Savage Cows & Cabbage Leaves : An Italian Life

by Marie Alafaci

In 1927, a four-year-old Carmela Barbaro arrived in Melbourne with her mother after a long sea voyage, during which she was almost kidnapped, and met her father for the first time. He had left Calabria two months after the wedding and it had taken him nearly five years to save the money to bring his wife and child to Australia, while supporting them in their village back in Italy. With great nostalgic appeal, this rich narrative texture is enhanced by photographs, newspaper clippings, family tales and traditional Calabrian recipes. Above all, this is an engaging and compelling read, a memoir of great liveliness and charm. This biography, written by a descendant of Carmela's, follows the fortunes of the family, until her eighteenth birthday on the eve of World War II. They faced hardship, prejudice and poverty, but their story is full of humor, passion and the joy of living. It is a celebration of one woman's growing up in pre-war Melbourne and an intimate portrait of an immigrant family. Carmelo Barbaro, now Carmel Maggiore and in her seventies, is the author's mother's eldest sister. Marie Alafaci was always impressed by her great-aunt's character and personality, and was struck by the clarity of her recall. She began asking her about the past and became so fascinated with the family's story that she spent several years researching in archives, newspapers, diaries and family ephemera to create a fascinating biographical portrait set clearly in the social and historical context of the times.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Bonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. A look into early European immigration into Australia and in particular one family's life as they raised a family here. The prejudice, injustice and all that goes with it was is told from Alafaci's perspective and memories from her childhood, growing up Italian in Australia. I loved this book.

[Margaret Stickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

FASCINATING BOOK THAT TAKES YOU BACK TO THE 1920 AND EARLY 30S UP TO AROUND 1950. The story is told by a niece of a young 4 year old who came to Australia Melbourne to meet her father and begin a new life with her mother who she had all to her self since birth. The way in which Italian immigrants lived and saved scrimped and saved during the depression years. A really great story.

[Ruth 'N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read but, also sad that they had such a hard life.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable portrayal of Italian life in Australia during the early 1900's