Blog Tour - Between the Cracks - A Novel by Carmela Cattuti

Publication Date: August 20, 2013
Three Towers Press/HenschelHAUS Publishing, Inc.
Paperback; 324p
ISBN-10: 1595982396


Join Angela Lanza as she experiences the tumultuous world of early 20th century Sicily and New York. Orphaned by the earthquake and powerful eruption of Mr. Etna in 1908, Angela is raised in the strict confines of an Italian convent. Through various twists of fate, she is married to a young Italian man whom she barely knows, then together with her spouse, immigrates to the U.S. This novel is an invitation to accompany the young Angela as she confronts the ephemeral nature of life on this planet and navigates the wide cultural gaps between pre-World War II Italy and the booming prosperity of dynamic young America. Join Angela Lanza as she traverses the tumultuous landscape of Sicily and New York.

My Review
I am always fascinated with novels about women who have left their lifelong homes and families to follow husbands to North America to start a new life. My mother was one of those women, having crossed alone to join her husband in Canada. One cannot imagine the heartache of leaving the security of parents and siblings and extended family and live relatively alone. In Between the Cracks, we are given insight into the plight of a young girl named Angela Lana, the author's aunt, who was orphaned by the December 1908 earthquake that struck Messina  on the island of Sicily and Reggio Calabria Italy. 123,000 lives were lost that day, including Angela's entire family.



Angela searches for her sister, but cannot find her. She is taken in by the nuns in a local convent who raise her until she comes of age. 

That's when a handsome young Italian American man returns to Sicily to find himself a wife. The moment he sees Angela, he is certain she is the woman for him. With Angela's consent and the approval of the Mother Superior, the wedding takes place and soon Angela finds herself crossing the ocean to a new life with all the struggles and joy that it entails.
This novel was an easy read, but full of poignant emotion, struggles, and simple joys. The author has captured the life of the Italian immigrant with vibrant accuracy. Angela is a compelling character. For her, life is not easy, but Angela embraces her new family and her new life, willing to work hard and succeed. Her search for her sister continues as a theme throughout the story and they return to Sicily years after to look for her once more. And then there are secondary characters like her loving hard-working husband, her misguided mother-in-law, her darling step-daughter, all with their faults and idiosyncracies.
I loved this book. It was enjoyable, multi-layered, and heart-wrenching. The scenes of the earthquake's aftermath were vividly described, bringing to life the devastation and feelings of loss. I highly recommend this book! Especialy if you have Italian roots. Unputdownable! 

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About the AuthorCarmela Cattuti started her writing career as a journalist for the Somerville News in Boston, MA. After she finished her graduate work in English Literature from Boston College she began to write creatively and taught a journal writing course at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education As fate would have it, she felt compelled to write her great aunt’s story. “Between the Cracks” has gone through several incarnations and will now become a trilogy. This is the first installment. To connect with Carmela email hercattutic@gmail.com or leave a comment at betweenthecracksnovel.blogspot.com.
For more information please visit Carmela's website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Visit the Between the Cracks Facebook page.
Follow the TourMonday, February 10Review at Oh, for the Hook of a BookGiveaway at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, February 11Review at Kinx’s Book NookSpotlight & Giveaway at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
Wednesday, February 12Review at History and WomenGuest Post & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection
Thursday, February 13Guest Post at Broken Teepee
Friday, February 14Review at Just One More Chapter