Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Review by Pat D. (pat0814)
The Padavano family is a close-knit Italian family living in Chicago. It is comprised of the matriarch Rose, Charlie, her husband, the dreamer, and four daughters: Julia, Sylvie and the twins, Emmeline and Cecilia. The four daughters are especially close under the watchful eye of Rose and their caring father, who greets each of the girls with “Hello, beautiful” when they enter a room.
Each of the girls has strengths that contribute to their essential well-being. They compare themselves to the characters in Little Women. When Julia marries William, their lives are momentarily upended. William is the child of a loveless home and is swept up into belonging to acceptance by this family. What follows is a demonstration that the sisters maintain their tight bond. Rose is shattered when divorce, a pregnancy out of wedlock, and homosexuality intrude into what she wanted the world to perceive as her perfect family. An unexpected marriage by one of the sisters leaves her devastated from her new home in Florida and a rift in this family. Throughout their sometimes-turbulent lives, they are strengthened by the memories of Charlie’s unconditional love.
Ann Napolitano continues the tradition she began with Dear Edward in these in-depth character and family studies. This is a profoundly insightful novel into the deep love and losses of these people.
5 stars.
