5 out of 5 stars
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Victor and the rest of the DiNardo family leave their hometown for a better life with his father in Canada. The family and the other immigrants venture out to unknown lands after the effects of World War II. They all decide to take risks by starting life afresh despite their illiteracy and language differences present with the locals in the new environment. Victor's mother, Maria, had been raised to demand the best, and she was determined to succeed for the sake of her family. What will become of the family when they discover that a comfortable life in Canada will be difficult to achieve, especially since all the immigrants are in some form of twisted competition with each other to see who will succeed or fail? Find out more by reading Za Mari by Victor DiNardo.
This book had quite a lot of positive aspects. The photos helped me understand the author's point of view and gave context to the story. The book was written from an omniscient point of view, and the characters in this book were very realistic and well-written. The reader can see them transform through age, loss, and pain without losing touch with the core of their personalities.
Maria is my favorite for many reasons. She never once thought of giving up, no matter the circumstances. She motivated herself by always aspiring to be better than others and never complaining when things got tough, even when her husband could not work for a year after breaking his leg. Her selfless nature and drive to protect her family made her one of a kind. She is truly a perfect example for mothers everywhere.
The author did not rush the plot; he took his time to introduce the Italian immigrants to their new life slowly. It was difficult for them at first to adjust to the massive cultural differences. They were also introduced to new concepts, like toilets, electricity, and automobiles, which were nonexistent in their hometown. Instead, they focused first on providing for their family's essential needs, like food and shelter. One of the most important themes in this book is perhaps the effects of racism. The author brought to light the common instances where people suffered racism. The book was tough to put down. It inspires feelings that make you appreciate the difficulties endured by early immigrants. It was a great read, and I finished it in one sitting.
However, this book also had negative aspects. It is stated in many instances at the beginning of the book that Vittorio is four years old. But it is stated that he is three years old on page 57. A part of this book did not seem realistic to me. I find it hard to believe that a trio of four-year-old children would be able to push down a boulder that could ''crush a train", yet Vittorio and his friends did so without much effort on page 39.
Notwithstanding the reservations above, I have decided to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It was professionally edited. The book is the author's way of honoring his mother for her love and many sacrifices, and I enjoyed reading it. I recommend this book to lovers of historical books and biographies. It would also be a good fit for teenagers searching for direction and purpose in life.
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Za Mari
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