Immigrant Hearts

by Catherine Gigante-Brown

Immigrant Hearts is a vintage love story that spans generations. It follows the lives of Luisa and Antonio, a seamstress and tailor in the garment industry who meet in 1920s Brooklyn. Their expansive romance stretches across more than 40 years, exploring the large and small things that compose a life-joy, loss, poverty, prosperity, prejudice...and love, always love. Inspired by true events, richly imagined by the author.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2025

About the author

Catherine Gigante-Brown has been a freelance writer of fiction, nonfiction and poetry for more than 30 years, since the ripe young age of fifteen. Her works have appeared in a variety of publications, including Time Out New York, Essence, Seventeen and The Italian Journal of Wine and Food. Along with Robert “The Harrad Experiment” Rimmer, she co-wrote two biographies for Prometheus Books (Mistress Jacqueline’s Whips & Kisses and Jerry Butler’s Raw Talent).

Her short stories appear in several fiction anthologies and her essay, “When I was Young,” was included in Penguin Books’ Vietnam Voices. A number of her screenplays have been produced by small, independent companies. Her essay “Autumn of 9/11” was awarded first prize in The Brooklyn Public Library’s 2004 “My Brooklyn” contest. Her work, Weekender, was included in the Rosendale Theatre Collective’s first annual Short Play Festival.

Gigante-Brown’s novels, “The El Trilogy” (“The El,” “The Bells of Brooklyn” and “Brooklyn Roses”), “Different Drummer” and “Better than Sisters” (which includes her poetry) are published by Volossal.

Born and bred in Brooklyn, New York, Gigante-Brown, her husband and son make their home there and upstate in Rosendale.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not wait to get this book when I learned it was coming out and it did not disappoint. Beautifully written that I devoured in two days did not want it to end. Was just as great as Better than Sisters and the El Trilogy. Highly recommend all of these books. And I do have a question WHATS NEXT

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Immigrant Hearts: Catherine Gigante Brown


By Just Reviews by:gabina49: on April 7, 2025
Immigrant Hearts

Living in a small village in the province of Cosenza called San Vincenzo, Antonio lived and hoped he’d leave there someday. The world around his church was his escape to look at and joining the military he was chosen to be a tailor and not see combat. He lived his life by his parent’s decisions as we meet Luisa who lived in fear of her mother as you’ll learn because one child had to remain with her mother and poor Beatrice was left behind., Assunta resented Luisa who did all the things she could not having another child and treating her with coldness and ire we witness it even more. Mistakes were punished and then we meet Henrietta who is Antonio’s mother, and we get an insight into his personality and more.

Antonio had his dream and left to go to America while Luisa was always tending jobs her mother gave her just hoping to hi to school and read books. No one else in her family understood why this was her passion.

Assunta expresses her worries for Luisa and moving ahead to 1926 we see Antonio still living in the same place and hardly venturing places where money is needed. Very frugal.

Then Antonio and Lucia meet what a breathtaking meeting and will it turn into more?

His parents have a negative attitude about where she comes from and are not happy with his choice. Her family seems uncomfortable as Antonio’s manners and the way he eats makes them uncomfortable and more.

Then married and what happens when he finally sees his mother and his father and brother working.

A wedding that was amazing and poor Henrietta would never see as her life ended in a tragic way with no one there to mourn at the time.

Assunta was concerned about her daughter, but the wedding was great but what’s next?

A wedding to remember but was her father ok and her mother was so enthralled plus the gifts they got and the train ride to Niagara Falls plus her reaction to the train and you could feel their happiness.

Sadness upon the loss of his mother and Luisa her mother’s visit always the same as the year ends and now 1928.

Luisa is creating her own fashions she’d make a great fashion brand.

Things changed after Gloria was born and seemed to want all the attention and Luisa had to find a way plus doing her housework. Then we hear Assunta lament her life and appearance no longer young and no more children sad but reality hurts at times.

Luisa and Antonio will experience a sadness and hopefully get through it with help from her mother and a friend. Then a miracle and a bookstore giving Luisa a goal a d hope so why did her mother criticize it?

Life changed as Antonio began working in a new business and Luisa at the bookstore giving her excitement and more. When called innovative it really helped her soar and Valerie her boss inventive and pioneering. Assunta never praised Luisa why?

Jealousy was about others all the time.

Things change her mother oases and her father seems to have taken an active role helping and enjoying the children whereas Antonio’s business is falling as the war in Europe has taken its toll and impact on everyone and everything. How would it affect her family even more has yet to be seen? Gloria is facing bullies in school and name calling and is hiding what is said from Luisa. Things seem about to explode.

The war created problems for Antonio and Charles and name calling for Gloria and growing up problems plus her father was seeing someone and tensions and fears rose. Antonio had to close one store and Luisa and Valerie added more to the bookstore plus the war pushed on and everything changed. The children were getting difficult and Antonio just wanted to give them more but, in the end, where will it all wind up? Movies, the World’s Fair and so many changes but Antonio was asked something and refused? Why

A heartfelt biography that takes many decades and changes in the lives of Antonio and Luisa and many other immigrants who just wanted to live their lives without fear and needing hope. Voices were heard each character expressed their own as we learn the final moments and outcome of Luisa and Antonio and their families. Getting on my nerves then war, threatening Antonio getting hurt, her father and Valerie where will they move Gionni and his mischief and finally the gangster Mario Inzitari is killed and relief. Gloria bd Valerie are helpers during the dinner and Valerie and Giuseppe talked about wanting a place of their own. Then a surprise for Luisa and a deal. How about the rest of the family their Tesco?

Why attend the Mario’s funeral? Then her daughter sends her something that inspired this book to be written by the author as you learn more when you read chapters December 1940 and the Epilogue. Immigrant hearts is what makes the world go round. So true as my grandparents were immigrants and created businesses and more for those that came here.

Fran Lewis just reviews

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