The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani is an epic novel–a story about family, love, work, relationships, home, and so much more.
The story follows characters throughout various stages of life and is split into three parts: Italian Alps, Manhattan, and Minnesota. From the author:
“The Shoemaker’s Wife has been my artistic obsession. I have long been fascinated by my grandparents love story because it was a dance with fate. It’s one of those stories that had so many near misses against the landscape of world events that it’s a wonder they got together at all. My challenge was to present their world to you, beginning in the Italian Alps in 1905 in all its truth and particularity so it might feel it was happening in the moment. The story had to feel fresh, progressive and airy. I wanted my reader to have the experience I had when stories were told to me by the woman who lived them.” (Source)
This was a very lyrical story and I grew to care about the characters. I was so entrenched in the story and so wanted to finish it (and it was due back to the library!) that I woke up early on Sunday and sat reading at the kitchen table for 2 hours – time flew and I needed a box of tissues by my side. The ending was very sad and heart-felt but don’t let that dissuade you from reading the book!
Here’s a great video that tells you more about Trigiani’s inspiration for the book:
It’s going to be hard to top The Shoemaker’s Wife so it’s back to my bookshelves to find my next read! It’s going to be a push to make it to 50 Books in 2012!
Apples and Arteries 
I love Adriana Trigiani. Have you read her Big Stone Gap series? If not, I highly recommend all four books in the series. They are so good!
Sounds like a great one – I love Italy and lyrical writing so I’m adding this to my list – thank you!
That sounds like such a good book — have to check it out! I love when you find a book like that where it’s so good you kind of don’t want to start another one. I’ve been on a kick of re-reading my Jodi Picoult books.
Sounds like a good one!