Book Review - The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames

This is the story of Mariastella Fortuna, the second. The original Stella died when she was just a toddler andwhen her father, who had emigrated to America, came back for a visit bringing unidentified (probable Flu) germs with him. Stella the second experiences odd brushes with death, despite her mother's best efforts to ward off the evil. The family lives in rural Calabria, in southern Italy, and eventually Antonio Fortuna demands his wife and children emigrate to America. Life is hard for the Fortuna's in Italy, as Antonio does not send money home. Life in America is harder as well as unfamiliar, though, and all of the family members pitch in, moved along with Stella's forward thinking, to make enough money to buy the family a home. Stella swears she will never marry or be at the mercy of any man, but her father changes the course of the life Stella wants for herself.

Stella and her sister Tina are close in age, and close in everything they do. Eventually after many years, the unthinkable happens and the sisters have a "blood" feud which causes them to become enemies. Their lives are so entwined that their family members can spend time with just one of them at a time. The story spans close to 100 years, and a lot of history and a lot of events happen that lead up to the events in their lives - they are 95 and 96 years old when the story opens; the feud has been going on for 30 years.

It is not a pretty story of redemption, la dolce vita in the Italian hillsides, or in Connecticut where the family settles after Tony's summons. It is a messy tale, not easy to read of both physical and mental abuse as well as incest. Yet there is so much truth in families with hidden jealousies, thoughts, dashed hopes and dreams; things taken for granted that are not necessary best we have to offer. It is the story of great beauty that fades, of small moments that can affect an entire life in good and bad ways. It is the story of Italian Immigrant lives, hardship, and joys. It left me feeling sad for those small moments wasted that cannot ever be made up. It's a book that makes one think, and consider, and maybe appreciate a little more some of life's better moments.

I was given the book from Net Galley in exchange for a review. I am glad I read it and can review it, but it is not a tale that is easily read, and it will not leave the reader wishing for more. It is a tale of truth and of life and of death.