The Black Madonna: A Novel

by Louisa Ermelino

Three mothers from New York's Little Italy struggle to maintain their traditions while their sons chafe under the oppressive weight of their ethnic community. 15,000 first printing.

Genres: Fiction, Adult Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2001

Reviews

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this three times. Funny and so true. I'm Italian and I loved it.

[Mali · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story an a very easy read. The characters are all very real. There is no big drama in the story, it is about daily life of families worrying about each other especially motehrs and their children. I enjoyed reading this story.

[Gwynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this--an easy, interesting, sometimes quite funny read. I was disappointed that it was in the end so much about the boys and men, and so little about the women. I would say that it's just a reflection of the male-centeredness of the Italian and Italian-American culture in which the characters live, but then I think of _In the Time of the Butterflies_ by Julia Alvarez, which focused so beautifully and consistently on the experiences of women and the relationships among them. I'm not sure _The Black Madonna_ would pass the Bechdel Test.

[Frank Settineri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story about an Italian family and neighbors in the Bronx, with relatives and ancestors in Italy. The mysterious, beautiful black Madonna came to America and cast her spells on the bad folks and helped those in need. A wonderful look at life in the 1950s and 60s in the Bronx.

[Frances Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m Italian-American and I really enjoyed this slice-of-life book set in New York’s Little Italy and a fictitious small town in Italy. It’s nothing earth-shattering and there’s no big drama, but it’s warm, mildly humorous, and quite charming. I enjoyed the time I spent with these characters.

[Ann Sumner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, endearing book about mothers and mother love. The other characters are incidental. The mother s are Italian and Jewish, and their love for their children is exceedingly sweet and controlling. I enjoyed it a lot and recommend it as a pleasant buffer between tougher reads.

[Fernando · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy buena la narración y los hechos pero terminaban siendo muy simples, no explotaban su potencial.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was there with the families - laughing, crying, moaning, wondering, scheming... an enjoyable read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The transition through time and through different characters kept it flowing. The portrayal of close knit Italian community with the sometimes complicated relationships seemed very real which also made the book enjoyable. I'd recommend it as a fast, sweet read.

[Ronn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel about various lives taking place in Little Italy is fairly light-weight. But I really enjoyed it. These seemed to be people that I would know and like had I been present. Really not much else to say. This would probably be a really good book for a long plane ride.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 This is a story of Italian mothers and their fierce devotion to family. I particularily liked the superstitions these women held. I had a few chuckles along the way. 3 women's lives intersect and the black madonna plays a mysterious and powerful role. A delightful read.

[CatarinaG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warm and delightful. A very nice debut and a pleasant confort reading.
It reminded me Adriana Trigiani's books...

[Lu]

Italy

[Myrna · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy and interesting read. Since I read it over a month ago and have read a couple of books since,
I don't exactly recall the entire story. It did keep me interested tho.

[Maria Oropallo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unread for Italian Americans. Not so much for Italian Americans immigrants who cannot appreciate an American's view of the hard life in post-war Italy.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book. After reading it I want to go to an Italian bakery.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute, sad, funny...if you are Italian or have been with Italians, you will get such a kick out of it. The book is about three friends growing up and their mothers

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very fast read, I thought enjoyable.

[Danie P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great descriptive scenery, I wish there was some more character development.

[Bonnie]

BC