Rococo

by: Adriana Trigiani

Published by: Ballantine

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann, Chanhassen (MN) Librarian

From the author of The Big Stone Gap trilogy and Lucia comes another great Italian-American family and tale.

Rococo is the story of New Jersey decorator Bartolomeo de Crespi, who is turning 40 in 1970, and discovers the decorating job he has longed for all his life, re-doing the interior of his beloved Our Lady of Fatima church, has been given to another firm. Not even a local firm!

B., as he is known to friends and family (and boy does he have a family-two sisters (one a widow, one divorced), three nephews, a niece, and a sort-of fiance), deals with the disappointment. He is shocked when Father Porporino changes his mind and awards him the contract.

New friends help out and inspire him, he takes on a nephew and one sister to help; he travels to London and to Italy for inspiration. There are a few major setbacks. Can he give up control of his "vision" to allow the help of New York fresco and stained glass artists Rufus McSherry and Pedro Alarcon? How will he overcome losing his benefactor's money halfway through the renovation? Will he find true love, or stay a bachelor?

Delightful characters, a fun rollicking story, and B.'s love of his community and family make this a great summer read.

Armchair Interviews says: The trade paperback edition has an interview and discussion questions in the back. This would be a truly enjoyable book club selection