The View From Lake Como
By Adriana Trigiani
- Release Date: 2025-07-08
- Genre: Fiction & Literature
Description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER
Selected for CBS News New York's Book Club with Mary Calvi
As seen on Good Morning America, The View, Good Day New York and featured on Katie Couric Media and Read with Jenna Open Book podcast
PEOPLE: BEST NEW BOOKS
An Elle Best Book of Summer 2025
USA Today Most Anticipated Read of Summer 2025
Publishers Weekly Most Anticipated Book of Summer 2025
From the beloved New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani, a “dazzling” storyteller (Washington Post), and a “comedy writer with a heart of gold” (NYT), comes a novel about one woman’s quest to build her own life before it’s too late.
Jess Capodimonte Baratta is not living the life of her dreams. Not even close.
In blue-collar Lake Como, New Jersey, family comes first. Recently divorced from Bobby Bilancia, “the perfect husband," Jess moves into her parents’ basement to hide and heal. Jess is the overlooked daughter, who dutifully takes care of her parents, cooks Sunday dinner, and puts herself last. Despite her role as the family handmaiden, Jess is also a talented draftswoman in the marble business run by her dapper uncle Louie, who believes she can do anything (once she invests in a better wardrobe).
When the Capodimonte and Baratta families endure an unexpected loss, the shock unearths long-buried secrets that will force Jess to question her loyalty to those she trusted. Fueled by her lost dreams, Jess takes fate into her own hands and escapes to her ancestral home, Carrara, Italy.
From the shadows of the majestic marble-capped mountains of Tuscany, to the glittering streets of Milan, and on the shores of enchanting Lake Como (the other one), Jess begins to carve a place in this new/old world. When she meets Angelo Strazza, a passionate artist who works in gold, she discovers her own skills are priceless. But as Jess uncovers the truth about her family history, it will change the course of her life and those she loves the most forever. In love and work, in art and soul, Jess will need every tool she has mastered to reinvent her life.
Fed by the author’s cherished Italian roots comes a bighearted, hilarious novel of the moment: the story of one woman’s determination to live a creative life that matters, with enough room left over for love. With a one-way ticket to Italy, Jess is determined to write a new story on her own terms--this time, in stone.
Reviews
Poorly Written
1By SalamanderdoodleTerrible. Ridiculous writing. What a waste of my money.Live Laugh Love!
5By '06C6A story for all generations - peppered with Adrianna Trigiani’s descriptive prose, moments of laughter, and the wisdom of family, tradition and self growth.JerZ Grl
5By guitarking32This book did not disappoint! It brought back many memories of my childhood as an Italian American girl growing up in New Jersey. So relatable! One of Trigiani’s best in my opinion.Not her best work
2By JamminSuz03Usually love her books but this one was hard to get through. First part was great. The rest was slow, a tad boring and often confusing. For ex, one minute Angelo first met her and the next he’s all of a sudden in love with her.This book has it all!
5By Suecq13Really terrific book! Truly authentic dialogue, gorgeous descriptions of Italy (and New Jersey!) and a glorious story of love and self realization. Brava!Ahh Italy!!
5By Jannie 7The struggles of family and life in general are explored in the pages of this delicious novel. The fact that we view it through an imperfect Italian family makes it so much richer and poignant. I highly recommend you pick it up and take the journey. You will come away from this novel feeling a little more joyously Italian.As an Italian
5By DoritavI loved this novel! Having been born in Italy, I could identify with the various aspects of Italian culture here and in Italy. I enjoyed seeing how Jess evolved in character. I didn’t expect the ending, but it was so familiar. I recently visited my hometown in Calabria after 56 years. I was able to appreciate the cultural aspects, the art, the foods, and my family in a new way. The house that I lived in is still there and I would love to purchase it, but my cousins don’t know who the owners are now and it’s locked up. Finally I just want to say that this a wonderful, deep and joyous novel. I recommend it highly. I will probably read it again soon.
