The Tale of Lucia Grandi, The early
years
By Susan Speranza
Amazon Description:
When an old
woman is asked to tell the story of her life, she tells an intense and poignant
tale about growing up in and surviving a warring suburban family during the 1950s and '60s.
Written as a memoir, each chapter describes a particular incident in Lucia's life which shows the constant struggle between her parents and the perverse effect it has on her and her family. From her complicated and unwanted birth, to her witnessing a suicide at age 3, to her stint as a runaway at age 14, the story progresses to the final crisis where as a young woman she is turned out of her house and banished from her family forever.
Told in breathtakingly beautiful prose, this is a powerful and timeless story of a dying woman's courageous attempt to come to terms with her past and the troubled family that dominated it.
This book (under its former title of "My Life in Dogs, the Early Years") was a Quarter finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. It was also on the short list of finalists in the 2012 Faulkner-Wisdom Writing Competition.
Written as a memoir, each chapter describes a particular incident in Lucia's life which shows the constant struggle between her parents and the perverse effect it has on her and her family. From her complicated and unwanted birth, to her witnessing a suicide at age 3, to her stint as a runaway at age 14, the story progresses to the final crisis where as a young woman she is turned out of her house and banished from her family forever.
Told in breathtakingly beautiful prose, this is a powerful and timeless story of a dying woman's courageous attempt to come to terms with her past and the troubled family that dominated it.
This book (under its former title of "My Life in Dogs, the Early Years") was a Quarter finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. It was also on the short list of finalists in the 2012 Faulkner-Wisdom Writing Competition.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Book
Review:
First let me
start by saying it has been a while since I have read a book from a memoir
perspective. With that being said as I read I honestly felt like I was
traveling with back in time/seeing things through her eyes as she told her
story. The story begins with Lucia now 110 Years old (WOW!!) asked to tell her
life’s story by a young woman writing her dissertation. Lucia tells her story of growing up in the
1950’s and 1960’s as the second born child in a dysfunctional family (Seriously
her parents have some ISSUES! = UNHAPPY MARRIAGE). In this book you witness Lucia’s emotional stresses , sibling rivalry’s and
even some physical abuse.
Each chapter
in this book is a different event (Life Lesson if you will) Lucia has had to
deal with. As tragic events continue to unfold in her life we witness a young
women not fold but gain strength in the face of adversity. Once the book is approaching
its end a situation occurs were Lucia is forced to LEAVE home. I remember
thinking at this point despite the situation maybe she will finally be able to
find the happiness and love she deserves!
This book
for me was a hard read. In the beginning I was drawn in but as the middle of
the book approached my ATTENTION SPAN wasn't all there. Through this whole book
I just wanted Lucia to FEEL LOVED. Her grandfather had to be one of my favorite
characters because he loved her and she loved him.
“ Perhaps I could accept the fact
that my parents did not love me, because I had the love of the one person who
had come to mean everything to me in life. My Grandfather.” – Lucia
If I had to
think of one thing that I really like about this book it would have to be the
historical points Mrs. Speranza used.
Though this is a work of fiction how she made them fit together in this
book was really good (Nope Sorry not giving any away !!!)
This book is
a pretty LENGTHY read. But the journey Lucia takes you on through her life growing
up is one not easily forgotten. At some Points in this book I found myself
Thankful/BLESSED for the life I have and the LOVE surrounding me as I grew up.
Rating: C+/3.5 Stars
***NOTE: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
***NOTE: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Add a comment »
