THE WEAK AND THE STRONG

by Julie Savarese ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 7, 1952

The story of an italian-American family, the Dantes, who cling to the decencies- and their dreams. In spite of the degrading poverty in which they live, which is written from the heart and with knowing sympathy. Fortuna and her man Joseph are the weak and the strong. Ample Fortuna, carrying her unborn baby, would like Joseph to forget his pride and concentrate on providing for his family which includes the sensitive Gabriel, ten, and the steadfast dreamer, seven year old Gino. But Joseph has other values. He will give Gabriel a dime to buy a catechism book and walk miles to seek work because he has no carfare. He finds work in the Church and is let go when his strength proves inadequate, and yet he fights silently and grimly to avoid relief. And Fortuna is stoic when she refuses comment on Gabriel's excellent report card, knowing that she cannot afford to continue her schooling. And finally, with Joseph's illness and death, one knows that somehow Fortuna will be able to provide for the family her spirit has sustained... A sincere book, written with a native naivete, but there may not be many who will have the fortitude to follow the Dantes through their Inferno.

Pub Date: April 7, 1952

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1952

Categories: FICTION