Rating: 
Summary: Charming, touching, moving, amusing
Review: What a wonderful book! My father told me I had to read it when I was visiting. He said I would find it moving and charming, and I did. It keeps you concerned (you like the characters and wish them well) and entertained (the author has a love of human nature and a deft turn of phrase) and, at the very end, may well make you cry. But they are joyous tears. I can't give this book a high enough rating. You will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Mama Mia!
Review: What do you want in a novel? Good writing, quirky characters, fun, humor, dark secrets, a little mystery? Like a good Italian sauce, it's all in there with this entertaining novel. I enjoyed it thoroughly. As an author myself, of NEW PSALMS FOR NEW MOMS: A KEEPSAKE JOURNAL, I appreciate a beautifully written book. You'll love this one. Ciao!
Rating: 
Summary: offbeat manner tale
Review: When his relationship with Marta Fortino ended with her marrying someone else, Leo Pizzola left for Chicago to make his fortune and find many women. Leo has no real ties in America after two decades of living there. When Leo inherits the family farm, he returns to his hometown of Santo Fico in Tuscany to make his fortune and find one woman, the widow Marta.However, not only has the town remained extremely poor, the townsfolk are depressed also. Santo Fico is dying unless a miracle occurs and not the type used to "con" tourists into visiting the religious fresco depicting the miracles of St. Thomas. Leo tries to reconnect with Marta, but she rejects him. Desperate to win his beloved's heart and respect and to help his town, Leo decides not to wait for a celestial miracle. He plans to perform a more mundane one that hopefully will increase the "volunteer" tourist traffic, not just those caught on a one-way no turn around road into the town. The characters are interesting in an offbeat manner that will endear them to the reader. However, though the theme of revitalizing life as an individual or as a town clearly rings throughout the tale, THE MIRACLES OF SANTO FICO lacks a strong centrist story line to anchor the plot. Thus, instead of a modern day A BELL FOR ADANO, the audience receives an intriguing three hundred plus page "long" short story that still grips the audience because of the caring nature of the cast. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: a variety of tastes satisfied
Review: whether you are seeking a light read, or a deep one with many nuances, or a bit of comedy to brighten your week, or memorable characters or even just escape,
this book is for you.
it's brilliant. it's John Irving meets John Steinbeck meets Ernest Hemmingway, mixed with a humorous, romantic voice that is Smith's very own.
I don't usually buy hardbacks- I bought this one and guard it jealously.
if you want to give yourself a present, this is a grand choice!
Rating:
Summary: Rebuttal for the "True Insult for Any Intelligent Reader"
Review: Whoever wrote the review with the above subject line, and giving this book a 1 star review, is the unintelligent reader! Whoever could write such a thing, and not see the beauty and art in D. L. Smith's novel cannot be happy in life. This book depicts life itself in the purest form, and anyone who can't see that is in need of therapy!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely wonderful! Funny, real, heartwarming!!!!
Review: Whoever wrote the second review for this book ("Sue") is off her rocker. Her review is ludicrous. This was, without question, one of the best books I've ever read. It was cleverly funny, touched on the seriousness of life and had a perfect ending. What a beautiful combination of elements in a novel. I couldn't put it down. Don't waste another moment....get this book today!! You will want to share it with everyone you know!!
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