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My Warped Italian Catholic Childhood: Little Rosemarie of the 50's is Confessing Sins at the Gossip Window
My Warped Italian Catholic Childhood is a comedic throwback to the fifties era. In this comedic memoir, Little Rosemarie is a misplaced ward of the times. Her attempt to adapt to the traditions of her culture, coupled with the dogma of the Catholic church is overwhelming.
Because the tale is narrated through the eyes of an innocent child; her recollections are even funnier and engaging. Little Rosemarie trudges through her daily life questioning her puzzling existence. Guilt, sin, the devil, the lack of sex education, and the unmerciful instruction of The Sisters Of Mercy befuddle the sprite.
She implores Jesus to submit to her wiles by bribing Him! The Blessed Mother is her go-to-Jesus-ally. The devil is her comrade when it fits her situation.
She realizes that her family is dysfunctional, but can’t figure out the definitive answers or origination of the flaws. Her grandfather must have been the culprit—he was a mean, angry man.
He initiated the craziness.
The gossip window is the predominant and popular form of communication of the times.
Come sit at the window. Lend her your ear. Little Rosemarie is about to confess her innermost secrets.
If you don’t care to laugh and enjoy a fun tale of the times. Stop reading. On the other hand, if you can relate or have lived the experience with the Italian/Catholic tradition, continue on and purchase the narrative.
If you like history and are curious about past eras to compare and contrast; and have a laugh sensor in your brain; this story is for you. This religious comedy is refreshing, unique, and at times shocking! Disappointed, you will not be. Scroll down and click the purchase button.
Because the tale is narrated through the eyes of an innocent child; her recollections are even funnier and engaging. Little Rosemarie trudges through her daily life questioning her puzzling existence. Guilt, sin, the devil, the lack of sex education, and the unmerciful instruction of The Sisters Of Mercy befuddle the sprite.
She implores Jesus to submit to her wiles by bribing Him! The Blessed Mother is her go-to-Jesus-ally. The devil is her comrade when it fits her situation.
She realizes that her family is dysfunctional, but can’t figure out the definitive answers or origination of the flaws. Her grandfather must have been the culprit—he was a mean, angry man.
He initiated the craziness.
The gossip window is the predominant and popular form of communication of the times.
Come sit at the window. Lend her your ear. Little Rosemarie is about to confess her innermost secrets.
If you don’t care to laugh and enjoy a fun tale of the times. Stop reading. On the other hand, if you can relate or have lived the experience with the Italian/Catholic tradition, continue on and purchase the narrative.
If you like history and are curious about past eras to compare and contrast; and have a laugh sensor in your brain; this story is for you. This religious comedy is refreshing, unique, and at times shocking! Disappointed, you will not be. Scroll down and click the purchase button.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
150 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2018
96 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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July 17, 2018A true disappointment. Being both Italian and catholic and having gone to 12 yrs of catholic schools I was hopeful that this book would resonate with me. Not so. I suffered through to the end only because it is a very short book but I couldn’t wait for it to be over. If I had to see one more exclamation point or read “Confess it!” one more time, I would have been screaming just like the young girl pictured on the book cover. I have never written a bad review before but sadly I cannot recommend this book to anyone.
November 6, 2018
This was really more of a journal than a cohesive book. Catholicism was three fourths of my identity for the first nineteen years of my life, so I'd hoped it would resonate more, but that wasn't the case. Different decade, and I wasn't put through the school situation, which may be part of it, I suppose. Neither did I have an Italian family; mine was way, way less functional than hers. I'm actually a bit jealous.
Either way, she does not understate the guilt factor; even half of a "wrong" thought can be paralyzing if you're indoctrinated enough. And yes, the degree of ignorance enforced on some matters ranged from foolish to straight up dangerous. (I was flat out lied to on several points. Though is it still a lie if the person doesn't know enough to realize they're lying? "Forgive them their ignorance, Lord, and I will try to do the same." That was my mantra, growing up. Repetition. Gads, but the prayers were repetitive. How many nights can one kid stay awake at night praying just one more decade of the rosary... then just one more after that... but it was calming. Hypnotic, even, a guided meditation that clears the mind, letting God's voice come through- and as always, God is love. I've visited numerous denominations, and only the Catholics seemed to me to have that combination of joy and peaceful reverence that I always associated with the concept of God.)
I was on the fence choosing a rating here. The author, I'd give four stars, not for style or eloquence, but because I genuinely liked her. Ratings here are for the books, however, honestly is as always paramount, and the book itself was a bit disjointed, a tad whiny, and didn't show as much personal growth as I would have liked.
Nuns don't have special bathroom exemptions. Cute, and sort of funny; I remember how kids think. Sex... heh, I was so in the dark there too, obviously nun seemed the best option (do they do that on purpose? When the bishop briefly placed his ring on my finger at First Communion brunch, I wondered if I'd just actually married God.) We all have little stories like that. And they're silly, amusing. But some questions never get asked, and maybe should. That just-a-man to whom you're confessing (why not just ask Jesus? The comfort of a human voice telling you it's all right... at least, that seems to be the intent) is also telling you what and how to think, who to be, how to live. Same question goes. Why not just ask God?
I really feel bad about the low rating, but I can't skew my criteria for books out of sentimentality. I can say that if there was a next book, I would probably read it. A little more cleaning up, editing organization, maybe a few uplifting bridge anecdotes in the right places, and this could have been great. Even as it stands, there are plenty of people who want to hear what's being said there. The message means more than the flaws, except to people who don't already understand the message. Consider the audience you want to reach, and speak to them. If this is just a nostalgic fling, then five stars and bells. As it stands, many people just won't get it. I'm sorry. Thank you for writing. I really did appreciate it.
Either way, she does not understate the guilt factor; even half of a "wrong" thought can be paralyzing if you're indoctrinated enough. And yes, the degree of ignorance enforced on some matters ranged from foolish to straight up dangerous. (I was flat out lied to on several points. Though is it still a lie if the person doesn't know enough to realize they're lying? "Forgive them their ignorance, Lord, and I will try to do the same." That was my mantra, growing up. Repetition. Gads, but the prayers were repetitive. How many nights can one kid stay awake at night praying just one more decade of the rosary... then just one more after that... but it was calming. Hypnotic, even, a guided meditation that clears the mind, letting God's voice come through- and as always, God is love. I've visited numerous denominations, and only the Catholics seemed to me to have that combination of joy and peaceful reverence that I always associated with the concept of God.)
I was on the fence choosing a rating here. The author, I'd give four stars, not for style or eloquence, but because I genuinely liked her. Ratings here are for the books, however, honestly is as always paramount, and the book itself was a bit disjointed, a tad whiny, and didn't show as much personal growth as I would have liked.
Nuns don't have special bathroom exemptions. Cute, and sort of funny; I remember how kids think. Sex... heh, I was so in the dark there too, obviously nun seemed the best option (do they do that on purpose? When the bishop briefly placed his ring on my finger at First Communion brunch, I wondered if I'd just actually married God.) We all have little stories like that. And they're silly, amusing. But some questions never get asked, and maybe should. That just-a-man to whom you're confessing (why not just ask Jesus? The comfort of a human voice telling you it's all right... at least, that seems to be the intent) is also telling you what and how to think, who to be, how to live. Same question goes. Why not just ask God?
I really feel bad about the low rating, but I can't skew my criteria for books out of sentimentality. I can say that if there was a next book, I would probably read it. A little more cleaning up, editing organization, maybe a few uplifting bridge anecdotes in the right places, and this could have been great. Even as it stands, there are plenty of people who want to hear what's being said there. The message means more than the flaws, except to people who don't already understand the message. Consider the audience you want to reach, and speak to them. If this is just a nostalgic fling, then five stars and bells. As it stands, many people just won't get it. I'm sorry. Thank you for writing. I really did appreciate it.
May 2, 2018
Disappointing and poorly written. Don't waste your time.
Well, this book was SO bad... How bad was it?? It was SO bad I created a new Goodreads shelf for it - and any other books that I can't finish because I do not want to waste any more of my life on it. And I normally finish nearly everything I start reading, partly because it's a point of pride, partly to give a book a fair shake, partly because I hope it improves, and sometimes, partly because it's so bad it's amusing in a perverse way - I might not believe how bad it is, but can't look away anyway. But this book is just terrible, and not even remotely entertaining.
I'm giving up on this at 45% completed. I was intrigued by the premise - heck, I lived a Catholic childhood in the 50s, if an Irish one, and was looking for a humorous memoir of those times. It sounded like fun. However, it is SO. POORLY. WRITTEN. I couldn't stand the sentence fragments, lousy punctuation, and boring narrative. Even a good editor couldn't have helped. I'm sorry - I actually feel bad - to leave such a negative review for the sake of Ms. Chauvin, as I'm sure she worked hard on it, but sorry, she's not even a fairly adequate writer. Even as a free book on Amazon, it was overpriced. Don't bother.
Well, this book was SO bad... How bad was it?? It was SO bad I created a new Goodreads shelf for it - and any other books that I can't finish because I do not want to waste any more of my life on it. And I normally finish nearly everything I start reading, partly because it's a point of pride, partly to give a book a fair shake, partly because I hope it improves, and sometimes, partly because it's so bad it's amusing in a perverse way - I might not believe how bad it is, but can't look away anyway. But this book is just terrible, and not even remotely entertaining.
I'm giving up on this at 45% completed. I was intrigued by the premise - heck, I lived a Catholic childhood in the 50s, if an Irish one, and was looking for a humorous memoir of those times. It sounded like fun. However, it is SO. POORLY. WRITTEN. I couldn't stand the sentence fragments, lousy punctuation, and boring narrative. Even a good editor couldn't have helped. I'm sorry - I actually feel bad - to leave such a negative review for the sake of Ms. Chauvin, as I'm sure she worked hard on it, but sorry, she's not even a fairly adequate writer. Even as a free book on Amazon, it was overpriced. Don't bother.
July 13, 2018
Excellent Read, humorous stories of true life as a kid growing up in a Catholic community!
I happened on this wonderful book and knew I wanted to read it if nothing else but to try and determine if my one year at Catholic school really happened as I remembered it! After reading this author's account at age 65, I am vindicated! In Sister Fahan's 5th grade class in an effort not to be called upon in class and be humiliated, I would squeeze my eyes shut, hold my breath, pray really hard until I literally believed that I was invisible, the ' if I couldn't see her she couldn't see me' theory. Catholic school for me was pure misery five days a week! Sat. was confession, Sun. was mass and communion. Did I mention a rotation of priests would come over to a fish dinner and cocktails on Friday evenings? This didn't help me in confession when the priest opened the window to the confessional and said, "Good morning Susan Lynn"! Again, I thought I'd been invisible behind that window!
I happened on this wonderful book and knew I wanted to read it if nothing else but to try and determine if my one year at Catholic school really happened as I remembered it! After reading this author's account at age 65, I am vindicated! In Sister Fahan's 5th grade class in an effort not to be called upon in class and be humiliated, I would squeeze my eyes shut, hold my breath, pray really hard until I literally believed that I was invisible, the ' if I couldn't see her she couldn't see me' theory. Catholic school for me was pure misery five days a week! Sat. was confession, Sun. was mass and communion. Did I mention a rotation of priests would come over to a fish dinner and cocktails on Friday evenings? This didn't help me in confession when the priest opened the window to the confessional and said, "Good morning Susan Lynn"! Again, I thought I'd been invisible behind that window!
October 5, 2019
She wrote the story of my Italian childhood!
The only difference is the "good" sisters gave me the gift of Atheism, for which I am eternally grateful! I no longer have to fight the urge to run them down in my car so I guess I am finally in recovery from the physical and mental abuse they subjected me to. Recovered enough to read portions of the book to my husband, who asked me when I had written it!
The only difference is the "good" sisters gave me the gift of Atheism, for which I am eternally grateful! I no longer have to fight the urge to run them down in my car so I guess I am finally in recovery from the physical and mental abuse they subjected me to. Recovered enough to read portions of the book to my husband, who asked me when I had written it!
February 24, 2020
Totally enjoyed this book. Sparked many "happy" memories for me; from the cursive writing, to the gum on your nose to the ruler on the knuckles, so many memories. If you were brought up in an Italian family, this book will bring back many fond and not so fond memories. Only difference was my family allowed you a finger of wine in your orange soda on special occasions! Thanks for a wonderful and fast read.
April 13, 2018
This wonderful series of anecdotes was such fun to read and had me in stitches. They're not anti-Catholic or anti-Italian, they're just how it was. For anyone who had a tough time growing up and for anyone who didn't - this is so worth reading. Can't wait for the next one.
October 6, 2019
It's okay
I'm a survivor of Catholic school, but I don't remember it being quite as awful. Perhaps Little Rosemarie was more advanced than I to find her treatment at school anything other than normal. I.I'm not sure the author has recovered yet.
I'm a survivor of Catholic school, but I don't remember it being quite as awful. Perhaps Little Rosemarie was more advanced than I to find her treatment at school anything other than normal. I.I'm not sure the author has recovered yet.
April 19, 2018
As someone who spent 12years in Catholic School I am really enjoying this. So many things I forgot or did I just block out. My background was Irish, not Italian but I can still relate.
May 2, 2018
It is so funny!!!! I learned a lot about Italian Catholic Family that I have never imagined through Little Rosemarie's eyes. Couldn't put it down! Highly recommended!
August 31, 2018
I grew up Italian Catholic in the 60s. Other than the big family holidays, we had little in common.
Was a decent, quick read though.
Was a decent, quick read though.
October 13, 2019
This book brought back so much of catholic school education. Dang, those nuns were scary!!
April 13, 2021
Love the honesty and parallel to my memoir "Bless Me Father for I have Sinned." The author gives us permission to be ourselves with all that went with being raised Catholic.
March 15, 2024
Could/would not finish- too simplistic...
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June 2, 2018A simple rant
This book is available series of complaints that almost everyone born in the 50s, regardless of ethnicity, has common.I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this. I refuse to believe that EVERY nun was this mean, and by the way, there are no "relics" of Jesus. Please Rosemarie, get counseling or a good friend and learn to be happy that you grew up in a loving family with enough to eat and with a Catholic education.
This book is available series of complaints that almost everyone born in the 50s, regardless of ethnicity, has common.I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this. I refuse to believe that EVERY nun was this mean, and by the way, there are no "relics" of Jesus. Please Rosemarie, get counseling or a good friend and learn to be happy that you grew up in a loving family with enough to eat and with a Catholic education.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews