Tony's Wife: : the perfect romantic novel from the author of Big Stone Gap

By Adriana Trigiani

'Tony's Wife does not disappoint . . . Adriana's books are full of humour, warmth and passion' SANTA MONTEFIORE

The brand new novel from the bestselling author of The Shoemaker's Wife, a Richard and Judy Book Club pick

When Chi Chi Donatelli and Saverio Armandonada meet by chance on the Jersey shore, the two form a duo that takes the music industry by storm. Together they navigate the glamorous world of show business, from Hollywood and Las Vegas to New York City and beyond, but after a dream wedding they quickly realise that one of them will soon have to make a choice: who will put their professional ambition aside to build a family, and who will remain in the spotlight?

As they juggle the demands of their public lives, secrets will be revealed, promises will be broken and loyalty will be tested . . . 

The newest romantic novel from Adriana Trigiani, beloved author of Big Stone Gap and The Shoemaker’s Wife. Featuring feisty women, frantic families and fabulous friendships, Adriana Trigiani always warms the heart.

‘Rich and compelling… fascinating, thoughtful and moreish.  I couldn’t put it down’  DAILY MAIL

'Tony's Wife is an immersive experience with well-rounded, warm characters, pre-WWII fashion, Jersey accents, and homemade pasta. Moving and delightful' BOOKLIST

‘Trigiani fills this novel with the musical delights of the big band era and a love that lasts a lifetime . . . Packed with melodies, memories, humor, and love and loss, this effortlessly plotted novel is an emotional page-turner’ PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
 
‘Here’s a big, sweeping family novel to soak into’ ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY  

Praise for ADRIANA TRIGIANI:

'Stylishly written, this is a wide-ranging romp of a read about friendship, family, love and loyalty' DAILY MAIL

‘The author of Big Stone Gap triumphs again’ HEAT magazine

'A gorgeous piece of escapism . . . Plenty of the warm, earthy humour that is this author's calling card' THE TIMES

'A rich, sweeping epic... If you're meeting her work for the first time, get ready for a lifelong love affair. Splendid'  KATHRYN STOCKETT, author of THE HELP 

‘A tender tale of being torn between family, career and love’ COMPANY magazine 

'A comedy writer with a heart of gold' NEW YORK TIMES

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: May 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781471136450

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 Tony's Wife

[nwieme-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Quite a disappointment after others that I've read by her. I did finish it- and I'm not sure why. Just a story about a young, Italian girl who gives up everything for nothing.

[bookchickdi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Adriana Trigiani's newest novel, Tony's Wife, begins in 1932 Detroit. Saverio Armandonada (that's a mouthful!) is on his way to work in the Ford motor plant, along with this father Leone and all the other men in the neighborhood.Saverio's job is to bolt the driver's door handle on 978 cars every day, ten hours a day, six days a week. On the seventh day, Saverio sings in the church choir. He has the loveliest voice in the choir, everyone said so.On Christmas Eve, he was all set to give fellow choir member Cheryl a beautiful necklace and declare his love. When his love life doesn't work out as he planned, he gets an offer to audition for a band. His father is furious that Saverio would give up a good steady job for the unknown life as a singer, and throws him out of the house.Chi Chi Donatelli lives in New Jersey with her family, where they all work in a textile factory. But Chi Chi dreams of being a singer, and her father supports her, even building a studio in their garage to record Chi Chi and her sisters in the hopes of becoming the next big girl group.Chi Chi meets Saverio, hoping that he can get her record to a music label. They spend the day at the beach, and Tony is smitten with Chi Chi, although she is wary of his playboy ways. Tony is invited to the Donatellis for Sunday dinner, and he envies Chi Chi the warmth of her family. How he wished he had that!Saverio and Chi Chi both dream of becoming stars, and they fall in love and marry. Chi Chi fears that becoming a wife and mother will force her to give up the life she has come to relish- writing and recording songs, performing on stage with Sav (now known as Tony Arma).They move to Hollywood, where Chi Chi writes songs and cares for their children, while Tony tours the country and works as an actor in films. Chi Chi wants the traditional Italian family that she grew up with, but it appears that Tony may no longer want that. Can their marriage survive?Anyone who loves the music of the 1940s and 1950s will adore Tony's Wife. Trigiani names each chapter as a direction in music- Feroce, Crescendo, Teneramente- adding to the authenticity of this engaging story. She even includes song lyrics throughout and a Tony Arma discography at the end of the book.I found Chi Chi's story so very captivating. She is such a strong woman, a woman who took care of her family's finances and took charge of her career and life, all the time remaining traditional to her family values. I absolutely fell in love with her!As with everyone, there are ups and downs in Chi Chi's life, happy times and incredibly sad and challenging times too. Once again, the cover art work is astonishing, and the descriptions of family meals and the beautiful clothing so evocative that you use all of your senses while reading this gorgeous story.Tony's Wife would make a perfect hostess gift if you are traveling for Thanksgiving, as well as a lovely gift during this holiday season. Pair it with a Frank Sinatra record and a bottle of good Chianti as a gift to your best friend as well as for yourself. I highly recommend Tony's Wife.

[shetreadssoftly · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani is a highly recommended historical family drama that begins in the Big Band Era and flows through the decades.Saverio Armandonada is kicked out of his home by his father on Christmas Eve, 1932, when he wants to forego working at the auto plant and pursue a singing career. Later, before the start of WWII and after he experiences some success, he meets the feisty Chi Chi (Chiara) Donatelli at Sea Isle City on the Jersey Shore. She wants a career in music too, and although she is attracted to Saverio, she also realizes that he is a womanizer, and besides all that, she is very serious about a career on her terms and wants no part of marriage. Later she meets Saverio again. Now he has changed his name to Tony Arma. The two begin to work together as friends in Tony's band and become a successful singing act. She writes successful songs and Tony has hits singing them.Then WWII begins and Tony joins the Navy. As he receives Chi Chi's friendly letters, he realizes he has strong feelings for her and pursues her. She is uncertain because she has seen him with many other women over the time she has worked with him. He swears she is the only woman for him and finally she agrees to marry him. Then, the girl who never wanted to get married, has twin girls while Tony is still enlisted. This marks a change in Chi Chi's life, because now she is the one who must set her career aside and take care of their family. In the meantime, Tony returns and returns to life on the road, singing, and womanizing. Now Chi Chi has some difficult decisions to make as she lives life on her own terms.This is a drama following a passionate Italian family full of life and opinions. It is well written and follows the characters from the 1930s to the 1980's, although the earlier years are much more detailed and the later years rushed. Once the plot took shape, it did become a bit predictable. Chi Chi is the main character and the one who is truly portrayed as a complete individual. The historical setting adds a special touch to the saga, along with the strong family connections and opinions that Chi Chi holds. Trigiani definitely captures the emotions and closeness of a devoted Italian family and their many extended connections.The first part of the book features a strong narrative voice from Chi Chi, with Saverio's character having his own issues and feelings that are also clearly presented. Then the novel changed, and the main narrative voice is Chi Chi. Tony becomes, quite frankly, a cad. I've been back and forth on this novel. There were parts where it is a page-turner that I enjoyed quite a bit, and others that left me a bit bored. It will appeal to Trigiani's many fans and does introduce an unforgettable character in Chi Chi. It's also a good choice for anyone who loves a sweeping family saga that covers a lifetime.Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from HarperCollins.

[mojomomma_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Capable and talented Chi Chi marries her musical partner Tony and deals with his infidelity while raising the kids and keeping up her song writing career. She’s such a saint it makes me angry!

[brangwinn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I picked this up because of the author, but I wasn’t impressed. The characters had no depth. The language seemed unrealistic. This was one of the few books I did not finish reading.