Love and Pasta - Joe Vergara - 1960's First Edition with Illustrations by Seymour Chwast - Memoir
"Ok," he said finally, "I tell-a you my story." Another sip of his wine. "Once-a, long time ago, there was little boy name-a Rosario - that's-a me. This Rosario, he live in a beautifu' villagio in Calabria - on one-a side big-a high mountains, on other side wonderfu' blue sea - the Mediterraneo..."
{ABOUT THE STORY}
Rosario hadn't planned to stay in America. When at 14, he sailed from southern Italy, his object had been simple and direct - to acquire a trunkful of gold as quickly as possible and to take it back to his mother Calabria. But marriage had come, bringing in its wake three aggressively American sons whose major purpose in life seemed to be to Americanize Rosario. He had to resist attempts to Americanize the grounds of his home (he hated lawns), the bookkeeping method (a cigar box) he used in his shoe-repair shop, and his system for paying bills (the same cigar box). He was reluctantly introduced to the mysteries of poker, football, cash registers, and a host of other American idiosyncrasies. He was even expected, on occasion, to eat non-Italian food.
Many of these efforts Rosario more or less warded off, but one day he found himself in a no man's land from which there was no retreat. The United States and Italy were at war. His three sons were on the American side and his relatives and Italian compa's on the other. Here is the warm poignant story of one Italian immigrant and the American family he raised. And here is what it was like to be a member of that family - the noise, the humor, the frustrations, and, always, the love.
{SPECIAL FEATURES}
- First Edition
- Original dust jacket and interior illustrations designed by iconic mid-century artist illustrator Seymour Chwast
- Published in 1968
- Memoir
- Written by Joe Vergara, a long-time editor at Harper & Row
- 184 pages
{CONDITION}
In gorgeous vintage condition. Bright, clean pages. Intact spine. Clean, colorful dust jacket except for a small light stain on back of jacket at top edge and a small chip to the spine section of jacket at top edge. Cover boards are clean and bright.
{WHY IT IS WONDERFUL}
You'll be in love with Rosario from page 19 when he shares his story with you in his wonderful Italian- American accent. Offering a fun view into the lives of midcentury life as seen from an outsiders perspective this book is sweet and charming and completely loveable.