TLC Book Tours: Tony's Wife

I was introduced to Adriana Trigiani's work when her first book, Big Stone Gap, was published. I loved that entire series, and am always eager to see what will publish next.

As Trigiani's career has unfolded, many of her novels have turned into sweeping family sagas featuring Italian Americans.  Tony's Wife could definitely be described in that way.  

Chi Chi and her sisters are all employed, trying to help their family make ends meet as their father isn't able to work.  Trigiani does a great job of portraying life for women in the 1930s as Chi Chi struggles to gain independence and make her way in the world.  

This story follows Chi Chi from her teenage years in the 30s until her death decades later. We see her fall in love, fall out of love, and rise to all the challenges life throws at her.

As a talented musician, her career takes her far and she rubs elbows with many big names like Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. However, her husband's star is also rising, and because of the time she is living in, her role takes a back seat to his career.  

Although this is a love story in some ways, it is also much more than that, as the focus of the story is truly Chi Chi and her role as a woman and the way she pushed the envelope for equal rights and independence.

Trigiani never disappoints, and this is a quick read that is enjoyable and entertaining. I loved the name dropping, following Chi Chi from her teenage years until her death, and also the way Trigiani made me feel a part of the glamorous life Chi Chi led.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for a providing a copy of this book for my review.  All opinions expressed are, as always, my own.

For more information, visit the HarperCollins website.