Well, she did it again. If you’re a fan of author Adriana Trigiani, her new novel, The Good Left Undone, is a gem! Ironically, gem cutting and the family jewelry store are the cornerstones of this book. I suppose that’s why it shines perfectly from every angle. This includes the gorgeous book jacket combined with the perfect blue and brown tone palate. 

Simply put, Trigiani is an incredible storyteller. This book introduces the endearing but strong-willed Cabrelli Family. The matriarch, Matelda, is ready to share her mother’s tale of love with her family as she nears the end of her life. You will visualize the setting from her description, the coastal town of Viareggio, Italy, Scotland, and Liverpool as WWII rears its ugly head. 

I enjoyed the multi-generational angle of the book. As you dive deeper into the story you will weave and connect the dots to relationships with the other members of the Cabrellis through the years. It’s as if you are documenting their family tree with the added bonus of revealing their personalities and presence in the book.

The dual timeline transports you between 1920 and the present day which kept me completely immersed in the story. It feels like you are time traveling! The book takes you from hunting precious stones in ancient India to a sweet budding romance between a courageous military sea captain and a dedicated nurse. You travel the world without leaving your comfy chair.

I had the pleasure of seeing Adriana this spring in Youngstown, Ohio on her book tour. I think this was the fifth event I’ve attended? When I got a quick chance to talk to her the first thing she said to me was, “ I love your blog!” Are you kidding me? My heart was bursting! She is as personable and entertaining as she is funny.

 Adriana Trigiani is one of my favorite authors and she proves it to me each time she publishes a new book. She outdid herself in The Good Left Undone. Buy it. Read it. You’ll wish there were more than 430 pages. Just like gems are multi-faceted, so is this book. Enjoy!