Swimming in the Moon: A Novel

Lucia was born in Naples, to a serving girl named Teresa. As Lucian grew, she came to realize that her mother had terrible fits of anger. During one of these fits, Teresa does something that causes the pair of them to need to hide. Lucia suggests they travel to America. Once in their new country, Teresa transforms herself into a vaudeville singer, while Lucia studies in an American high school. But Teresa's episodes continue to get worse, and eventually Lucia's life is changed once again by her mother.

Set against the backdrop of early 20th century Cleveland, this book examines the reality of immigrant life, as well as the early stirrings of labor rights and suffragism. As the story begins to unfold, we learn of the history of Lucia and Teresa in Naples. The scene is set so brilliantly, I swear I could see the ocean out of the corner of my eye as I read. When the setting changes to industrial Cleveland, once again the writing is so vivid, I felt as if I was there. Very rarely have I encountered a book that so thoroughly captured two such different storyworlds, showing beauty in the most unusual ways. That alone was enough to make me adore this book.

However, the glorious writing does not end with setting the scene; we are also delivered very rich, complex characters in each setting. While our two main characters, Lucia and Teresa, written in such a heartbreaking and lovely way, are the major focus of the story, there are several groups of supporting characters that sparkle as well. The author did a wonderful job of capturing the struggle of different immigrant groups, as well as the tenuous labor situation of the time. Also, the topics of mental illness and institutionalization are deftly covered within the story. I felt like the book played out in my mind as a movie would, it was that vivid.

I think fans of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this truly wonderful novel.

I purchased this book because my favorite type of book is Historical Fiction and I also enjoy stories about immigration. I thought this was a good story; but it was very monotone. No Highs and Lows - It stayed the same rhythm thru out the book - slow and steady. Instead of getting lost in the story and living the story thru the characters it was a story to me that I was reading and stayed on the outside of the story observing only. This one just plodded thru for me...not bad just not exciting.

Love historical fiction and this author nailed it! Extra bonus- I got to meet her at my local library when she was doing an author talk. Plan to read her other works.

Historical fiction, with everything going wrong for main character. Then at end of story, everything ends happily. Didn't ring true.

This was a nice find. Wonderful information about the history of immigrants to this country and their struggles. A nice reminder that everyone deserves a chance to making a good life. We should remember this in these days of struggles for those in war torn countries looking for a new life.

I really enjoyed the character development. The Mother fascinated me even though she is not a sympathetic character. In fact, she is portrayed a someone you wouldn't like at all if you met her. But she still kept me intrigued the whole time. Well written, I'll read it again when I have finished the great stack of books in front of me.

This was a wonderful book...the kind that immediately draws the reader in and ends far too soon! Nothing was "cookie cutter" about this story...never boring and simply delightful!

Very easy read. The characters were so believable and I found myself getting emotionally involved very quickly. Being Italian, with ancestors from the Naples area, I had a real attachment to Lucia and her "family" . The story had wonderful substance. These were real people enduring real challenges. I would recommend this book to anyone that wishes to recall the hardships others had to endure so that future generations could live in a more civilized manner.

This story has so many layers, in-depth characters, and the storyline unfolds in a way that really makes the reader connected to each character. Teresa is a single mother, with her dreams of becoming a famous singer, but stifled as a servant. Teresa is such a fascinating, yet sad character, plagued with mental illness that impacts her role as worker and mother. Lucia is a young girl, with an old soul, who takes on the responsibility of taking care of her mother.

As their journey takes them to America, Pamela brings such a raw and open view to the struggle immigrants faced, the challenges of learning a foreign language, and assimilating into a culture that isn't very accepting of foreigners. Told in such vivid detail, the scenes are quite dynamic and the reader will identify with different parts of the story, regardless of his/her own family history.

Pamela covers so many topics: mental illness, single motherhood, women's rights, immigration issues, abuse, worker's rights, women's rights, and self-empowerment. There were many times that I simply had to put the book down and cry. While the book is fiction, there were some incidents that truly did happen, and it simply took my breath away.

If readers have read Pamela's first book, When We Were Strangers, they will love that Lula has a role in this book!! Lula is the "wise woman" in the book and is a mother figure for Lucia. While the book doesn't cover racism in the way Americans know it to be (black vs. white), it was quite interesting to read about the way immigrants from different countries viewed each other, and the lack of trust they had for one another based on what they heard in their communities. The stereotypes and ignorance truly impacted relationships and kept people from uniting, until they had a similar cause: worker's rights, later-women's rights.

While the book covers many issues, the story doesn't get bogged down with too much information, nor does it dilute the relationships developed between characters. Told through Lucia's point of view, it is quite interesting to see that as she grows, the decisions she makes reflect her maturity. In the beginning, she simply wants safety and to be with her mother. As she grows up, she begins to realize her own dreams and works towards accomplishing those. Then, as an adult, she realizes her dreams are bigger and aren't just about herself.

This is simply an exceptional story, and the discussions would be endless in a classroom setting, book club, between friends over coffee, or even amongst friends online!! It's a book that will leave you wanting to know more about Lucia and her relationships with her friends and family, the plight for women's/worker's rights, and the way mental illness evolves over time. I highly recommend this book and could definitely see a sequel becoming a success...and maybe, even a movie!!

There is so much to discover in this book, that I know you will be inspired and motivated through Lucia's journey!

Loved every minute of this book and could not put it down. I have already started to recommend the book to all my friends who love to read as much as I do.