Advice For Italian Boys - Anne Giardini

I recently read Advice for Italian Boys by Anne Giardini, by the recommendation of the Toronto Public Library that had it listed as a 'Best Bets', and who am I to argue with the library.

The book focuses on the life of a 20 something Italin boy growing up in a town in Ontario. The driving story focuses on the main character trying to find his way in life while balancing the expecations, desires and advice of his family and friends. Relvoing around his story are the stories of his brothers, his parents, his grandmother and almost everyone he comes in contact with. Her explorations of the invidual characters read like beautiful stand alone stories but in the end layer together to build a thoughtful and elegent narrative. In this way Giradini acknowledges that no one exists in a vacuum, and that other people's experiences and actions can affect us in ways that can change our life direction.

Giardini's writing sets a slower tempo than what I have become accoustoumed to lately. Her descriptive and detailed writing bordered on lyrical. The read was satisfiingly slow, forcing my brain to ratchet back to a pace that is similar to what is achieved while on vacation.

I would recommend this book for a book club, for people who like stories that create an entire world and for someone who needs a mini mental break during their day.

That was fun wasn't it?