Rococo: A Novel

By Adriana Trigiani

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • One small Italian American town in America gets the makeover it never expected in this “eccentric, unpredictable, entertaining” (The Boston Globe) novel from the author of the beloved Big Stone Gap series

“An artfully designed tale [with] characters so lively they bounce off the page [and] wit so subtle that even the best jokes seem effortless.”—People

Bartolomeo di Crespi is the acclaimed interior decorator—not to mention the most eligible bachelor—in Our Lady of Fatima, New Jersey. From the dazzling shores of the Garden State to the legendary fabric houses of New York City, from the prickly purveyors of fine art in London to the Mediterranean coast of Italy, Bartolomeo is on a mission to bring talent, sophistication, and his aesthetic vision to his hometown. So when the renovation of the local church is scheduled, he assumes there is only one man to oversee the job.

Recruiting an artist and a stained-glass artisan to help with the project—two handsome men who create romantic mayhem among Bartolomeo’s sister, his erstwhile fiancée, and all the other lovelorn ladies of OLOF—Bartolomeo struggles to create art while remaining the steadfast linchpin of the volatile di Crespi clan. Together, Bartolomeo and his team will do more than blow the dust off the old Fatima frescoes—they will turn the town upside down, challenge the faithful, and restore hope where there once was none.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Jun 21, 2005
• ISBN: 9781588364661

Adriana Trigiani

Adriana Trigiani grew up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and now lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. In addition to being the author of Big Stone Gap, Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon and Lucia, Lucia, Adriana is an award-winning playwright, television writer, and documentary filmmaker. Lucia, Lucia was nominated for Richard and Judy's 'Best Read', 2004. She has written the screen adaptation of her novel Big Stone Gap, which she will also direct.

Reviews for Rococo

[juva_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

At the center of this lively and expressive book is Bartolomeo de Crespi, a locally renowned interior designer living in a small New Jersey town. Bartolomeo, or B, as everyone calls him, is about to be given the opportunity of a lifetime. His Catholic Church is about to be renovated and as a member of church counsel, he's in a great position to be hired to do the job. He grew up in this church and has spent countless years yearning for the chance to leave his mark upon the building that has meant so much to him and his family.Although it seems destined to be, B will have to overcome numerous obstructions to achieve his dream. For one thing, the priest doesn't seem to want B for the job. Then there will be the issue of developing the right vision and suitable craftsmen to carry it out. Finally, the issue of money will be raised once the primary financer backs out. Throughout all these challenges, B's large and dramatic family will be by his side to support and occasionally unintentionally obstruct him. But really, that's what having family is all about.This book is definitely rich in detail - both decorative and familial. The drama amongst the family seemed rather over the top and then was very easily resolved, but then, so were all the other problems. The characters are as fantastical as the other events of the book. Don't analyze it too much, this book is meant to be enjoyed. It's is, in fact, a joyful book about finding happiness in labor and close family communities.

[lyndainoregon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bartolomeo di Crespi thinks he's gotten his dream job when commissioned (after some finagling) to renovate his home parish church. As a successful and experienced interior decorator, he's thrilled that a bit of good old-fashioned Italian family influence has swayed the selection committee's choice. But he may have bitten off more than he can chew, especially while juggling family crises, various romantic entanglements (his and those of other family members), and a looming crisis that may put the whole thing in the dumpster.Trigiani does a fine job here of creating the brawling, boisterous di Crespi family, complete with Bartolomeo's malaprop-ridden sister, a series of romantic entanglements, and a resolution that makes up in warm fuzzies for what it may lack in originality or believability.Don't expect great literature here. Just enjoy.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Audio Book read by Stephen HoyeBartolomeo di Crespi is THE decorator in town, proprietor of “The House of B,” and a devout Italian-American Catholic. His dream is to renovate the Our Lady of Fatima parish church, creating an atmosphere of splendor, glory and sense of awe that will bring all the faithful closer to their God. This forms the basic plot line, but there’s a lot more going on. Trigiani has the usual cast of colorful characters, starting with B’s sister Toot (rhymes with “foot”), who is divorced and looking for companionship now that her boys are all out of the house. His fiancée (their parents betrothed them as babies) is Capri Mandelbaum; but they really are just going through the motions for her mother, Aurelia (who is financing the renovation as long as B does the job – and marries Capri). Throw in a nephew who has left college to hang drapes, a back-stabbing priest with his own secrets, an Irish artist/general contractor, a cousin who is bereft in her widowhood, a Mexican glass artist, and more relatives and parishioners than you can keep track of. It’s a loud, happy, emotional group.So what’s not to like? I am a fan of Trigiani’s but this one just doesn’t do it for me. I’m not sure if it’s because her main character, and narrator, is a man, or if it is the abysmal job done by Stephen Hoye reading it. Hoye’s delivery is just too slow and one-note. Unless he was using an English accent for a particular character, I had a hard time distinguishing who was speaking. Everyone just sounded too alike. He has a faint note of depression or ennui, too. I just didn’t connect with the Bartolomeo, so the entire book fell flat for me. I know there is an audio version narrated by Mario Cantone; I would think his delivery would be much better suited to Trigiani’s work.

[sunnydrk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I just adore books by Adriana Trigiani, she is a remarkable storyteller. Unfortunately, Rococo is not her best work and it starts off so slow that I started to question if Ms. Trigiani had even written the book. Thankfully, the book does pick up about 2/3 of the way through. From the start, the book is full of delightful characters that seem to jump off the page, I just wish the plot did the same.

[limelite_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Audio review.Bartolomeo di Crespi, aka “B,” is a devoutly Catholic, forthy-something, New Jersey decorator of Italian descent who experiences trials and travails as he renovates his parish church, Our Lady of Fatima in the 1970s. He is mordanat and has a critics eye, but the was he is written makes him "sound" androgenous, if not downright feminine.Still the story is humorous, well written, with sharply drawn heartwarming characters. "Rococ" is a novel that radiates a strong sense of this large Italian-American family. It overflows with characters and thei lives: B's sister (Toot), his nephew, his in-laws, their relationships ups and downs, and the misdirected hopes of a marriage between him and Capri Mandelbaum, a life-long family friend, whose mother, Aurelia, tries to manipulate the “couple.”This novel is full of human understanding, compassion, decorating detail, and recipes. Reading about these people is like reading about what your friends are doing. I had a strong feeling of inclusion in spite of not being Italian nor RC. B is not quite believable as a man, and is never described as gay, just happily single. But the reader fails to suspend disbelief – how could he be anything else?Good diversion. I seem to be seeking this kind of reading material out in face of the first half of the year spent reading “weightier tomes.” Think I’ll try some more unknown writers just to see what it gets me. And maybe more of Adriana Trigiani's writing as well.

[flame8_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Fun to read, but not as wonderful as all of her other novels. I thought the narrator was a woman for several pages. Still worth reading since she is such a fun author.

[elliepotten · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first Trigiani, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her books. It tells the story of one Bartolomeo di Crespi, interior designer extraordinaire of coastal New Jersey. In between brief flirtations with beautiful women of the design world and dealing with the dramas of his boisterous Italian-American extended family, Bartolomeo manages to secure the job he has always dreamed about: the renovation of his beloved local church, Our Lady of Fatima. However, it soon becomes apparent that there will be huge obstacles to overcome in the quest to turn this old Gothic building into a heavenly haven, and Bartolomeo must bring together all the people he loves and learn a few lessons along the way in order to fulfil his dream.The novel is, quite simply, delicious. It drips with colour and texture, fabrics and furniture, and our charismatic narrator's knowledge and passion for his work infuses every page. The characters are larger than life, and the dialogue within the feisty family just sparkles. I looked forward to returning to the book each time I had to set it aside, and thoroughly enjoyed savouring each and every moment I was reading it. I can't wait to see what else Trigiani has to offer!

[rainbowdarling · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

When reading a book, I generally expect that within 100 pages, I'll have a plot or at least a general idea of where a plot might be. Rococo never seemed to acquire a plot. Mostly it was the story of a petulant bachelor who happened to try to decorate everything in his particular town in New Jersey. The bulk of this book was description - of food, of decor, of clothing, and I was left overwhelmed with description that felt unnecessary and underwhelmed by story that never seemed relevant or even linear.The characters were interesting, but the secondary characters were far more interesting than "B" who, as the main character, seems that he should be therefore the most interesting.The story fell short of my expectations after reading Lucia, Lucia.

[riofriotex · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The main character, B (short for Bartolomeo) is a decorator, and Trigiani has used first person to provide detailed descriptions of interiors and furnishings. Further, she uses marvelous metaphors and similes to do it. This book has some things (especially from page 220 on) to say about friends, family, and faith; rebirth and renewal; love and money; and is an enjoyable read to boot. Finally, it weaves in some great recipes in the story, such as “Our Lady of (Drown Your) Sorrows Cake with Heavenly Frosting,” and a crab and multiple-cheese spread that, toasted with tomato on English muffins, is to die for. Recommended!