When needing to select three sites where she could promote her book “Children of Italy,” Christine Simolke chose two in her home state of North Carolina and Philadelphia, deciding on a trip north because of this metropolis’ admirable annals of Italian heritage. On Saturday, the special guest read from her debut novel at the Charles Santore Branch.
“The history here is amazing,” Simolke said of the Bella Vista-based appearance in support of her June-issued work. “There’s so much pride among the Italians here, as I learned from my research, that Philadelphia made perfect sense to visit.”
In making her inaugural stop in South Philly, the scribe came eager to talk of the four-years-in-the-making tale of her ancestors’ 1920s-based assimilation into American culture. With the Book-of-the-Month Club lauding her brainchild as “a great read from a new voice in historical fiction,” Simolke saw Saturday as more than an opportunity to offer opening chapter snippets.
“There are immense stories of persistence among those who have sought better lives in our country, including the efforts of people in today’s society,” the former teacher, whose employment united her, in particular, with Mexicans aspiring to autonomy in America, said. “With regards to my family, I believed I had a compelling narrative to relay, so I’m excited that it has met with a few curious eyes.”
A dozen sets of such peepers looked at Simolke as she stood in front of a picture of her inspirational descendants during the infancy of their lives across the Atlantic Ocean. The text begins with her great-grandfather, Luigi Falconi, who has logged 12 years in America, waiting for the arrival of his kin on the SS Roma. Subsequent scenes detail their adaptation to life as a reunited clan and the search for strength as they handle changes, especially among the three Falconi daughters. Having called on a graduate school research paper that drew inspiration from talks with her great-grandmother, Giovanna, and great aunt, Evelina, the author reaffirmed before her audience the power of regarding relatives as lifelong sources of solace.
“Even when situations go astray, they’re still our most reliable confidants,” she said to nods from the visitors, including Joseph Trelli.
“I enjoyed the presentation because of how much pride Christine has in where she came from,” the fellow Italian and Passyunk Square resident, who questioned Simolke on what research yielded on her brood’s political comprehension, especially because they left Italy as Benito Mussolini was ushering in Fascism as the way of life; her immersion into their tales as she was coming of age; and her continuing desire to give life to what her lineage has meant as she has added children to the bloodline, said. “Here’s hoping she can release more books that are as heartfelt.”
Simolke holds a similar wish and mentioned a manuscript about bullying faced by Italians at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan. Before she devotes more attention to that plot, she hopes to make the acquaintance of many more residents in the City of Brotherly Love through a possible return trip, as last week’s stay did not afford anywhere near enough time to take in the scenery.
“I’m still so fortunate to be able to promote ‘Children of Italy,’” she said of the story of love, secrets, and betrayal. “I love looking back and forward at the same time, and writing this book really helped to give me perspective on the conviction that people show in making a way for themselves and their loved ones.” SPR
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Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com.
Photo by Tina Garceau
