The Queen of Steeplechase Park

by David Ciminello

The Queen of Steeplechase Park is the absolutely, positively, practically, almost-true story of infamous burlesque queen and magic meatball maker Belladonna Marie Donato. 
Pregnant at fifteen after gleefully losing her virginity to pansexual neighborhood strongman Francis Anthony Mozzarelli, she is robbed of her baby by a pack of nefarious nuns and her embittered papa has her sterilized without her consent (legal in 1935). With the help of a besotted Francis and her top-secret meatball recipe, a devastated Bella embarks on a riotous quest through Depression-era Coney Island sideshows, the tawdry world of peek-a-boo striptease routines, a queer mob marriage, and a tasty collection of wisdom-filled recipes to find her lost child, herself, and maybe even true love. It all leads Bella back home, to the scene of her Original Sin, where she boldly faces matters of life and death, questions of forgiveness, and a holy mess only the healing properties of great Italian cooking can fix.

Genres: Fiction, Historical, LGBT, Historical Fiction, Queer

470 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[˖ ࣪ ‹ seri ; ⁺ ⸝⸝ · Rating 3 out of 5]

🦭 ꒰ 메모 ꒱ ۪ ݁ 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬

i absolutely did not expect this book to have lots of heavy content like rape and domestic violence. despite this, i still liked the recipes and how the atmosphere of the book felt raw, sad, and happy in different cases. this was an overall alright read but not too amazing for my taste. still a wonderful job at writing this book <3 thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Khris Sellin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bawdy, raunchy, sexy story filled with recipes and laughs. But there's also violence and heartbreak. But Belladonna Marie is a SURVIVOR! This is not a great piece of literature by any means, but an enjoyable read.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and fun story set in Depression era Coney Island that is populated by one of the most lovable and unique characters I’ve recently read.

There were some elements of this that I didn’t love, mostly the insistence on endless gratuitous gross stuff that doesn’t really add to the story and just makes you cringe, and I also think some of the heavier themes in the story felt very out of step with the tone and overall premise of the book. I actually think it’s fine to include Belladonna’s tragic backstory as a plot-driver and her father certainly makes a good villain, but it was a bit much for what is clearly intended to be an uplifting comic novel.

That said, the author does a good job of lightening the mood with humor even in the story’s darkest moments, and everything else about the book is lovely and enjoyable.

It’s the characters who really sell this one. Belladonna of course, who is about as good a heroine as you can get, but also the supporting cast, which includes so many quirky and wonderful characters who are remarkably individual and well fleshed out for a book featuring so many secondary characters.

It’s funny and sweet throughout the story, and the sense of place is notably good. In all, some of the nastiness needed to be toned down to match the rest of the book, but it’s a well-crafted, funny, and sweet story that is well worth a read.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Blair Fell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic, heart-wrenching and fun ride! Ciminello has such a unique and explosive voice that carries you at the speed of the Coney Island Cyclone! Inspired by the life of his real life burlesque queen Aunt, he draws us a sensual, passionate portrait of a buxom, unapologetic 1930s Italian American teen that wants nothing more than to get what she deserves. Ciminello provides a hilarious and vivid cast of characters informed by every movie and pop culture reference from the period. This book just pops and zings in deliciously short chapters. It also comes with recipes!! I warn you, you’ll be starving for even more of this book when you’re done … and Bella’s magic meatballs! Read it!

[Domi Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sauce a beautifully raucous telling of an Italian family, a neighborhood, a life! The poetics dancing with hilarity and bawdy storytelling makes this book sizzle. I read the ARC. I will buy this book!
#NOspoilers

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an arc of this book.

This book was WAY different than I was expecting! Like I'm someone who swears quite a lot I would say, but the amount of swearing in this book still took me off guard, which has never happened to me before!
I wanted to like it, but the writing style just wasn't for me I guess. Still pretty good tho! Just read the trigger warnings before you start the book because some of the topics are extremely heavy!

[Amy Borgstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another library book I picked for its exuberant cover page and liner notes—this one paid off. Technicolor romp through 30s Italian NJ and Coney Island culture with a bodacious hero, unforgettable sideshow of supporting characters, and recipes to boot. Utterly satisfying and joyful fluff.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Including recipes in your fiction is a very quick way to win my heart! This book is totally bombastic. There are some super heavy themes and the author does not pull any punches, but it's balanced extremely well with humor and uplifting moments.

[Susan McAulay · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words to capture what I read. I chose this book largely for the cover art and the title. It is so much more than that and I regret my frivolous reasons for selecting this novel but am very glad that they propelled me to read something that, had I read the summary on Goodreads or elsewhere, I might not have otherwise chosen.
First, some warnings. Do not pick up this book if you are deeply religious. There are things you will find offensive. Blasphemous, really.
Second, if you are put off by cursing and descriptive sex scenes, this is not for you. This latter point is why I might not have read this novel, had I seen what others said about it. Fortunately, I did not. If you can get past these two transgressions, you are in for the ride of your life.
Cimonello has woven a tapestry of Italian recipes, clever language play, and plot (in that order) to lay open Belladonna (just the name alone would have ensured my desire to read it) in the worlds of New Jersey and Coney Island, a woman who is so big hearted and loving that despite her significant flaws, you cannot help but to respect and love her and root for her. This book also works as historical fiction, taking place just after the Depression.
Let's talk about language. Cimonello's command of language is masterful and, at times, poetic. He engages the reader with a variety of sentence lengths, ranging from short and staccato to longer and lyrical. He uses alliteration. He plays with words in a way I don't often see in novels. This has the effect of lightening the tone.
I did see some criticism that the tone does not match the content. This is true; it surely doesn't. However, this was clearly an intentional move of the author. There are so many terrible things that happen to Belladonna. Her father is abusive. Belladonna gets pregnant at a young age and her father gives away her baby and then gets her sterilized (this is in published summaries of the book, so I don't think I am giving anything away) just to name a few. The tone, humorous and at times farcical, alleviates the misery any reader would have reading about such horrible experiences. This tone is absolutely necessary, otherwise it would be unbearable. By the way, the explicit sex, while normally off-putting to me? Also necessary, as this is one of the ways that Belladonna reacts and escapes from her life.
If blasphemy, sex and bad language (all in context and all necessary) does not phase you, please do yourself a favor and read this.
A side note: I cannot believe that this is Mr. Cimonello's first novel (he has written short stories from what I see). Please write something else. I will purchase your shopping lists!
Thanks to NetGalley and to Forest Avenue Press for providing me with the opportunity to read this magical book!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m grateful to Mr. Ciminello for finally turning his gifts to writing a novel. It was clearly time well spent, and I eagerly await his next endeavor. As an Italian-American New Yorker living on the West Coast for over 30 years, it can be isolating to be the “only one” and to rarely encounter accurate representation of our culture. Aside from our food (delizioso!), our representation is often reduced to mafia movies, plumbers in video games, and tropes that equate our accents to ignorance. I recognized so much of my own family in these stories, recipes, and most of all, the characters. Bravo for introducing us to the very real Belladonna Marie Donato, her family, her lovers, and her fabulous friends! They are a refreshing alternative to the black and white, sanitized, stereotypical images that often portray the first half of the 20th century. Thank you for the reminder that the Greatest Generation was as diverse and real as we are today — they just weren’t as free to be their true selves. I bought copies for my mom and daughter so we can enjoy it together and save the recipes! Buon appetito!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his delightfully fabulous, but dead-serious debut novel, David Ciminello brings to life surely the most irrepressible character the literary world has known in the person of Belladonna Marie Donato. She bursts into life on the very first page and never lets go. Very early on, her out-sized heart, unapologetic sensuality and natural sass set her on a collision course with the prissy, hypocritical and repressive authorities of her working class Italian community in Jersey of the 1930s. It’s an unkind and sometimes brutal world to anyone (and there are many) who won’t toe the line of relentless heterosexuality confined to the marital bed. After she is forcibly sterilized and cruel nuns steal her baby, 15-year-old Bella, accompanied by the ghosts of her past and a number of quirky conspirators, sets off on a quest to find both her lover, the Strongman Francis, and her child, Billy. Her journey, told with charming dollops of magical realism, takes her to a wild and fantastical Coney Island community of lovable social outcasts. Onstage, Bella shakes her tits and ass to earn her keep and at home cooks up a storm for her new family. The kitchen is Bella’s refuge and any reader who fails to try out the delectable recipes that pepper the novel is simply a fool. Eventually and by way of a failed marriage to a gangster, Bella finds what she is seeking. But don’t expect a fairy tale ending. The forces of nature and her own ambivalence conspire against Bella. The novel is at once enchanting and heart-breaking, even more so when you realize it’s based on the true story of the author’s great-aunt, a larger-than-life woman with the misfortune of being born out of her time. But, in the end, the forces of oppression are no match for Bella’s life-embracing and joyful spirit.

[Rachel Neuburger Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a wild and wonderful ride. I had no idea what to expect from The Queen of Steeplechase Park, and I was hooked from the first page. I was constantly surprised by the infectious Belladonna throughout the book. I do realize it sounds like I’m blowing smoke up butts, but I realized that I hadn’t been so genuinely involved in a book in ages. A literal page turner for me- from circus sideshows to gangster NJ. It’s so engaging, with wonderful characters - including my favorite, Francis Anthony Mozzarelli. I never lost the conviction that I wanted Belladonna to win against the odds and to find peace.

I do understand that the book might not for everyone, and many have listed trigger warnings. That is valid, but I personally thought the violence and other tough to swallow issues were dealt with quickly, matter of factly, and then the book moved right along - like Belladonna herself. There is nothing I read that I found gratuitous or grievous, and I want to share that with all those potential readers out there.

I really hope this book finds it’s audience. Five-stars is not a score I’d give to many titles. As well, as far as page-turners go, I’ve had perhaps three in the last five years to be precise. I’m really looking forward to the next David Ciminello novel, so bring it. Grazie mille!

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Queen of Steeplechase Park is a campy coming-of-age novel about Belladonna Marie Donato—Brooklyn-born Italian chef extraordinaire, Burlesque Queen of Sin City (i.e. Coney Island), and star-crossed lover of Francis Anthony Mozzarelli. The tone of this book is light and comical, full of larger-than-life characters and adventure, and interspersed with authentic Italian recipes, but the themes are hard-hitting all the way through. Partly based on the real-life story of the author's aunt, The Queen of Steeplechase Park introduces a peek into the challenges and triumphs of Depression-era Coney Island.

Admittedly, I did think this book would be a bit gayer than it was, but I ended up having a good time with it anyway. There is a decent amount of criticism about the book's mature content (swearing—ha! and sexual scenes), so look up content warnings, if you need to. I think some of the characters could have been made less trope-y (I could almost see the spirit of Tony Soprano coming off the page yelling, "Gabagool!") and I really would have loved to see the ending extended a bit (quite sad with very little time for resolution). Otherwise, it was a genuinely enjoyable read that I looked forward to picking back up each time.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nancy Murdock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen of Steeplechase Park , by David Ciminello, is a rollicking ride through 1930's New Jersey and Coney Island. Belladonna Marie Donato is searching for her son, who had been sent to an orphanage by her mean spirited father. The journey takes her from the Italian community at the Robertson Scale factory in Clifton, NJ to Neptune Avenue and Sam Tweety's Hawaiian Island Girlie Revue, located next to Stauch's Baths and the Incredible House of Space Oddities, right under Coney Island's famous Wonder Wheel. Throughout it all she finds love, friendship, and independence while relying on the holy hands of her Cooking Spirit to guide her. Mr. Ciminello graciously provides the recipes, peppered with life advice, that accompany many of the books' events. I loved the characters' joie de vivre and larger than life personalities. I heartily recommend this book, and thank Forest Avenue Press for providing it for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Queen of Steeplechase Park

[Leah Baer · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ciminello’s new book “The Queen of Steeplechase Park” is a brilliant tale about what it means to choose rapturous life. The burlesque Queen, Belladonna Marie Donato, keeps choosing life & showing the world that love survives & forgiveness exists even in the midst of betrayal & loss.

This funny, sexy novel is full of surprises.
There are amazing recipes placed in between various chapters. (I’ve made some fabulous meals following these recipes.) And passion for food is always part of the story.
There are dangerous mobsters here who make surprising sartorial choices, and there are heroes who come “in all shapes & sizes” & there is bodacious Bella who always “grabs life by the clams”! Intense love, in all its forms, is threaded through this wild & magical roller coaster ride.

While I read this novel, I imagined voluptuous Bella, & I kept thinking of Cher in “Moonstruck” and of Sophia Loren in “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” and I decided that someone must someday soon make it into a film.

This novel is a treasure.

[Kerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book as a memento from my trip to Powell’s City of Books in Portland, Oregon last Autumn. The fact that author David Ciminello was from Portland was a plus for me. I immediately fell in love with the bright and bold image of Belladonna Marie Donato and the summary of the young woman’s story of courage and independence in the face of adversity. As I read, I grew attached to not only Bellasdonna, but also the would-be misfits that filled her life, The tremendous cooks, Big Betty LoMinico and Mrs. Concannon who mothered her, The queer Terrelli Lombardi, the pansexual, Francis Anthony Mozzarelli, and the cross-dressing mobster Dino Montebalogna, who loved her, the circus family, and her own La Famigla, and their stories. The food was as much of a character as any in this spicy look at this first-generation Italian American’s coming of age story set in 1930s New Jersey. Buon appetito! Mangiare bene! Stare bene! Delizioso!

[erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belladonna is such a lovable heroine in this story about generational trauma and resilience. I had to keep reminding myself of how young she is throughout this story- an adolescent coping with family trauma, poverty, cultural, and spiritual issues. Her connection to cooking and caretaking is woven throughout her story as she, in spite of her shitty parents, is capable of forming meaningful connections in her young life. The author’s use of humor brings levity to an, at times, very sad narrative. The recipes are inspiring as is Bella’s Cooking Spirit. The characters are interesting and made real through the author’s description. The fundamental belief(s) that good food, connection to one’s faith and genuine love (and not just romantic love) can overcome great loss makes this an irresistible page turner.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen of Steeplechase Park by David Ciminello is the story of Belladonna Marie Donato. A woman who has endured and triumphed over adversity with strength, elegance, grace and wry humour.

Bella's life is one of highs equally matched by the lowest lows, but she endures, takes life by the plums and carpes the ever-loving beans out of the diem!

I adore this book, not just for the narrative, the writing, the character building, but also the empowerment, inspiration and some cracking good recipes!

Thank you to Netgalley, Forest Avenue Press and the author David Ciminello for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[briadela · Rating 5 out of 5]

In David Ciminello’s case you can absolutely judge his incredible book by its stunning cover! Bella is destined to be THE QUEEN of 2024’s bookshelf! A collection of colorful characters you won’t soon forget, in a story impossible to predict- I recommend you let yourself be swayed over by the shear joy & heartbreak of Mr. Ciminello’s concise & visually poetic writing style. Let it feed your soul. (Then take action in the kitchen by following the recipes interspersed throughout to feed your belly!)
‼️Warning ⚠️ Difficulties in putting it down may lead to repetitive readings!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a foodie and avid cook, of course I loved the recipes and many food metaphors as you’d figure. The larger than life characters were big in color and energy but also had moments of deep reality and emotion, galloping along with the story but pausing on the cusp of love here and there to make you stop and think about it. I loved the compassion of it and how it was in so many ways a celebration of friendship and queerness and sex and freaks and being yourself even if that comes at a cost. Brava!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read lots of books that were good, and few that were memorable, and even fewer that were downright legendary! The Queen of Steeplechase Park will forever have a place in my reading heart. Belladonna is a heroine you root for as she lives, laughs, and cooks!

Goodreads Score: 5 stars
WEBCAP Score: 30/30

WEBCAP is a reading rating system I developed after having used a previous rating system on Book Riot. My system scores each book along 6 key indicators and are out of 5 possible points.

Writing Style: 5
Enjoyment: 5
Book Cover: 5
Characters: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Plot: 5

[Gemma Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing ride! I love the way the author propels the story along and keeps the reader breathless. Bella is a captivating character, and her spirit is unflagging. The cast of characters is wild and wonderful—it’s a treat to see such a group of outsiders all in one big mash up. The locales are strikingly vivid, and the Coney Island scene is electric. As an added bonus, this book is a fabulous outsize tribute to the real-life aunt of the author.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with very heavy content such as domestic violence and rape. Please make sure you check out the rest of the trigger warnings before consuming this novel. Overall, I liked this book and the author's writing style. Even when the subject was on the more serious side the author has a great sense of humor.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not care for this book because of the excessive bad language, graphically described domestic violence, and general abuse. These elements didn’t add or further the narrative along. The pacing of the book felt like the following: some really terrible thing happens to Bella or someone she cares about, she soldiers on and now for a random Italian recipe.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice story but the recipes drove me crazy. I listened to the audiobook so it wasn't easy to skip over them so I ended up just turning it down until I figured it was done with giving the recipe. It was like an Italian cookbook with a story attached. I know some will enjoy that and think that's it's charm, but I'm not someone that enjoys cooking.

[Reader Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go shopping for your favorite Italian dish ahead of time. You’ll want some comfort food. This book is worth reading but I could see why it’s not for everyone, however if you are okay with the TW it is worth a read.

[Kate Shoop · Rating 3 out of 5]

What the hell did I just read 🤣 And why did I keep reading?! If the author himself wasn't Italian I would be so mad at how he portrayed us. But damn, those Jersey guidos are a special subset of Italians

[Nicole Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever driven by a roadside circus and wondered what, who, was inside that tent, then let your mind wander with all that's possible, and isn't, this book is for you. An absolute ride, screaming with joy, love, and heartache from start to finish.

[Hope]

I quit around 200 pages. This seemed like it was going to be a jubilant, humorous and fun read, but it was filled with heavy topics like rape, domestic violence and sexual abuse all for the sake of those topics and not driving any plot forward. It made me feel icky.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gem of a book. Very sad in places, very happy in others. Recipes too. Clever. Raw in places. Read it. Comes out in May I believe.