The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Mary Adriana Trigiani, Harper, Historical Fiction

Title:  The Shoemaker’s Wife

Author:  Adriana Trigiani

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Published:  April 2012 – Harper

My take:  Ciro and Enza grew up in the same area of Italy and that’s where they met when they were teenagers. Events kept them from being together for many years until they finally found their way to each other – in America. Ciro had been sent there because of something he witnessed back home. Enza and her father were working to earn money to build a new family home back in Italy.

The Shoemaker’s Wife is the fictionalized story of Adriana Trigiani’s grandparents. And what a story it is. It could be the story of many Americans’ grandparents. They experienced such hardships as they struggled to make a new life and yet most came through it with humility and appreciation for all they had. It made me wonder if I would be up to the same struggles as my great-grandparents who came from Ireland.

Trigiani’s detailed descriptions paint vivid pictures of the Italian and American countrysides, the gorgeous fabrics used to make costumes for the Metropolitan Opera company, and the sights and sounds of Little Italy. I found The Shoemaker’s Wife to be both heart-breaking and uplifting. The 20th century was a time of great change in America. Immigrants from all over the world played a major part in that change. Trigiani’s novel is a loving gift to her grandparents and to ours.

Recommended to:  fans of Adriana Trigiani and historical fiction.

Source:  Harper

Disclosure:  See sidebar. I was not compensated for my review.

33 thoughts on “The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani”

  4. I have loved Trigiani’s work in the past and think that I would also enjoy this one as well. I am so glad to hear that you loved it and that it was such a great read for you! Amazing review today!

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  5. Oh I do like the sound of this one. Your mentioning your grandparents coming from Ireland made me think that, yes, whenever immigration and America are mentioned in the same sentence I always think of the Irish who migrated there when in fact there were many other nationalities.

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  8. I am starting this one soon and I am anxious to see how I like it as I have never read anything of Trigiani’s before. I fell in love with the cover though!

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  9. So excited to read this one! It reminds me a bit of Trigiani’s Valentine series, but I really enjoyed those . . . so that’s okay with me. The descriptions of Italy and all the costumes will probably have me drooling!

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  11. I have really come to enjoy Adrianna Trigiani’s books. I first came across her when I found her book Very Valentine at the library. I read that one and then the next one, Brava, Valentine and loved both (and am anxiously awaiting the release of the final book in this series). I have also read Lucia, Lucia and I started her Big Stone Gap series. Have you read any of these ones?

    I am very anxious to read The Shoemaker’s Wife. Some of my favorite memories when I was younger are sitting with my grandmother and her telling me about when she met my grandfather. I miss hearing those stories now.

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  12. I totally missed this was coming out! I adore Trigiani’s books, and I need to go get this one, now! I am thinking on my Kindle sounds good. I also just want to say a big, big thank-you for leaving such caring comments on my blog–they do mean a lot to me–I jsut don’t get a chance to visit other blogs very often lately.
    *smiles*

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    • The arc is pretty hefty so you may be right about the ebook, Kim. And don’t worry about getting to visit other blogs regularly. Everyone goes through those busy times. Hope you have a relaxing weekend!

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  14. You’ve got me drooling over this one, Mary. Trigiani is such a fantastic writer – love her books!

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  15. I must read this one..I love this author’s writing so much. It always comes across as so genuine. I often wonder if I could be as strong and daring as my ancestors!!

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  17. This sound like a story with a happy ending, unfortunately many immigrants aren’t so fortunate. Thank you for a wonderful review, I shall be watching for this one.

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