A Song for Bellafortuna (Book) - 4/2/2019 2:58:35 PM
I couldn't really get into this story at all. I stopped a little ways in because it was quite boring to me (and books are rarely boring enough for me to stop in the middle).
A Song for Bellafortuna (Book) - 1/29/2019 9:56:21 PM
A Song for Bellafortuna is a decent story. Though I am not sure exactly what the plot of it really is? I got the feeling that it was more about the village of Bellafortuna and it people. Though it was a told though a person or persons of Sanguinetti's family.
Is seem to be more about the Giuseppe's life and his family did and trying to make it right for a fight for freedom for his village and it villagers. I did not get this until about Carlo Vasino's death and a really good friend of Giuseppe's dies who name is Baggio.
I really could not get why the book was called what it was it was about. It more about the village of Bellafortuna. The author writing is what makes me want to rate it low. Though we do get lots of history about Italy and it surrounding city with history about Bellafortuna, Sicily.
The chapters leading up to finally getting where we get to the action and why they seem to get this one favorite and greatest tenor in the world named Caruso is the most interesting part and where I could not put the book down. Before that I really could put the book down and really did not want to complete it. Though the story of love, and friendship is though out the book.
The history and scene of views is talked about and created is really can be captured this this book. This is the only thing that keeps me reading the then the action of if they villagers get that freedom?
Tempesta's Dream - A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera (Book) - 4/30/2018 9:58:28 AM
The infrequently-used black background and the appropriate cover--draws the eye. And add to these, the simple print and the author found a winning combination to market this book.
The story of Giovanni brings the reader into a world that few people will ever have intimate knowledge of. Opera is as foreign to me as the countries it represents. Reading this book helped me to understand the struggles it takes to pursue this art.
The author's use of representing opera in the story of Giovanni and the love of his life, Isabella is heart-breaking but has the ring of reality to it that the reader is swept up with these characters and how their story plays out. No less important is the food, Isabella's father, geography, and the history lessons of opera.
How Giovanni pushes through the continual disappointments and continues on his journey to be a world-class tenor, is remarkable and shows the human spirit at its best.
To read about this young man's belief and passion and then to finally feel the exhilaration of the moment he appears on the stage to thunderous applause was mesmerizing. But the surprise ending with his teacher was brilliant.
Recommend this publication to all who love to see the underdog achieve greatness and get a glimpse of the difficulties they endure to get there.
A Song for Bellafortuna (Book) - 2/23/2018 6:07:10 PM
Each time I sat down to read A Song for Bellafortuna, I could not get past the overuse of adjectives and sophomoric style. While the overall idea of the story is universal, the author’s style and craft continuously reminded me of a first draft novel in much need of an editor.
A Song for Bellafortuna (Book) - 2/9/2018 11:35:58 AM
A Song for Bellafortuna was an okay read for me. The story was good but I found it to be difficult to read at times. I think many readers would enjoy it but I just do not think it was for me. Three stars.
A Song for Bellafortuna (Book) - 11/26/2017 1:43:23 PM
A song for Bellafortuna for me was very unique.
To start with it seems to be humping about a little but thats just to introduce you to everyone and before long you see how everyone is connected. The main character is Giuseppe who adores Opera and especially the singer Caruso who he was lucky enough to meet many years before. Bellafortuna is a lovely town with very fertile soil but the locals struggle and the town is no longer the vibrant place it used to be due to the money lending family that rules the town and their high interest rates. This story follows Giuseppe and his struggles to help the town return to what it once was.
All the talk of singer Caruso inspired me to search the internet for his recordings which I was lucky enough to find and enjoy for myself.
I enjoyed reading this story and feel its a perfect read for a quiet weekend.
A Song for Bellafortuna (Book) - 11/15/2017 7:35:03 PM
This book at first was hard for me to get into. However, after continue reading it, the book was very good.
A Song for Bellafortuna (Book) - 11/11/2017 1:59:03 PM
A Song for Bellafortuna, a novel by Vincent B. "Chip" LoCoco, is set in the beautiful village of Bellafortuna, Sicily and opens in 1898. Once, the villagers were prosperous, but that changed when they found themselves under a crushing debt to the Vasaio family. Only one family, Antonio and his son Giuseppe Sanguinetti, were not in debt and did what they could to help others. Because of one song, the villagers rallied and came together to find a way to improve their lives. Finally an opportunity presented itself and there was hope for a better future. However, there were conditions and uncertainty. Were they able to be self sufficient and successful again?
On the book's back cover is written "This novel has been called lyrical, intelligent, majestic, magical, powerful and compelling." The novel is all of that and more. Everything about the story is special. The vibrant characters and their relationships are fascinating. They represent the very best of what family and community can be. The story line is masterfully crafted with just enough tension to keep the reader engrossed until the story's conclusion.
I found this book to be beautifully written and well worth reading. Highly recommended.
A Song for Bellafortuna (Book) - 10/9/2017 6:20:01 AM
A Song for Bellafortuna" told a lovely story of a small village in Sicily whose hardworking people lived a difficult life just as their ancestors did in this fertile valley where grapes and olives grew. It unfolds as a father and son bond over the beauty of their home and it's lost potential. As the son grows so does his love and appreciation for his home, family and the villagers who hold onto their dignity under seemingly impossible circumstances, a people who remembered a time when their hard labor bore rewards that now went into the pockets of a selfish, ruthless family who loaned them money to keep their farms & vineyards going when times were tough.
"A Song for Bellafortuna" is an easy read with a story that keeps you reading because you become truly attached to these people and feel their struggle. I would recommend this book, especially anyone of Italian heritage, as I found many examples of tradition and language that brought me back in time.
As I volunteered to read this book and give an honest review, I must include that I felt the writing could be so much better. Descriptions of people and places could have been given color with more depth in their portrayal. The use of more adjectives and metaphors could bring this from a good read to a blockbuster. There are such beautiful people, places that beg for more detail. The style of writing seemed more like a journal than a novel. Straight on, no embellishments.
In spite of that I liked the book and felt happy being given the opportunity to read it.
