Our Roots Are Deep with Passion

August 14, 2006
This collection of essays on being Italian-American (or in some cases, an Italian in America or an American in Italy) is filled with imagery and topics of not only food and wine but Catholicism, immigration and linguistics. In a poetic tale of family and forced immigration with Catholic and culinary undertones, Louise DeSalvo's " 'MBriago" is the collection's opener as well as a literary high point. In "Sacrifice," Maria Laurino writes of an Italian-American who sacrifices her life to care for her disabled son; Edvige Giunta describes her native Sicily in "The Walls of Gela." Almost every essay in the collection explores the notion of someone surrendering a major part of themselves (their homeland, their identity, their childhood, their Saturday afternoons, their happiness) for the greater good of their family. The stories are inspiring, but they also give the collection a bittersweet flavor. In the end, this welcome collection challenges preconceived notions about Italian-Americans.

December 15, 2006
This thoroughly enjoyable and instructive essay collection also serves as Volume 30 of the literary journal Creative Nonfiction. Gutkind (founding editor, Creative Nonfiction) and Herman (creative writing, Manhattanville Coll.) either performed their editing duties superbly, had an enormous pile of writing talent from which to pick, or some combination of both circumstances judging from the engrossing results. Actor Joe Mantegna's humorous and articulate foreword provides an eloquent prelude. "'Mbriago," Louise DeSalvo's notable opening piece, is seamless writing interwoven with childhood memory and Italian history. Maria Laurino's "Sacrifice" explores numerous feminine and societal quandaries, including motherhood, determining one's identity, and prioritizing conflicting roles. Unsurprisingly, many of the essays feature food and cooking as integral to a diverse Italian American experience. Sandra M. Gilbert, for example, in "Bitter Herbs?", presents a brief catalog of culinary spices accompanied by memories of family, while Stephanie Susnjara offers an absorbing ode to the potency and seductive beauty of garlic in "Allium Longicuspis." Essential for multicultural collections; an engaging read and highly recommended for academic or public libraries.Stacey Rae Brownlie, Lititz P.L., PA

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