The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna: A Novel

I began this book as soon as I received it in the mail and I didn't stop reading until I finished it, including at work! (Shhh!) It's not a thriller-type page turner, but it IS a page turner. The story starts in a tiny village in Italy before WWII (and I kept picturing the village that Strega Nona from the children's book lived in as the story unfolded) and ends in a suburb in Connecticut. The story goes through a lot of twists and turns as the plot develops but fundamentally I would describe this book as one about a modern woman who was born into a culture and family that couldn't accept that a woman might need more than just a husband and a house and a litter of children to find happiness. I think a lot of readers will be shocked at being reminded about how much really has changed for women in the last 100 years and how stifling it was to live in a world where your father and husband could control your every move. The book is also interesting because it is being narrated in the modern day by the main character's granddaughter, who had largely assumed that her grandmother was just a "typical" old lady, cranky, living in suburbia, in the midst of a large Italian clan. I've assumed the same about so many of the elderly women I've met, mostly the grandmothers and grand-aunts of friends and this book made me think more deeply about the stories they likely have to tell. I think this would be a great Mother's Day gift or present for one's mother or grandmother. Even though its 300 pages, they are a quick read because the writing is very clear and the plot moves fast. Definitely recommend!

For those interested in stories with queer protagonists, here is one you might overlook as reviewers have not been discussing this topic. Though Stella and her narrator don't use modern language to talk about it, she is an aromantic and a sex repulsed asexual who ends up suffering marital rape. While some of her family is sympathetic about her asexuality, her aromantic identity is completely dismissed by her family and culture. The exception, of course, is our narrator who shows us that Stella's identity and its dismissal is one of the fundamental arcs of her story. Not an empowering story about queer identity, but a compelling history about the difficulties of life for queer folk in recent generations.

Beautifully written, sweeping in scope, Grames' novel is one of the best books I've read this year. The read is not always comfortable -- these are Italian immigrants struggling first in the hills of Calabria and then in the new world and there is violence and abuse at a few points in the novel -- but it is very real. I think this is a book that fans of "Olive Kitteridge", "Big Stone Gap", or (and I mean it) "The Color Purple" will enjoy. It's a powerful book that you will think about long after turning the last page.

There was so much material in this novel - that could have been developed! The characters especially were never developed - you were always left waiting for a sincere, human reaction by what had been done to them or what had happened. Author definitely has a talent to write, but I think she squandered that talent. The story was so completely unorganized. It did not flow. I purchased the book because it was advertised as a story of an Italian family immigrating to Hartford, CT. I was raised in the area so I was interested. The author's glibness created more confusion for example her comment on one of Stella's accidents as Stella's 'lobotomy'. The 'father's' acts were horrific, and not taken seriously throughout the story, and as a result he was 'normalized'. Stella is painted throughout the story as such a strong woman, yet it was never proven but rather she continued to allow herself to remain as a victim. Bull, the author never really elaborated on what were Stella's dreams other than moving out of her parent's home. All of the men were painted as violent jerks, was this the author's intentions?

What a great story! My heart went out to Stella so many times, she had just pain from her relationship with her Father, so sad. But she also had such joy, and she was so strong and courageous and so loving and loyal. This book tells the tale of what I suspect many of our Immigrant Grandmother's went thru some version of to make our lives better. After reading this book I sent thank you's to those Grandmothers for all they sacrificed so we have what we do today. Read the book-you'll like it.

This story is about the amazing journey of an immigrant's family from Calabria to Connecticut during the 1940's. Excellent writing and character development with accurate historical research.Stella could have been my Greek immigrant mother's counterpart (minus the physical abuse). I especially loved the detailed description of the sisters' harvesting of olives and chestnuts in their village of Ievoli.The emotions of love, compassion, jealousy, and hate come alive in the relationships between the members of this complicated family. Although the reader is often immersedinto a very dark side of the Fortunas, I also found myself enveloped in the warmth, humor, and love of this large, tight-knit Italian family. I especially enjoyed the cooking lessons given by Auntie Tina to her great niece. "Don't worry," Tina says, "once you put the meatballs in the soup, no one will know you made them."This story will stay with me for a long time.I should also mention that I was born and raised in the same hometown as the Fortunas, and still live here today.

This book held me from beginning to end to the point I ended up buying it so I could read again. That is rare for me. If you like something a little dark, unusual and spun from an author’s fantastic imagination please read. If you only like happy, fairy tale books, this isn’t for you.

Characters really came to life and made for an interesting read

Sometimes a bit heavy going at times but a good read in terms of Italian- American immigrant history and culture

not my usual genre but I absolutely loved this book its written so well I almost couldn't put it down

Good book kept me interested until last page

Shocks in store, but un-put-downable.