Member Review

I read The Stowaway in First Class in one sitting and fully appreciate the historical, fast moving, true story of Anthony DeSantis' father's journey from Southern Italy to Boston in the United States. We learn about his immigration, recondite as it was, and are riveted by the involvement of the Italian criminal element in the story.

Anthony DeSantis has committed himself to interviewing his father about his adventures, and he has exceptionally strong writing skills that make the plot, danger, and romance important and fascinating. DeSantis deserves praise and kudos for his research and documentation. Of course he is emotionally connected to the story, but he also carefully describes the ship his father Guy travels on, the background history of Southern Italian immigrants who were distinctly believed to be less educated, poorer, not particularly worthy of being allowed into the United States, and where they eventually end up and what they do as US immigrants.

As a person who married years ago into a Southern Italian immigrant family from Potenza district, I am fully aware of the distinctions drawn between the people of Northern and Southern Italy. Having been fortunate enough to visit the South, I admire DeSantis' examination of the two areas and how different they are.

This book examines the immigrant story, the perils of a desire to leave Southern Italy to improve oneself, and what the challenges are when one leaves what one knows best and loves in spite of everything. I recommend this book as a well-written and well-considered 20th Century immigrant story. In the final trip returning to Italy with his aging father, Guy, Anthony DeSantis' father, we find out what happened to the woman Guy left behind which brings the story full circle. There is a lot to learn here.

Thanks to Girl Friday and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this excellent book.