Giusi Castagnetta Castagnetta itibaren 840 73 Västerede, Sweden itibaren 840 73 Västerede, Sweden

I attended a Women's Creativity Conference at Quinnipiac University where the author of this book presented her thoughts on writing memoir as well as a description of this particular book. After she closed, at least 20 people purchased the book immediately. It reads very quickly. As a resident of Connecticut, the historical and geographical data was personally relevant, and pleasantly presented comfortably within the context of the story. The clips of the two stories that she tells here were expertly measured and drawn and when the major characters of each finally crossed paths, it was not too soon, nor too late. Mary-Ann's depiction of herself coming of age in a Northeastern town where gender and cultural distinctions were very clear if not fair is very telling in the face of the national battles that eventually ensued on both fronts. Her facing and then finding a constructive way to deal with the unspeakable tragedy that befell her community is hopeful. Highly recommend.