Straddling the Borders: The Year I Grew Up In Italy

by Martha T. Cummings

Jo, an Italian-American woman, moves to Italy to connect, on a spiritual level, with her nonno, the grandfather she never knew. Along the way, she experiences an Italy that romps inside and outside the guidebook descriptions of the land--an Italy that forces her beyond the lines of her well-ordered life. Italy’s boot kicks hard with humor, fear, loneliness, love, and unparalleled friendship, until Jo finally learns not to kick back. Martha Cummings drew on her Italian roots and trips abroad to write her first novel about the object of her passion--Italy. Martha was born and raised in the outskirts of Boston, MA, after which she spent nearly 20 years as an administrator and a teacher in independent schools.

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually didn't get far in this book, 3 chapters in and it almost seemed like a poorly written take of Eat Pray Love, disjointed writing and immature unregulated emotions...

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious and heartwarming jaunt through Italy. A touching search for identity and family. A love story.

Thank you, Ms. Cummings for your contribution to American literature. Please give us more!

[Mary Mcclain · Rating 2 out of 5]

immigrant story/roots/research

[Julie Busa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I would have liked more of the humor the author showed at the beginning of the book.