BLURB:

After Italy: A Family Memoir of Arranged Marriage” is the story of marriages across three generations. Starting from a marriage brokered to facilitate immigration from Southern Italy to Braddock, PA, a steel town outside of Pittsburgh, before and immediately after WWII, this memoir explores the multigenerational impact of arranged marriage.

MY THOUGHTS:

I received an ARC copy of “After Italy: A Family Memoir of Arranged Marriage,” courtesy of Books Forward. The concept of arranged marriages has always fascinated me, as I have often pondered how many individuals are genuinely content within such unions. Monardo offers a profound insight into her family’s history and the perpetuation of generational trauma. In a world where marriage is often idealized and considered life’s primary objective, this memoir compellingly exposes the potential for profound unhappiness within a marriage. It sheds light on the stark reality that some marriages can amount to mere business arrangements, and underscores the far-reaching impact of generational trauma on a family’s perception of marriage.

I have great empathy for Monardo and the women in her family. I admire Monardo’s courage in choosing to end a painful marriage, and I also commend her for seeking therapy to work through her struggles. Therapy can be a healing and transformative experience. If you’re interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the repercussions of arranged marriages, I recommend adding this book to your to-be-read list.

Happy Reading Folks.