A beautiful historical novel that begins in the Italian Alps at the turn of the twentieth century. A love story that spans two continents. The Immigrant experience inspired by the author's own grandparents' love story. Enza and Ciro both grow up in difficult circumstances in their native Italy. Enza is the oldest in a close Italian family. She is mature beyond her years, worrying always about her family's future. Ciro and his brother loose their parents and live in a convent. They meet and fall in love but circumstances separate them yet carry both to New York City. Ciro becomes an apprentice to a shoemaker while Enza builds her own career as a seamstress and finds her way to the Metropolitan Opera House serving the great Enrico Caruso. They meet several times but life keeps them away from each other. Ciro joins the military to serve in the Great War.
This story takes us back to a time when hard work really does improve one's lot in life. A craft can make one's life and help to build family, friends and a future. The story is rich with a sense of place and time. The reader follows two very good people find their way in life and finally find their way to each other.
My only is that I thought this was to be a prequel to the author's other books about shoemakers, Very Valentine and Brava, Valentine. It is not. I kept waiting for Enza to become a woman's shoe designer but it does not happen. That was just my expectation as a reader. It is not enough to keep me from recommending this page turner to everyone.
