Greetings Folks - Right before I left Louisiana, I checked out a book from the library. I quickly read it with the hopes of rereading it later. I had to return it before I flew back to California. It was good! However, I can't think of the title or the author.
Maybe you'll recognize this novel from my description. It takes place in Italy during World War One. The main character is the town buffoon who is quite inventive. He creates a bicycle out of parts he's found. He lets everyone ride this bike but the one person he has a crush on won't ride it. He's quite pursuasive and eventually she decides to ride it. When she does, she feels a wonderful sense of freedom. She and the town clown begin secretely seeing each other. She is the most beautiful woman in the tiny Italian village. Her family owns the local store. He takes care of his ailing mother.
They fall very much in love. The village is on a main road and the family is fearful as the war progresses. They pack up and move to an older aunt's farm. In time, he (and I can't think of his name) decides to try to go up to the village but he and his mother were robbed and they turned back. All the buildings in the town were devastated by the war. He decides to build back his girlfriend's family store and their home. When they eventually return, they are the only people with a house.
This does not endear the family to him. They still feel he is not a good match for their beautiful and favorite daughter. When a young man returns from America, bragging about how rich he and his family have become in New York, the family pushes her to marry him. She doesn't want to but the family threatens to disown her.
As time progresses, the town clown becomes a tailor after a long apprenticeship with an uncle. He marries the beautiful woman's older sister.
This book may even have been made into a movie. It has that feel to it. The author was Italian and a first time novelist. However, the book may have been written several years ago and he could have written other books by now. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? Thanks! Salud
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Comments: 39
(Try this - ask your librarian! Maybe you can access your borrowing data online - shrug - be creative and you'll find it. Then call this a book review and repost!)
(Did you see the movie "Nuevo Mundo" ? (aka Golden Door) It has a similar feeling as your description of the book...)
It has been so long (!) since I have given myself over to a lovely work of fiction. Alas.
KT
Look too for "Girl in the Café" while you're at it.
In this particular story, the family consists of several sisters - and one brother. Two of the brothers have already gone off to war and only one returns after the war. The family as is the custom wants the older sisters married off - however, the youngest who was a blonde and the most beautiful was always being pursued by the men in the town. She falls in love with the one who gave her the opportunity to taste the freedom of the euphoric bike ride. Salud
Nuevo Mundo (2006) was not made in 1900 - it is about a family set in 1900.
I have ordered Bread and Tulips - thank you!
Bread and Tulips sounds a bit like "Shirley Valentine" One of my favorites.
Your story sounds lovely - don't despair - the title will come to you.
KT
http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Maddalena-Christopher-Castellani/dp/0425196429/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258659732&sr=1-1
by Christopher Castellani. It sounds like what you're looking for, but WWII.
It's about 3 children who get separated from their parents somehow and their journey to walk home across country. Along the way they have many adventures and learn many lessons. I think all the children were under 12. It was called the Long Way Home, or something like that, but I've never been able to find it under that title. It was probably written in 1950-1970. Ring any bells for anyone?