A review by stingo
The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani

3.0

A period piece/romance that highlights the Italian American experience as lived in Roseto, PA from the late 1920's to the the early 1970's. The novel tells the story of the Castelluca family, but focuses on the middle daughter (of 5) Antonella (Nella), the first person narrator. Through Nella's eyes we see how important family and community is to her and her sisters as well as consequences of tough life decisions. She is strong throughout it all, if a bit too precocious at the beginning. While it's not a book I would have picked for myself, I did like it and would try another if it came with a strong recommendation.