The Sounding of Horns

Rating:
Summary: "I can see a movie coming out of this book!"
Review: "The Sounding of Horns" is the story of three strong people -- woven together like three plaits of hair -- into one dense novel. Set mainly in Philadelphia in the 1920s, but involving old ties back to Italy, it combines music, romance, and personal and political intrigue.

I can see a movie coming out of this book! There are some great dramatic/climactic scenes, a broad background of people and places, and characters who speak and act for themselves without a lot of author prose to explain them to you. A lot is left unsaid or, rather, said in looks and body language. You feel it rather than read it. It's a fresh and different story, written in a fresh and different way -- a full meal for the unhurried reader.

Rating:
Summary: Great for discusssion!
Review: The Sounding of Horns is a rich journey back to an Italian neighborhood in Philadelphia in 1920. It focuses on the lives of the quiet Sicilian, Lessio, and exuberant, Harpina, who has arrived from Italy to become his wife through an arranged marriage. The threads of the story also branch out to their neighbors, relatives, friends, and co-workers, weaving a rich tapestry of the Italian community. This is quite a contrast from the independent "me" culture of today. In this novel, the slightest action or word of one character sets the whole web into motion with a rippling of effects to everyone involved.

I believe the issues found in the relationship between Lessio and Pina still happen to couples today, though they may be less pronounced. Lessio deals with stress by keeping his feelings to himself and showing a strong face to the world. In addition to dealing with Harpina's growing fame and his dangerous role in the Prohibition movement, he's haunted by painful memories from the war and his childhood. Just when the reader thinks he's not feeling much of anything, he takes actions that nearly jump off the page with their explosive intensity.

This author has a distinctive style that is reminiscent of classical literature. The dialogue is very realistic and strong. Even when a character utters a simple sentence, the reader is able to interpret lots of information between the lines without the author getting in the way. The speech in the letters and dialogue is also consistent with the setting and characterization. Lessio is a man of action, so he says as little as possible. He'll just answer with one word if he can. Harpina's speech, however, flows and eddies like rushing water as she bounces from one question or thought to another. The author also describes cultural gestures, which really helps in picturing the scene and making it realistic. Because of this strong dialogue, I believe the novel would be well suited for film or the theater.

At times, however, I lost track of which character was speaking during long dialogue exchanges. I longed for a little more narrative to break up the dialogue and to help me experience the scene more with all five senses. I also had a hard time keeping track of all the characters mentioned. I think I would have enjoyed the story more with fewer of them.

This novel provides a fascinating look at a period of history overlooked by most mainstream publishers. I especially enjoyed learning about Prohibition and the smuggling of alcohol from Canada. Although not a quick read, this novel has a classic feel and is enjoyable and thought provoking.

Sherri Neilson
...

Rating:
Summary: classic
Review: The Sounding of Horns is a rich journey back to an Italian neighborhood in Philadelphia in 1920. It focuses on the lives of the quiet Sicilian, Lessio, and exuberant, Harpina, who has arrived from Italy to become his wife through an arranged marriage. The threads of the story also branch out to their neighbors, relatives, friends, and co-workers, weaving a rich tapestry of the Italian community. This is quite a contrast from the independent "me" culture of today. In this novel, the slightest action or word of one character sets the whole web into motion with a rippling of effects to everyone involved.

I believe the issues found in the relationship between Lessio and Pina still happen to couples today, though they may be less pronounced. Lessio deals with stress by keeping his feelings to himself and showing a strong face to the world. In addition to dealing with Harpina's growing fame and his dangerous role in the Prohibition movement, he's haunted by painful memories from the war and his childhood. Just when the reader thinks he's not feeling much of anything, he takes actions that nearly jump off the page with their explosive intensity.

This author has a distinctive style that is reminiscent of classical literature. The dialogue is very realistic and strong. Even when a character utters a simple sentence, the reader is able to interpret lots of information between the lines without the author getting in the way. The speech in the letters and dialogue is also consistent with the setting and characterization. Lessio is a man of action, so he says as little as possible. He'll just answer with one word if he can. Harpina's speech, however, flows and eddies like rushing water as she bounces from one question or thought to another. The author also describes cultural gestures, which really helps in picturing the scene and making it realistic. Because of this strong dialogue, I believe the novel would be well suited for film or the theater.

At times, however, I lost track of which character was speaking during long dialogue exchanges. I longed for a little more narrative to break up the dialogue and to help me experience the scene more with all five senses. I also had a hard time keeping track of all the characters mentioned. I think I would have enjoyed the story more with fewer of them.

This novel provides a fascinating look at a period of history overlooked by most mainstream publishers. I especially enjoyed learning about Prohibition and the smuggling of alcohol from Canada. Although not a quick read, this novel has a classic feel and is enjoyable and thought provoking.

Sherri Neilson
...

Rating:
Summary: Great for discusssion!
Review: The Sounding of Horns would be an ideal book group/club selection. It will keep the discussion lively for multiple meetings. This book is perfect for gift-giving as well, from oneself to all your reading friends. I won't repeat the excellent summary of the plot supplied by the publisher. You can see that the characters and story are complex. In addition, the author has set them in an historical locale, which is well-researched for accuracy. The details thus supply authentic settings for very believable characters. At a book group meeting throw out the question, "Who is the main character and why?" You will have many answers. Ask yourself the same question when you read the book, and you will enhance your enjoyment. Just about any avid reader will like the book. However, as a life-long opera-lover, I took special delight in the interplay of real historical singers with the characters of the book. The Sounding of Horns is not easily forgotten.