Book Blurb:
"What Once Was Promised," is a multi-generational family saga packed with action, intrigue, love, and violence. It is a compelling story that is often inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking. Highly recommended." -Len Joy, award winning author of Dry Heat and Everyone Dies Famous.
"A moving and well-written saga of an earlier time in America." -Kirkus Reviews
"Step into the rich tapestry of early 20th-century Boston where love, friendship, and betrayal intertwine against a backdrop of political intrigue and personal vendettas." -NewInBooks. com
He came for a better life, but it didn't turn out to be an easy one.
Sixteen-year-old Domenic Bassini sets out alone for America from his small village in Italy in 1914. He falls in love during a brief onboard affair with the beautiful Francesca, the wife of a man with Sicilian Mafia connections. But he loses her and arrives in Boston instead with an orphan stowaway named Ernesto Lentini in tow.
Domenic and Ernesto stay at the home of old family friends in Boston's Italian North End neighborhood, sharing a room with their son, Joe. Domenic becomes like a big brother to Joe and Ernesto, who become inseparable friends.
As the years and decades pass, youthful rivalries and fateful decisions lead to unpredictable and sometimes unsavory outcomes. Between moments of joy and great tragedy, the three friends' lives take very divergent paths amidst the turbulence of factions vying for power in the early 20th century Boston where the lines between politics, crime and policing are blurred.
But after all that has kept them apart, can Domenic, Ernesto, Joe and even Francesca, come together to settle the score with those who have spent a lifetime fighting against them?
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/xLxKxw
Author Bio:
LOUIS TRUBIANO spent over forty years in the advertising industry, most of it as president of his own firm. Born and raised in Quincy, Massachusetts, he earned his bachelor’s degree from The University of Rochester and a master’s degree from Boston University’s College of Communication. He and his wife live in Canton, Massachusetts and have three daughters, six grandchildren, and one spoiled dog.
Editorial Review:
The novel "What Once Was Promised" by Louis Trubiano explores the complexity of Italian immigrants' lives in America against the backdrop of the tumultuous early 20th century. The story of Domenic Bassini, a young man who leaves his hometown of Torre de’Passeri, Italy, to start a new life in America, is one of determination, courage, and sacrifice.
The book opens with a tense moment, where Domenic, now an older man, recalls his last moments spent with his father and the simplicity of life back home. From Domenic's mixed emotions on the day of his departure from Italy to the hardships faced on the ship and the challenges of immigrant life in America, the author skillfully weaves historical aspects with personal experiences. Domenic, through his strict upbringing and family values, remains a character deeply devoted to his loved ones, a fact evident in his father's words: „Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family”
The secondary characters, such as Francesca Bernardelli, add depth to the narrative. Francesca, a young woman from a Sicilian village, becomes a symbol of female ambition and resilience, dreaming of a better life in America. Trubiano captures her desire to escape the restrictive norms of Sicilian society, presenting an authentic portrait of a strong yet vulnerable woman. The interactions between Domenic and the other immigrants on the ship, as well as his relationship with Francesca, add a layer of emotional and moral complexity. Domenic, though a moral and responsible young man, faces ethical and personal dilemmas, highlighting the internal struggle between duty and desire.
Upon arriving in Boston, Domenic feels that he has found a new family and a new father in Giuseppe, and his close relationship with Joseph and Ermino becomes immediately evident. Despite the initial difficulties and the skeptical eye of Maria Rossario, Domenic finds his place in this community. After starting his work at the Ropewalk in the shipyard, Domenic feels immense satisfaction in sending money home to his family in Torre de’Passeri for the first time. The hard work and opportunities offered by the modernization of the Boston Naval Yard open new perspectives and dreams for the future. Although dominated by the Irish, the shipyard provides chances for those willing to work hard, and Domenic is no exception. Immigrant societies are places where members celebrate special moments and offer mutual support. After Sunday Mass, the men gather to socialize, play cards, and bocce, while the women handle the traditional meal. Domenic loves the camaraderie and stories told in the club, and life in America becomes more bearable because of these community ties.
A critical moment in Domenic's life is the work accident in which he loses an eye. Though panicked at the thought of losing his job, he maintains his faith and determination to continue working to fulfill his promises to his family. The tensions between different ethnic groups, particularly between the Irish and Italians, are well captured in the novel. The control exercised by the Irish over the city and the efforts of Italian immigrants to integrate and thrive despite discrimination are recurring themes. The Italian community in North End becomes an enclave of resistance and solidarity.
Dragatto, another central character, exemplifies the struggle for success in the face of economic and social obstacles. His fish business prospers, but not without costs and threats from other groups. His determination to succeed despite difficulties is another narrative thread that illustrates the immigrant spirit. In a scene from 1951, Domenic and Ernie Lentini confront the ghosts of their past. The tense silence and brief dialogue between the two reflect the weight of personal history and the difficult decisions they must make. The Madonna del Soccorso festival becomes an occasion to celebrate Italian identity in North End, and Domenic's meeting with Francesca rekindles complex emotions and painful memories. Their past relationship and reunion bring to the forefront themes of longing and sacrifice.
One of the novel's strengths is the author's ability to transport the reader to specific places and moments: „Kevin O’Riley Sat on the old couch in the small room off the parlor that had long served as his father’s sanctuary. It could not be called an office or a study, as it had no desk, no bookshelves, or nothing much of anything for that matter. There was a large overstuffed chair with an ottoman squeezed into one corner with a small table next to it that always seemed to have a newspaper, a full ashtray and an empty glass or two on it whenever Kevin had ventured into the room as a child. In the corner opposite his father’s chair was another small table with some photographs and a telephone. His father not being a sentimental man, Kevin was sure it was his mother who put the photographs there to add some touch of warmth to the room.” This vivid description of the setting reflects not only the physical atmosphere but also the emotional tensions and familial dynamics. Trubiano uses seemingly mundane details to outline the characters' personalities and their relationships, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.
The characters in "What Once Was Promised" are deeply human and easily relatable, each with their own struggles and aspirations. Domenic Bassini, for instance, is a central character whose life experiences and sacrifices are detailed, offering a clear picture of the challenges faced by immigrants. Martha comes from a wealthy family with an impressive history, rooted in early investments in Chicago railways and the city's first national bank. Raised in an environment that valued superficiality and conformity, Martha felt early on the frustration of being overlooked by her father in favor of her older brother, considered the only one worthy of taking over the family business. Despite her excellent school results, she was groomed for the traditional role of a high-society woman, taught the etiquette and manners necessary to navigate social circles but without being allowed to explore her passions and business acumen.
The meeting and love story between Martha and Dommy, an Italian policeman from Boston, is another part of the novel. Despite significant cultural and social differences, the two fall deeply in love. Their relationship is filled with obstacles, including strong opposition from Martha's father, Walter Gifford Anderson III, who despises the idea of his daughter being involved with an Italian, seen as socially inferior.
One of the most emotional moments in the book is when Dommy, riding his horse Fitzy, looks back at Martha for the last time before parting from their group: „Dommy ignored her comment and started to lead Fitzy away from the retreating group. But he couldn’t help from turning his head for a final look at Martha Anderson. At that same moment, she turned to look back and caught him watching. The smile she flashed remained etched in Dommy’s head.”This moment perfectly captures the tension and potential of a relationship that defies societal expectations and norms. Their love story goes through many trials, from the initial challenges of acceptance by their families to internal struggles with their own doubts and fears. While Dommy finds peace and purpose in his relationship with Martha, she battles her own demons, feeling torn between social obligations and her true desires. Their marriage, achieved with difficulty and despite the opposition of the church, is a moment of personal triumph for Martha, who sees in Dommy not only a life partner but also a chance to live her life according to her own desires.
Trubiano successfully brings to life an emotional story about the struggle between societal expectations and personal desires. His writing is filled with details that provide depth to the characters and their relationships, reflecting the complexity and emotional nuances of their lives.
Louis Trubiano's novel "What Once Was Promised" is a chronicle of the struggle, sacrifices, and triumph of Italian immigrants in Boston. Through the story of Domenic and those around him, Trubiano offers a deeply human perspective on the American dream and the price that must be paid by those who pursue it. The novel is a celebration of resilience and the power of community in the face of challenges and adversities.
*****
“What Once Was Promised” by Louis Trubiano receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
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