Today I have a review of The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames, now available from Ecco Books!
My Thoughts:
Where to even begin? I’m surprised I don’t see more five star reviews for this perfectly-written compelling story of an Italian immigrant family. The author is also an editor, and it shows in the clear, intentional writing. I read Stella Fortuna’s story over a couple weeks alongside other books, and it’s unusual for me to take that long to read a book. It was easy for me to pick up and hard to put down with each session. At the beginning, there’s a learning curve because there are several characters with similar names, but there’s a family tree included that helps with that.
The story begins with the birth of the first Mariastella Fortuna, born to young parents, Antonio and Assunta in Calabria, Italy. I learned so much about Calabria’s history. After the first Mariastella passes away, another daughter is born, and she is also Mariastella, a second chance for these parents, especially the mother, to protect her. This Stella, however, has several brushes with death over her lifespan; seven or eight incidents, in fact. That’s only part of the story.
The heart of this story is the living, breathing characters and the shifting and evolving family dynamics between them. They move from Italy to America and adjust to a new country together, some better than others. Antonio, the father, is demanding and wants not only his wife, but his daughters, too, to be submissive to his authority.
Both World Wars happen; one while the family lives in Italy, the other while they are living in America. It is deeply, movingly a story of family, and it’s no coincidence the story is told insightfully by a family member. It felt so authentic, so raw and achingly real, that I just knew I would find out it was inspired by fact and the author’s own family once I read the author’s note.
There’s so much to tell you and so much I want to leave out about this epic story. There are more strengths than I could take the time to list here. I have read few books of this caliber, that nail why I read. The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna is a remarkable, indelible story of sisterhood, family, forgiveness, and strength over any hardship or adversity.
Trigger warning: Abuse, though it is not gratuitous and is not what the book is about.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Book:
In this stunning debut novel, a young woman tells the story behind two elderly sisters’ estrangement, unraveling family secrets stretching back a century and across the Atlantic to early 20th century Italy
For Stella Fortuna, death has always been a part of life. Stella’s childhood is full of strange, life-threatening incidents—moments where ordinary situations like cooking eggplant or feeding the pigs inexplicably take lethal turns. Even Stella’s own mother is convinced that her daughter is cursed or haunted.
In her rugged Italian village, Stella is considered an oddity—beautiful and smart, insolent and cold. Stella uses her peculiar toughness to protect her slower, plainer baby sister Tina from life’s harshest realities. But she also provokes the ire of her father Antonio: a man who demands subservience from women and whose greatest gift to his family is his absence.
When the Fortunas emigrate to America on the cusp of World War II, Stella and Tina must come of age side-by-side in a hostile new world with strict expectations for each of them. Soon Stella learns that her survival is worthless without the one thing her family will deny her at any cost: her independence.
In present-day Connecticut, one family member tells this heartrending story, determined to understand the persisting rift between the now-elderly Stella and Tina. A richly told debut, The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna is a tale of family transgressions as ancient and twisted as the olive branch that could heal them.
Have you read The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
I know that feeling. There are so many books I’m amazed with, only to realize later people didn’t feel the same awe as I. But I learned that sometimes, some readers would take point off for the abuse, or consider the similar names unprofessional, or just not enjoy the story telling or something that niggled. After all, every reader will see a different world in the same book.
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That’s true, Jina, and totally understandable. I thought this book was pretty perfect. ♥️
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I had no idea what this story was about so thanks for featuring, Jennifer! I gasped when I saw the mother’s name, Assunta, as that was the name of our dear neighbor when we lived in Naples and you don’t see it often. It sounds like such an intriguing story that I’ll definitely check out.
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Oh, that’s so special, Jonetta! If I recall correctly, her full name was Asuncion, as in the Assumption. I loved this book. It’s just outstanding.
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Lovely picture and wonderful review, Jennifer. I cannot wait to read this Italy historical fiction. Happy Tuesday! 🍇🌸🌻💕📚🥰😘
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Thank you, Virginia! I hope you enjoy this special story as much as I did! ♥️
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Oh another one I somehow missed! Lovely review Jen! Off to the library to see if I can get my grubby paws on this one! Happy Tuesday my friend!☕🍁🙋🌞💜
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Thanks, Sus! I hope you can! It’s so special to me. I’ll never forget it. I hope you’ve had a lovely HOT Tuesday! ♥️
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Wonderful review, Jennifer. I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while but just haven’t gotten a chance. I’m so glad you loved it and it sounds wonderful. I hope you’re having a great week so far! 💗
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Thanks, Steph! I can imagine you loving this, too. It’s so well-written and engrossing. I’m hanging in there and hope you are too! 💕
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I’ve never heard of this but it sounds amazing! And such a pretty cover😁 Thanks for sharing!
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I love that cover, too, Tammy! It really was an amazing story!
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Beautiful review, Jen! This is one I need to add. Love your beautiful picture too. 💜
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Thanks so much, M! I sincerely hope if this interests you at all you’ll give it a read. It’s SO beautifully written. An epic story of family.
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Wonderful review!
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Thanks, Nicki!
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Ah this sounds like a fantastic read. I shall add it to my TBR. So glad you enjoyed it, and nice review 🙂
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Thanks, Stephen! I really hope you get a chance to read it!
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This sounds like an emotional one. It must have affected you as well, going by the review. Thanks for the recommendation, Jennifer ❤
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Thanks, Jacquie! It was definitely emotional and powerful.
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It is great when a story makes such a strong impression and you managed to translate that impression to a strong and wonderful review.
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Thank you! That’s so kind of you! I had to go all out for this book. It was deserving!
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Ah I love reading Italian-American stories that extend beyond the typical crime or mafia-themed story, so I need to read this. On my list! 🙂
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I would love to know your reaction to this one, LP! I really loved it so much.
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I would love to read this book, Jennifer. Thank you so much for reviewing it. My great-grandparents were all born in Italy, so I am very interested in reading this book! Hope you had a great day! 💚
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I hope you get a chance, Kris. It was such a beautiful and compelling story. I loved it. I hope you had a great day too!
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Definitely have this book on my radar. It sounds amazing. Love your review of it!
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Thanks, Marialyce! It was such a good read. I hope you get a chance to check it out.
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Great review, Jennifer! Have seen this book around, but never picked it up. I don’t mind slow beginnings as long as it has a nice buildup and a great story that follows! Plus I love the colors in this cover!
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Thanks, Jee! I think you may like this one because of the storytelling. I love that cover too!
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I hadn’t heard of this book before, but it does sound like it would be something I’d enjoy. Wonderful review! 🙂
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Thanks, Chrissi! It’s so good, I happen to think you’ll love it!
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This sounds like a beautiful story Jennifer. I had not heard of it, but it does look interesting. I am going to add it to my TBR and depending on whether the library gets it or not will determine if I give it a go. I love you review and the picture of course.
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Thank you so much, Carla! I hope you are able to find it. It’s too special to miss!
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Sounds great – I love books that teach you about a different place and culture. Is it just me, though, or has there been a spate of books called The Seven Deaths of… recently?
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I noticed that, too, with the title, and the two books could not be more different. I enjoyed Evelyn Hardcastle, but this one was so much less confusing! 😂
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Sounds interesting – the cover is lovely. Your review helps a lot because it seems there are several books out there with deaths in the name so it always makes me hesitant. But this sounds like a great armchair traveling candidate…Italy!!! 😍
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It’s a different take on Italy as a setting and more than half takes places in the US, BUT it’s such a beautiful book, Shell. I just loved it so much.
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