Review: Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Tony's Wife

by Adriana Trigiani

Publisher: Harper

Pages: 320

Format: book

Buy the Book: HarperCollins

Goodreads:  Shortly before World War II, Chi Chi Donatelli and Saverio Armandonada meet one summer on the Jersey shore and fall in love. Both are talented and ambitious, and both share the dream of becoming singers for the legendary orchestras of the time: Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman. They’re soon married, and it isn’t long before Chiara and Tony find that their careers are on the way up as they navigate the glamorous worlds of night clubs, radio and television. All goes well until it becomes clear that they must make a choice: Which of them will put their ambitions aside to raise a family and which will pursue a career? And how will they cope with the impact that decision has on their lives and their marriage?


Kritters Thoughts:  Before I even started this book, I was already a huge Adriana Trigiani, so I was pretty sure I was going to love this book and then when I received the advanced reader copy and realized it was a chunky book, I was excited to curl up with it for a weekend.  

This is one of her usual epic family dramas that spans years and where a reader gets completely swept into a big story.  Saverio has quite the voice and he is discovered on a night that goes from one of his lowest moments to quite a high point.  Shortly after being discovered he ends up on tour and meets a unique young woman - Chi Chi Donatelli who is a part of a sister group, but is really the only sister fully dedicated to becoming famous.  This is just the beginning of the story.  These two have quite the roller coaster and I loved that this story went from the beginning to the very end.  

I absolutely adored this book from the beginning to the end.  There was not one moment where the story dragged or I felt could have been edited down - each page was necessary.  If anything, I would love a sequel that continues the story through Chi Chi's children.  

I love how Adriana Trigiani is able to incorporate true historical moments so seamlessly into a huge narrative.  These moments plant the story in a time, but other than that this story could take place at any place in time and I love how classic it feels.  

She also creates characters in such a way that you as the reader feels like you know them so deeply.  I could completely picture not only these two but the hundreds that surround them in this story.  Without using an excessive amount of words she describes everything that the reader knows to make the fullest picture.  

I have done enough gushing about this book.  I hope Adriana Trigiani continues to write these epic family dramas because they have become my favorite of hers.  It is such a detailed but also broad glimpse at a community at a moment in time.  


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.