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) 

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!!

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.

Brilliant writing - Lucia beautiful inside and out

Would you listen to Lucia, Lucia again? Why?

The character of Lucia was well developed,as were those of her family and friends, especially her boss Delmarr, who I particularly liked. Lucia, although very Italian was trying to cut off her "old world ties" and live in this wonderful New World she had been placed in. She is very talented and wants to take her life into her own hands, but.... The story keeps flowing and has some twists and unexpected happenings.

What did you like best about this story?

I felt that Lucia was a very real heroine. Her poise, loyalty and grace made her decisions understandable and it is so hard to understand her if one is self-centered. I felt I learned a heart warming lesson through Lucia. You will love the story.

Have you listened to any of Cassandra Campbell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't, but her performance was good.

Any additional comments?

This book is worth a credit.

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.

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.

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! :)

Very 1950's Italian American

A good read. Gives good details about 1940's and 50's Italian Americans. Most of the story was very predictable, but the end had a nice surprise.
I liked Roccoco better.

This book is a joy to read

I love this book! Captures the time period, and, more specifically, the women of the time in such a charming and thoughtful way. Great story line, through to the end. 5 stars.

Lighthearted & Easy to Enjoy

Lighthearted & Easy to Enjoy

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.