling cast of characters, will enthrall listeners. Once again the author has returned to her own family garden to create an unforgettable feast. Kiss Carlo is a jubilee, resplendent with hope, love, and the abiding power of la famiglia.

©2017 The Glory of Everything Company (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"[Narrator Edoardo] Ballerini's range of voices and accents distinguishes the characters and gives personality to both males and females. His delivery deepens the listener's connection to the plot... Ballerini's enthusiasm for the audiobook is contagious..." ( AudioFile)

Great read. interesting characters.

Really loved it. I hadn't read this author before and was not disappointed. loved dividing the story in to the 3 acts.

Another wonderful story

Thank you so much for sharing your talent. I love listening to your stories. It takes me to a place that feels like a vacation.

Best Adriana Trigiani book yet!

A must read book! I enjoyed every second of it! Narrator was very good too.

Superb!

Adriana at her best. Couldn't wait to see what was coming next. Thank you letting us be part of this loving Italian family.

Wonderful, beautiful tale.

Beautiful story. Epic. Excellent character development. Performance was lovely. All around entertaining and enjoyable. I love it and was sad when it ended.

Great story!

Another great book by this author! Her stories always touch my heart. Loved the narration!

I was disappointed

It was just ok. I was expecting a lot more and was disappointed. The characters weren't original enough to pull me in. I had to keep hitting the "back" button because my mind kept wandering.

She's done it again!

Another thoroughly enjoyable story from Adriana Trigiani narrated by Eduardo Ballerini, one of the best narrators in the business!

Entertaining, but a little corny

Goode narrator although at times it was hard to distinguish between the different characters' voices. Overall an entertaining audiobook but a little corny and predictable. I would still recommend it.

what a great listen

This is one of those books I have a hard time to say good-bye to, when finished. The narritting was pleasant, the voice was friendly and captivating. This book gives a good insight of daily life in the 50s and treats the reader as a welcomed guest or long time friend. The personages were each well described. This was my first book by Adriana Trigiani and I can not wait to use my next credits to other books by her.