Imagine a story filled with the elements of family drama, romance, passion, the power of dreams, and historical settings; sounds immensely intriguing, does it not? Well, that’s just half the goodness of Adriana Trigiani’s novel titled ‘Kiss Carlo.’
Trigiani is one of those authors who has been able to make a name for herself in several genres, including historical fiction, romance, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and so much more.
Drawing inspiration from her Italian American heritage and the journey her ancestors made from Italy to America themselves, she induces autobiographical elements in many of her works, and Kiss Carlo is one such example.
Sprawled across various places, Trigiani blends familial bonds with personal dreams to create a story that keeps you hooked until the last page. An intergenerational story that conveys the message that love ultimately does conquer all, and this novel wonderfully displays the author’s storytelling skills.
In this article, we will discuss the summary of Kiss Carlo, its characters, and quotes from the novel that the readers will remember long after they finish the book.
| Title | Kiss Carlo |
|---|---|
| Author | Adriana Trigiani |
| Publication Year | 2017 |
| Genre | Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Family Saga |
| Setting | Philadelphia, 1949 |
| Protagonist | Nicky Castone |
| Antagonist | Alberto "The Hat" Bonanno |
| Themes | Family, love, ambition, community, identity |
| Plot Summary | In post-war Philadelphia, Nicky Castone works for his family's taxi cab company but dreams of becoming an actor. He gets involved in a feud between his family and the local mob, led by Don Antonio, which affects his personal and professional life. At the same time, Nicky is caught in a love triangle between Peachy DePino and Calla Borelli. As the story unfolds, Nicky must navigate family loyalties, love, and his own ambitions while trying to bring peace to the warring factions. |
| Major Characters | Nicky Castone, Peachy DePino, Calla Borelli, Don Antonio, Aunt Jo |
| Literary Significance | Kiss Carlo" showcases Adriana Trigiani's storytelling prowess in crafting a rich historical romance. Trigiani's ability to capture the post-war atmosphere and the intricacies of family dynamics adds depth to the narrative. The novel delves into themes of self-discovery, the pursuit of dreams, and the complexities of love, resonating with readers who appreciate historical fiction intertwined with compelling relationships. Trigiani's engaging prose and vivid characterizations contribute to the book's literary significance. |
Table of Contents
Summary of Kiss Carlo: A Novel by Adriana Trigiani
Kiss Carlo is set in the year 1949 in South Philadelphia following the events of the Second World War. We’re introduced to the Palazzini family, who are thriving professionally with their cab business.
Dominic Palazzini is the head of the family, with his three sons and their respective wives present in the family too. The readers are made aware of the issues Dominic has with his brother, Mike, and how the problems are slowly resurfacing.
Amidst this ambiance, we’re introduced to Nicky Castone, an orphaned child and Dominic’s nephew. At the age of 30, his life involves working as a cab driver for his uncle and being engaged to Peachy DePino, who is a bookkeeper.
However, Nicky wants more from life and has dreams of his own, which is why he has been secretly working at the local Shakespeare theater company. He confesses all of this to his fiancé, and as he tries to break their seven-year-long engagement, the entire family gets involved in the chaos.
We come to know that the owner of the Borelli Shakespeare Theatre is a man named Sam Borelli, who is passing on the responsibilities of the enterprise to his daughter, Calla Borelli. Nicky feels attracted not only to the alluring stage and everything it offers but also to Calla.
One day, while the theatre is supposed to perform the play Twelfth Night, one of the actors falls sick, and Nicky gets to step in his shoes. This allows him to act opposite Calla, and the mutual attraction between the two characters is pretty evident.
Things take a dramatic turn when Nicky decides to impersonate an Italian ambassador. The responsibility of this ambassador was to serve as an officiant at the Cadillac Dinner at a place located an hour away from Philadelphia.
Once Nicky takes on this opportunity, it allows him to live life on his terms and also provides fabulous comic relief for the readers. The rest of the novel focuses on secrets getting revealed, masks getting unmasked, and a whole lot of delightful fun.
Review of Kiss Carlo
A major element that stands out in Kiss Carlo is just how effortlessly Trigiani can make her readers laugh. The queen of fiction has created numerous novels displaying her ability to craft heart-wrenching love stories, but this particular story proves she can tickle your ribs while also making you weep.
Trigiani’s theatre background and knowledge are extremely useful in creating the setting for many scenes in the novel, as is evident in the way the theatre actors rehearse, perform, and talk to one another.
Shakespeare’s influence is present in almost every writer, and the same is the case with Trigiani as well, who peppers the novel with references to the great playwright’s creations.
We’re reminded of the comedy of errors that would often occur in the comedies written by Shakespeare while cases of surprising revelations and confusing identities populate Kiss Carlo.
Trigiani pays homage to the plays of the previous eras while retaining her originality in creating strong characters and unique situations.
Characters in Kiss Carlo: A Novel by Adriana Trigiani
Trigiani excels in creating witty characters. Some of the ones you will come across in this novel are as follows:
1. Nicky Castone
Nicky is the male protagonist of the novel. Although he works for his uncle, he wishes to do more in his life and has several dreams and aspirations.
2. Calla Borelli
Calls inherits the theatre company from her father. She is a kind person, and Nicky ends up falling for her.
3. Peachy DePino
Peachy just wants to get married and have a family of her own. She gets broken up after being engaged to Nicky for seven long years.
4. Sam Borelli
Sam is the owner of the theatre company. He is extremely passionate about his work and often finds himself nostalgic thinking about it all.
5. Dominic Palazzini
Dominic is the head of the Palazzini family. He is someone who keeps everyone in control and has major problems with his brother, Mike.
Quotes
Memorable quotes form a part of every novel penned by Trigiani. A couple of the quotes you will find yourself coming back to from this story include:
“But now I know that youth isn’t waiting for you on the other side of wisdom.”
“How can you quantify the moment when a person laughs, or when they cry, when they feel? You can’t. It’s the human experience.”
“When you fall in love it has to be from a place of strength. It has to be because you want to build something, not because you need to cling to someone to shore you up or save you.”
“Family is essential; they scoop up their own to rescue them in tragedy, to bind them close, to shore them up and heal them.”
“And just as in life, if a man imagines himself on his deathbed and then works back through the years of his life, he will make better decisions along the way, knowing the end. Or at the very least, he’ll spend his time more wisely.”
Conclusion
Only a few skilled writers can create a world that transports readers to a different era and implant them among quirky and unique characters. Trigiani surely belongs to that list of authors.
Containing some of the most brilliant features of Shakespearean plays, this novel has everything to entertain readers, including mistaken identities, deep and dark secrets, heartbreak, and a band of intriguing characters.
Whether you’re an ardent fan of Trigiani’s works or someone who is new to her stories, you’re bound to enjoy this colorful fictional world.
