The Courtyard of Dreams

By Anna Monardo

Book Overview

"A first novel of great charm that attempts to penetrate the unique genius of the Italian family, both in Italy and in its American version. Here, a first-generation American teenager summers with her relatives in Calabria, and finds within the sanctuary of family not only an acceptance of her passionate 17-year-old self, but a view into the harsh past of her father, whom she adores and from whom she yearns to be free." -Kirkus Reviews

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1599542307
• ISBN13: 9781599542300
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Bordighera Press
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Italian American Girls

I bought this book in hardcover, searching it across bookstores, some years ago. There is not a lot of fiction about growing up Italian American and female, and Monardo captures it exquisitely. Bravissima.

Courtyard of Dreams

Breathtaking is one of many words to describe Monardo's novel, "Courtyard of Dreams." Monardo places us directly in Italy, where only the reader can remember their first young love. Having been to Italy before I can tell you that her descriptions of Italy and the surrounding villages are what you might expect to find in a small Italian village. The idea that a young American woman is sent to Italy for summer vacation to get to know her Italian family, and in the process falls in love with a young Italian man is riviting. Their story of love, finding a path to follow, and whether the young woman will return to America at the end of the summer keeps you reading. The setting, and character development is wonderful. The whole idea of foreign romance and the lazy feel to the book as if you were their with them is amazing.