Kiss Carlo

By: Adriana Trigiani

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Instant New York Times Bestseller • People’s Book of the Week

From Adriana Trigiani, the beloved New York Times-bestselling author of The Shoemaker’s Wife, comes an exhilarating epic novel of love, loyalty, and creativity—the story of an Italian-American family on the cusp of change.

It’s 1949 and South Philadelphia bursts with opportunity during the post-war boom. The Palazzini Cab Company & Western Union Telegraph Office, owned and operated by Dominic Palazzini and his three sons, is flourishing: business is good, they’re surrounded by sympathetic wives and daughters-in-law, with grandchildren on the way. But a decades-long feud that split Dominic and his brother Mike and their once-close families sets the stage for a re-match.

Amidst the hoopla, the arrival of an urgent telegram from Italy upends the life of Nicky Castone (Dominic and his wife’s orphaned nephew) who lives and works with his Uncle Dom and his family. Nicky decides, at 30, that he wants more—more than just a job driving Car #4 and more than his longtime fiancée Peachy DePino, a bookkeeper, can offer. When he admits to his fiancée that he’s been secretly moonlighting at the local Shakespeare theater company, Nicky finds himself drawn to the stage, its colorful players and to the determined Calla Borelli, who inherited the enterprise from her father, Nicky must choose between the conventional life his family expects of him or chart a new course and risk losing everything he cherishes.

From the dreamy mountaintop village of Roseto Valfortore in Italy, to the vibrant streets of South Philly, to the close-knit enclave of Roseto, Pennsylvania, to New York City during the birth of the golden age of television, Kiss Carlo is a powerful, inter-generational story that celebrates the ties that bind, while staying true to oneself when all hope seems lost.

Told against the backdrop of some of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies, this novel brims with romance as long buried secrets are revealed, mistaken identities are unmasked, scores are settled, broken hearts are mended and true love reigns. Trigiani’s consummate storytelling skill and her trademark wit, along with a dazzling cast of characters will enthrall readers. Once again, the author has returned to her own family garden to create an unforgettable feast. Kiss Carlo is a jubilee, resplendent with hope, love, and the abiding power of la famiglia.

Great read. interesting characters.

Really loved it. I hadn't read this author before and was not disappointed. loved dividing the story in to the 3 acts.

Another wonderful story

Thank you so much for sharing your talent. I love listening to your stories. It takes me to a place that feels like a vacation.

what a great listen

This is one of those books I have a hard time to say good-bye to, when finished. The narritting was pleasant, the voice was friendly and captivating. This book gives a good insight of daily life in the 50s and treats the reader as a welcomed guest or long time friend. The personages were each well described. This was my first book by Adriana Trigiani and I can not wait to use my next credits to other books by her.

Too much of a good thing

this was a very good story. Well thought-out characters. Many layers over many generations. The audio presentation was exceptional but if there is an Abridged version of this book I would highly recommend it. The author took too much Liberty with the readers time turning every leaf on every tree into a literary homily.

I was disappointed

It was just ok. I was expecting a lot more and was disappointed. The characters weren't original enough to pull me in. I had to keep hitting the "back" button because my mind kept wandering.