The First Emma

By: Camille Di Maio

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

Camille Di Maio's novel The First Emma is the true story of Emma Koehler, whose tycoon husband, Otto, was killed in a crime-of-the-century murder by one of his two mistresses - both also named Emma - and her unlikely rise as CEO of a brewing empire during Prohibition. When a chance to tell her story to a young teetotaler arises, a tale unfolds of love, war, beer, and the power of women.

©2020 Camille Di Maio (P)2020 Tantor

Summary

This book is a very good outlook of the owners of the San Antonio Pearl Brewery.

A Remarkable Story with a Sweet Twist

I did not necessarily choose this book intentionally but it was well worth my time and captured my heart.

In a time when the roles of women and even their feelings were of little consequence to society an amazing woman rose above the status quo to endure a painful, unfaithful marriage and become a matriarch for her community.

This was a wonderful retelling of a pieced together life of a truly amazing woman, Emma Koehler. I loved the way that Camille Di Maio wove the little that is known about such a monumental person into a story that is compelling both in its tragedy and its triumph. The use of a young girl to come and be a means of this story unfolding was beautiful and brilliant. It allowed her to create the fairy tale that we all want to have while also sharing what is known, a beautiful symphony of literary music.

I have also read The Beautiful Strangers by Do Maio and although I liked that one I loved this one. I love how she takes subject matter and individuals that are not well known or well written about and bring those things to life once more. After reading The Beautiful Strangers I had to see The Coronado Hotel and now I am anxious to some day see the Pearl District in San Antonio. I believe the mark of a great historical fiction is to lead your reader to want to know more and I was definitely led on this path.

Excellent

Enjoyed this book from beginning to end and I am picky! Great historical fiction very interesting.

Wonderful historical fiction

Camille does a wonderful job of filling in the gaps of an amazing San Antonio woman and her legacy. Well done.

what A remarkable storyline

This is a heartwarming novel about success of an innovative pioneer. I highly recommend this novel and towards the end, Have your kleenex ready.

A beautiful story

I loved everything… the story, the narration, the relationship between Mabel and Emma. Can’t wait to dive into the next one I have from Di Maio.

I loved that Emma’s strength was so concentrated on

This was a great story that helped me understand some local history, while keeping me wanting all the happiness for the fictional characters as well.

B- maybe even C-+

I am reading / listening to this book because it is a selection in my girl friends’ club. Otherwise, I would never finish it.
The writing is under-graduate level at best. Trite phrases that would have been red-inked out of a freshman’s essays appear regularly. There is no sophistication of grammar. The past imperfect seems to be unknown.
The history of the Pearl Brewery and San Antonio is interesting, but Di Maio’s story-telling lacks an elevated skill. She inserts contemporary comments and points of view into a past of more than 100 years.
Her main focus seems to be soft sex which is sometimes embarrassing and often awkward.
Her lack of grammatical expertise makes one doubt her editor’s knowledge as well.
The reader mispronounces many usual words - Genoa comes to mind immediately - and it is almost agony to continue to listen to her errors.
On the whole, I would recommend finding another source of information about the Koehler couple, San Antonio in the early 20th century, and the Pearl Brewing Company. Don’t bother with “The First Emma.”