Meeting Luciano

by Anna Esaki-Smith

After graduating from college, Emily Shimoda moves back home in upstate New York to live with her eccentric, well-bred mother, Hanako. Little has changed there. Her father's silk ties still hang limply in the closet even though he left years ago, and Hanako busies her days in relentless pursuit of all things European--especially opera. But when Hanako returns from a Pavarotti concert proclaiming that the opera star himself has promised to visit their home, Emily is amused. Until Hanako hires Alex, an aging, widowed carpenter to renovate the house for Pavarotti's imminent arrival--provoking Emily to seriously question her mother's sanity.

As the remodeling consumes Hanako's every waking moment, along with a growing friendship with Alex, Emily grows suspicious of the handyman and the home improvements that her mother haphazardly pours her money into. But as Emily charts the course of her mother's odd preoccupation, and begins to wonder if Pavarotti will indeed make an appearance, she inadvertently finds herself learning some of life's most profound lessons. . . .

Genres: Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[M H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet story about a young woman, just out of college, dealing with her mother who is left alone after an unexpected divorce. It deals with aging, the uncertainty of starting out in life, the difficulty in moving on after an emotionally catastrophic event, the frustrations of home renovations! Opera fans might appreciate it even more. This book is not something I would normally be drawn to, but just having survived overseeing a home renovation for my octogenarian mother, it spoke to me. It was warm, and funny, and a book I'll probably revisit

[Linda Guarnieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected

I wound up loving this book which began a little slowly but draws you in as it moves on. Great characters and wonderful commentary on hopes, dreams and dealing with reality.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible. No plot to this book at all.

[Ann Frese · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5+
Great story with deeper themes of family, tradition, who we are and what holds us together.
Enjoyed it!

[Gordon]

Entertaining for someone like me, an opera fan.

[Salsabeel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Islands.

[Asher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished the book just to find out what happened in the end. When I got to the end, I didn't realize that it was the end and I spent several minutes flipping through the last few pages thinking that I missed somemething.
The most interesting character is the Greek renovation man, Alex. The story moves rather slowly and goes between present and flashbacks that have meaning, but makes the book drag even more.
The story is just as much about the main character's mother as it is the main character. It almost like a 'coming of age' for both of them. I will say that the ending was unexpected and could be considered a 'good' ending.

[Glynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when one's mother decides to 'improve' (undo?) her home (after years of sameness)? Let's say there's a helpful contractor who will help her revisualize the place. What does a returning daughter think of this?

This is an excellent quiet novel about home, about aesthetics, about aging, and ultimately about who choices belong to.

[Richard Janzen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a Japanese-American Mom whose marriage has fallen apart, and has embraced opera and all things Italian. Becomes convinced that Pavaratti will visit her home, so she embarks on an Italian-style renovation. Not that gripping. A bit more like a long short-story than a novel.

[Dinah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little book!

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't buy the relationship between the mother and daughter. Or the mother and the contractor. Some good moments, but not gripping.

[Lana. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Introspective, but slow going. Some beautiful and gentle passages, but didn't grip me.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its more like a long short story than a book, but a really good short story.

[Ebony · Rating 3 out of 5]

i am having a hard time finishing this book but it seems sweet.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow moving, simple story about family and change.