The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna: A Novel

I began this book as soon as I received it in the mail and I didn't stop reading until I finished it, including at work! (Shhh!) It's not a thriller-type page turner, but it IS a page turner. The story starts in a tiny village in Italy before WWII (and I kept picturing the village that Strega Nona from the children's book lived in as the story unfolded) and ends in a suburb in Connecticut. The story goes through a lot of twists and turns as the plot develops but fundamentally I would describe this book as one about a modern woman who was born into a culture and family that couldn't accept that a woman might need more than just a husband and a house and a litter of children to find happiness. I think a lot of readers will be shocked at being reminded about how much really has changed for women in the last 100 years and how stifling it was to live in a world where your father and husband could control your every move. The book is also interesting because it is being narrated in the modern day by the main character's granddaughter, who had largely assumed that her grandmother was just a "typical" old lady, cranky, living in suburbia, in the midst of a large Italian clan. I've assumed the same about so many of the elderly women I've met, mostly the grandmothers and grand-aunts of friends and this book made me think more deeply about the stories they likely have to tell. I think this would be a great Mother's Day gift or present for one's mother or grandmother. Even though its 300 pages, they are a quick read because the writing is very clear and the plot moves fast. Definitely recommend!

After reading several reviews, from those with Italian heritages, stating this book accurately depicts what life was like for many old world Italians who emigrated to America, I have to assume it is a reliable historical description of that time period and the experience of one such family; but I found the story depressing. I'm not sure how anyone can describe this as an "enjoyable read". There's not much "enjoyable" about this story. Interesting? Yes. Enjoyable? No. Despite its depressing storyline, it is well written and apparently gives us a true picture of the difficulties encountered by this Italian family as they struggled with their old-world way of life in their small village in Italy to their life in America under the strict rule of 'the man of the house' and their cultural norms that limited women's freedoms and protection from domestic violence. The main character is Stella. She is a troubled individual that can never find happiness in her oppressed world. She is terribly abused by her father and develops a hatred for men. She lives an unfulfilled life and ends up a bitter alcoholic. If you're looking for a story with a happy ending, this is not the book for you.

This book was fast paced. I read it in 2 days and I haven't been able to finish a book once started in a year. What appeals to me was everything. I enjoyed the scenery of the Calabrian hillsides because my parents came from a few miles away from Ievola. I enjoyed the spurts of the Calabrese language, as I grew up with that very same language. I enjoyed the time period as it reflex the time period of my parents and grandparents. The hardship of leaving love ones behind as emigrating to America was true to my family stories. The hardship of learning new cultures and language hits home also. This book reads like a true story account. The characters are so well developed that they seem real. I often wondered how the entire family slept in one bed. I asked my Mom about that, she just shrugged. The evil eye parts were familiar to me too, as I learned the antidote prayers on Christmas Eve, as that is the only day it can be taught. And best of all, the hospitality, opening your home to visitors, everyone was welcome. Thank you for writing this book Juliet Grames. If you have another one like this, I'll read it!

Yikes. I had to take a few breaks reading this book. It’s incredibly heavy and the ending leaves you feeling empty! I’ve looked at a few different reviews, and I have to agree that the beginning of this book was incredibly interesting. I loved reading about Stella’s childhood and learning about her Italian village/culture. I even felt that the emigration and the working in Connecticut was interesting as well. It helps you to understand what people went through to come to America. However, the final third of the book dies with the spirit of the main character. Stella is a strong main character and she seems like more of a fighter than what the writer gives her credit for. It seems as though the character development comes to a halt. Like the main character, I felt like I was given a lobotomy and dragged through the rest of the story. So much was left undeveloped. For instance, why was there so much detail in Bernadette’s search for a dog? Why did we see a window into this young girls life, while most of the other children were ignored, just for her to be completely unimportant in the end? For all of the adventure and near death we went through, the ending was so disappointing. There was no reconciliation. I understand that maybe the main characters would be too far gone, but what about the later generations? What has been learned from these awful histories? What has been corrected and changed? Did we learn something about sisterhood, fatherhood, misogyny, or conformity in the end? Or do we just ignore it and make meatballs? I loved this story at first because it reminded me of the stories told in my family. It is written well (though unconventionally). However, it came to a dull halt. I wish it had been longer and I wish we would have seen a spark of hope or lessons learned in the end. I’m sad to feel like Stella, a once strong character, was left to die in her fathers house. On the other hand, I’m sure there are plenty of women who have similar stories, with the same tragic endings. Maybe this kind of story just isn’t meant for me.

I liked reading this book. Kept telling my husband about the 'deaths' as I finished a chapter. The book/story just kept pulling me back to read more. It was enjoyable to read. Nothing overly draining, but yet interesting enough to want to know more about her life. Worth reading if interested in semi-light books - traumas but not pages and pages and pages of it. More about what the subject/people felt, saw, reactions etc.

Great little read, and learned a little about Italian immigrants to America between the wars.

I am in the process of reading this book. I am finding it quite interesting and am enjoying the story.

A very unusual, raw and powerful dissection of the female experience in Calabria and the USA. Brilliant characterisations: I can't recall another recent book in which the people are so real, individual and who stay with you intact. Stella, Tina, Assunto exist! And the men: appalling Tony, kind Carmelo, and perfect pen pictures of the rabble of kids. A triumph. (And essential reading for anyone interested in Calabria.) Elena Ferrante has a peer!

Very moving and shocking story written by Stella’s granddaughter.