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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I picked this book up because I am a sucker for an unusual title.
The Fortuna family agrees that Stella definitely died 7 times. They disagree on whether or not to count drowning at sea. This is the story that takes you from the time of Stella's birth in a remote Italian mountain village shortly after World War I until her later years as a widow in the north eastern United States. Over the course of her life, Stella has had many blessings, but she has also faced many hardships - including her deaths.
Trigger warning: rape, domestic violence
The Fortuna family agrees that Stella definitely died 7 times. They disagree on whether or not to count drowning at sea. This is the story that takes you from the time of Stella's birth in a remote Italian mountain village shortly after World War I until her later years as a widow in the north eastern United States. Over the course of her life, Stella has had many blessings, but she has also faced many hardships - including her deaths.
Trigger warning: rape, domestic violence
This is hands down, one of best book I've read recently. Cannot recommend it enough. I loved loved loved it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyed this book a lot, mostly because it was not the type of book I often read. It also spurred my interest in Italian American immigration, which is not an area I’m super familiar with. So, I’m thankful to have learned a little along the way!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good but not great
A whimsical coming to America story told over a century. Overall it was interesting but left me wanting more. I had a hard time getting past a central plot point about unresolved sexual trauma because I just felt very frustrated by the character's lack of insight and stubborness, but I suppose that's how I was supposed to feel
A whimsical coming to America story told over a century. Overall it was interesting but left me wanting more. I had a hard time getting past a central plot point about unresolved sexual trauma because I just felt very frustrated by the character's lack of insight and stubborness, but I suppose that's how I was supposed to feel
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautifully written but horribly sad. TW//SA
This was much darker than expected. I know it’s all about how she almost died multiple times but I thought it would be a light-hearted kind of thing, like oh the boat she was supposed to take sank, not her guts were literally ripped open by pigs.
I was not emotionally prepared for her husband or father’s awful deeds. Life for women back then really was slavery.
There were happy moments too but damn this was a downer.
I was not emotionally prepared for her husband or father’s awful deeds. Life for women back then really was slavery.
There were happy moments too but damn this was a downer.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really absorbing and well written!
I love the way this book weaves together the stories of multiple generations while mainly focusing on one member of the family. Very interesting details about life in small-town Italy in the early 20th century, immigration to the U.S., integration into American society, and how the lives of women were ruled by men for so many years. Very heartbreaking at many points - very slightly redundant/boring at times with so many details, but overall very readable and enjoyable.