THE MIRACLE OF DOMMATINA

by Ira Avery ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 23, 1978

One of those mild, chaste little tortonis, heart-shaped and Woolworth sweet, set in a remote Italian village and fitted out with: the obligatory ornately expedient mayor; a good guy priest; slyly pragmatic townsfolk (with strained syntax); a crippled boy whose faith in miracles is tested; and an American coming-apart couple, Pete and Donna. The tiny village of Dommatina is about to celebrate its annual tribute to the legendary visit of St. Demetrio--who once caused a young boy to fly. There's feasting and fireworks ready and a squadron of youngsters flying on ropes. But a Bishop, on the prowl for archaic observances, orders the festival discontinued for lack of saint's-evidence. Townsfolk revolt. Mass excommunication. No miracle for wee cripple 'Gilio. But! Enter changes of heart--on the part of the clergy and then Pete and Donna, who have tuned in to larger verities than bad-mouthing Italy (Pete's specialty) and each other. All hands belly up to niceness, 'Gilio is headed for that sure-fire operation, and Dommatina's coffers fill with tourists' lira. Holy water, fingerbowl style--tepid but non-toxic.

Pub Date: May 23, 1978

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1978

Categories: FICTION