Books like The queen of the big time by Adriana Trigiani
From the small village of Bari in Italy to the close‑knit town of Roseto, Pennsylvania, Adriana Trigiani follows three generations of the Castelluca family as they rebuild their old‑world lives on the American continent. The central event of the town is the annual celebration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, called the "Big Time," during which the girls of Roseto compete to be its queen. The story centers on Nella, the middle daughter of five, who longs for a genteel life in town but finds herself caught in a passionate romance with Renato Lanzara, the charismatic heir of a prominent Roseto family. Her hopes are dashed when Renato disappears, only to return four years later on the eve of her wedding, forcing Nella and her family to confront love, loyalty, and the weight of legacy. Trigiani’s detailed, affectionate portrait of small‑town life illuminates the challenges and triumphs of maintaining family traditions while navigating personal desires.
First publish date: 2004
Genre: Historical Fiction/19th Century Historical Fiction
Authors: Adriana Trigiani
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