THE BOOK

Famiglia...family is family, like it or not!

  
A brother and sister depart war-torn Italy in 1947 and cross the Atlantic to reunite with their father in Benton, New Jersey.  As the seasick brunette dreams of eligible Americani, the young fellow dreads the prospect of dealing with his cantankerous Papà.  Meanwhile, in Benton, another Italian-American family bickers over mundane issues with burlesque animation.  Partnerships test the patience of the brothers and domesticity puts the women at odds.

These economically disparate clans, the Camara and the Matteo families, cross paths after Teresa Camara literally bumps into love-starved Mack Matteo.  Instead of letting their mutual attraction evolve slowly into something more, her scheming father takes matters into his own hands, placing their relationship on course for possible disaster.

While the Camara and the Matteo households are fraught with normal sibling rivalry and shared secrets, a few obnoxious family members engage in irreverent and ludicrous behavior, causing total mayhem and discord.  One unscrupulous brother’s involvement in an embezzlement scheme leads to murder.

How the two families cope with the absurdities of love, intimacy and life unfolds in a true comedy of errors, complete with laughter and tears.

 * * * * * * * * * *  

  * * * * * * * * * * 
CHARACTER INSIGHTS

                   
                               Intent on an American, ambitious Teresa rejects immigrant suitors.

                               Though Mack struggles with his conscience, he keeps his secret.

                               Jake does whatever it takes to shut up his wife.

                               Self-centered Patricia doesn’t realize what getting her way entails.

                               Something or somebody is always weighing Frank down.
                               Dying to be the first, Genva competes with her sister-in-law.

                               Young Juliet is intent on finding a man, Italian or not.

                               Unattractive Mina uses deceitful means to entrap a husband.

                               Signore Camara connives to ensure his own interests.

                               Controlling Signora Matteo annoys her daughter-in-laws.

                               Voluptuous Anna despises the man she married.


                               Antonio doesn't know what he's getting himself into.

                               Detective Canelli’s investigation brings surprising results.

                               Iggy is such a malandrino (rascal).

                                                                                                                            * * * * * * * * * * 
Click Here to a Read Book Review by Tiziano Dossena in L'Idea Magazine