The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins is another fabulous novel from a debut author. The novel centers around an Italian American family consisting of a grandmother, mother and daughter all named Graziella. They live within the greater New York City area
Graziella is the grandmother. She is strong, determined and tries to take care of everyone. She is an ex-nun and spends her time helping the local church and more importantly the food pantry. She has a freezer full of lasagnas to share. She takes care of many people in the neighborhood without expectations of repayment.
Grace is her daughter, her only child. Grace is married and living separately from her husband. She is a psychologist and teaches at a nearby college. She cannot cook, but finds great satisfaction with her small greenhouse with all the plants.
Ella is her daughter and Graziella’s granddaughter. She is brilliant, but anti everything. She struggles with the idea that she lives in a highly commercial world. She recently left college, without giving her family any explanation and is working at a rather trashy place.
The three women are thrown back together after a discovery by Ella which puts her in jeopardy. Together they are working their way forward finding each other and themselves.
A new box of tissues is a requirement for this book. The poignancy and love for the neighborhood and each other is remarkable. The strength and determination of daily life is one of Griziella’s key attributes. The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins is an absolutely fabulous read.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
