The Seamstress of Sardinia

A Novel

De: Bianca Pitzorno

Narrado por: Carlotta Brentan

A bestselling Italian writer makes her American debut with this delightful dramedy of manners, family, romance, and fashion that is set on the island of Sardinia at the end of the nineteenth century—a dazzling and original literary blend of Jane Austen and Adriana Trigiani.

In 1900 Sardinia, a young woman’s remarkable talent with a needle earns her a position as a seamstress with a wealthy family. Inside this privileged world far different from her own humble beginnings, the skilled sewer quietly takes measurements, sketches designs, mends hems—and in the silence, hears whispered secrets and stories of all those around her.

Through the watchful young seamstress’s eyes, this small Italian city and its residents emerge in all their vitality, vanity, and fragility—flawed yet congenial people who are not quite what they pretend to be. There is the Marchesa Esther, who rides horses and studies mechanics and ancient Greek; Miss Lily Rose, a spirited American journalist who commissions a special corset—with pockets to hide more than just her flaws; the Provera sisters with their expensive Parisian fashions that belie their financial hardships; and Assuntina, the wild child. There are men, young, old, and in between; love affairs and broken hearts; and even a murder (or was it suicide?). And at the center, watching and waiting is the seamstress herself, an intelligent, ambitious girl with a tender heart and her own impossible dream.

An irresistible literary confection rich in atmosphere and period detail and packed with compelling characters. The Seamstress of Sardinia transports us to a long-ago world not so removed from our own—to a society rigidly divided by wealth and shaped by passion, hope, ambition, and love—the elemental forces that drive human lives.

©2022 Bianca Pitzorno (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

I very, very good audiobook!

A very compelling story of the story of a young girl growing into womanhood in the poor parts of Italy. The story captured not only my heart, but also my mind.

Okay

Okay read. Not riveting. Read because of book club. I don’t really recommend it. Meh imo.

Very Good Story

I really enjoyed this story very much. I haven’t read many novels written originally in another language and translated into English. I was a little worried when I purchased it, but it was beautifully written, translated and performed. My two grandmothers were wonderful seamstresses even cutting out their patterns from newspapers. I really appreciated the sewing descriptions. I have visited Italy, but not Sardinia. The gap between the social classes at the time period of the story was very interesting and I learned a lot. I’m encouraged to read other stories by international authors.

BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I just finished listening to this story and it was so lovely! I got a taste of what is was like to be a poor woman on her own in late 19th Century Italy. The writing was so vivid and real and the reader was excellent!! I'm an avid sci-fi reader but I need a palette cleanser from time to time. Something grounded in reality: a good drama. This was it! A humble woman's life and world view was vividly imagined in this book!

Unusual and surprising.

The surprising story of a gentle girl in Sardinia grips the reader in its simplicity. The characters come to life and one finds oneself rooting for each one’s happiness.

Great listen!

This was a great book to listen to. I randomly chose it and was very pleased.

A Carefully Stitched Story

So many life lessons imparted by this engrossing book. Beautifully read. Interesting characters whose actions and beliefs reflect the era and setting. Self respect, taking responsibility for one’s actions, combating prejudice and class differences,all are recurring themes. Sensitively translated from the Italian.

True to life.

Pulls you into the life of the lower working class and all of its pressures and threats.

Beautiful story

Challenges and solutions that were not only surprising, but woven well written and read. Excellent book!

Very good!

I enjoyed this book very much. You get very attached to the main characters. The reader is excellent.