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Book Review of The Queen of the Big Time

The Queen of the Big Time
Doughgirl avatar reviewed on + 138 more book reviews


Queen of the Big Time is the story of Nella Castalluca's life. She's the middle daughter of a close and loving first generation American-Italiian family in small town Pennsyvania. As a young girl, Nella dreams of going to college, becoming a teacher and marrying her first love. But after those dreams are dashed, her life turns in another direction and she finds new goals and a new unexpected life.

This is the kind of book that I love to read. It's the story of a life well-lived - a mostly happy life, but with a few regrets and lessons learned. The characterization in this book was wonderful, and I felt that I really got to know the characters. Nella especially, but also her family and friends. Since you already know that this book is about Nella's life, I don't think it's a spoiler to tell you that the book ends with her funeral. And I found that I cried just as much while reading about the funeral as I imagine some of the fictional mourners did.

Highly Recommended.