BELLA

Perillo’s debut novel follows the struggles of a group of Italian mothers, wives, and witches over multiple centuries in Italy and, later, the Bronx.

Around 1960, 3-year-old Bella suffers a serious injury that leaves her in a comatose state. It may have been an accident—or it may be the consequence of a longstanding curse, as Bella comes from a family of witches who hail from the Italian town of Sabbioneta; they include her great grandmother Rosa and her grandmother Maria. In some ways, the witches’ lives are ordinary, as when teenage Maria vies for the attention of a boy; however, things turn extraordinary when Maria drops a “potent spell” on her rival, Sabrina, with unexpected results. Years later, magic is a factor on the wedding day of Bella’s mother, Lea, after the pregnant bride’s fiancé vanishes, along with maid of honor Lavinia and Lea’s little sister. The novel delves into the lives of other women who have connections to Bella’s lineage, as well; for example, the Russian mother of Maria’s best friend, Teresa, miraculously survives the massacre of her family during the Russian Revolution, and centuries before that, Sabrina’s ancestors find themselves in danger around the time of the Inquisition. Perillo’s novel bounces from character to character, as when references to Maria’s dreams beget the story of the romantic adventure of Sabbioneta’s founder and his duchess wife. As such, the timeline isn’t always linear, but the author’s smooth prose makes it all easy to follow. Lyrical passages propel the narrative forward, and readers may debate whether to take certain passages literally: “He was a sorcerer with kisses so hot they scorched her lips.” The narrative is also enlivened by diverting nods to Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, or The Wizard of Oz, as well as eclectic quotes from such sources as William Shakespeare, J.D. Salinger, and Carly Simon. For good measure, Perillo weaves in contemporary references in stories set centuries ago, as when one character repeats “She’s a witch!” in “true Monty Python style.”

A quirky and enthralling supernatural tale of family that spans generations.