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The Queen of the Big Time: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 4,673 listener ratings
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Known and loved around the world for her sweeping Big Stone Gap trilogy and the instant New York Times bestseller Lucia, Lucia, Adriana Trigiani returns to the charm and drama of small-town life with Queens of the Big Time. This heartfelt story of the limits and power of love chronicles the remarkable lives of the Castellucas, an Italian-American family, over the course of three generations. In the late 1800s, the residents of a small village in the Bari region of Italy, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, made a mass migration to the promised land of America. They settled in Roseto, Pennsylvania, and re-created their former lives in their new home–down to the very last detail of who lived next door to whom. The village’s annual celebration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel–or “the Big Time,” as the occasion is called by the young women who compete to be the pageant’s Queen–is the centerpiece of Roseto’s colorful old-world tradition. The industrious Castellucas farm the land outside Roseto. Nella, the middle daughter of five, aspires to a genteel life “in town,” far from the rigors of farm life, which have taken a toll on her mother and forced her father to take extra work in the slate quarries to make ends meet. But Nella’s dreams of making her own fortune shift when she meets Renato Lanzara, the son of a prominent Roseto family. Renato is a worldly, handsome, devil-may-care poet who has a way with words that makes him irresistible. Their friendship ignites into a fiery romance that Nella is certain will lead to marriage. But Nella is not alone in her pursuit: every girl in town seems to want Renato. When he disappears without explanation, Nella is left with a shattered heart. Four years later, Renato’s sudden return to Roseto the night before Nella’s wedding to the steadfast Franco Zollerano leaves her and the Castelluca family shaken. For although Renato has chosen a path very different from Nella’s, they are fated to live and work in Roseto, where the past hangs over them like a brewing storm. An epic of small-town life, etched in glorious detail in the trademark Trigiani style, The Queen of the Big Time is the story of a determined, passionate woman who can never forget her first love.
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"I went into this thinking I was going to hate it. In the end, I was surprised by how touched I was, especially with the ending. What I assumed would be a typical romance novel turned out to be much more, and for that I think it will hold a very special place in my heart."
— Lily (5 out of 5 stars)
The Queen of the Big Time Listener Reviews
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" Nice, pleasant, and lacking in something. "
— Lori, 2/18/2014 -
" I liked this book quite a bit, even though I didn't find the heroine as likable as those in Trigiani's other books. "
— Jessica, 2/16/2014 -
" I have read all of Trigiani's books. This is one of my favorites. "
— Nicole, 2/14/2014 -
" This authors writing is culturally rich and real. She takes you through many years and you feel like the characters are your family when you're done. "
— Nikki, 2/11/2014 -
" How did this book ever get published??? I should be a book critic! Did not like the protagonist - way too negative. The characters were not developed enough and the story was stupid! Doesn't even deserve 1 star. "
— Jenalyn, 2/4/2014 -
" To enjoy your life and savor friendships and your family. Life goes all too quickly. "
— Virginia, 2/2/2014 -
" I was very disappointed with TQOTBT. I loved the Big Stone Gap series so much and I also loved Very Valentine. This one felt so rushed to me. It covered an entire lifetime in under 300 pages and I felt like there were such huge gaps. I don't feel like I ever go to know the characters at all. I was kind of sad that I didn't love this as much as I have loved Adriana Trigiani's other books. "
— Kim, 2/2/2014 -
" Story of first love. Enjoyed story of struggle amongst the sisters and how they overcame their situation. "
— Amy, 2/1/2014 -
" I didn't like it quite as much as Big Stone Gap, but it was a good read. "
— Lauren, 1/13/2014 -
" Lives of the family of Nella Castelluca, who goes from young forelady at a blouse factory to owner of her own company. "
— Kitty, 1/12/2014 -
" This story resonated a lot with me. I really enjoyed the story and characters Trigiani creates. Definitely recommend. "
— Ashley, 1/8/2014 -
" Loved this author!! Once you start, you just can't stop! "
— Michele, 1/5/2014 -
" I love Adriana Trigiani's books. The characters are so lovable and her books are full of emotion! I didn't want this one to end. Very clean too! "
— Debbie, 12/20/2013 -
" OH MY!!! I literally plowed through this book. It was so riveting and moving. The writing was so real. I actually felt like I was part of that time. And, by the end of the book I was crying so much that I found it hard to read the epilogue! AWESOME! "
— Ramona, 12/14/2013 -
" Toward the end when I wanted more details it seemed like the author hurried to end it. "
— Valerie, 12/12/2013 -
" I did not enjoy this book as the two previous books i read by Trigiani. the characters did not draw me into the story. "
— Heidi, 12/9/2013 -
" I love this author, but this book wasn't her best! "
— Gastoryteller, 8/10/2013 -
" I'm really enjoying this author. "
— Audrey, 6/27/2013 -
" A great read, I give it a 4.5. This book really made me think about my life and my family. "
— Merry, 6/5/2013 -
" I really like this author and she didn't disappoint me at all with this sweet story. I love her characters, her feel of the community, and the stories she tells. This was a fun one. "
— Janet, 2/1/2013 -
" A novel that shows that true living means taking risks, to be willing to take both the pain and joy. That living happens in the quiet day to day despite challenges and disappointments. "
— Florence, 12/4/2012 -
" Found this interesting since I had friends from Roseto when at East Stroudsburg State in late '60s. And being married to a first generation Italian I could relate there, too. "
— Agnes, 12/1/2012 -
" I loved this book, well written, quick pace. Being from an Italian background, I appreciated so many aspects of life during my fathers lifetime. Excellent read! "
— Francesca, 10/3/2012 -
" The whole time I was reading this book, I felt like it was a biography. The characters seemed very true to life. Good hard working Italian people. The end of the book had me crying. Thanks Adriana .... I love your books. "
— Marie, 5/11/2012 -
" It's like an Italian version of Little Women, but less complex. "
— KJ, 3/13/2012 -
" A moving story that would be great for a deep book club discussion. "
— Rach, 2/16/2012 -
" Another great story by Adriana Trigiani. I have read several of her books and they seem to have similar themes. The characters always seem to find all of their answers in Italy. It is a romantic thought, but I still have no intention of visiting Italy. "
— Jill, 10/25/2011 -
" Although I love the historical perspective I wanted more from this book. It needed more drama for my liking. "
— Mary, 6/3/2011 -
" Wow! What a great book! It had me laughing and crying throughout the entire story. "
— Maryann, 6/2/2011 -
" Epic story encompassing three generations of italian life in Pennsylvania. I loved the story and the characters, especially Nella, the protagonist. "
— Emily, 4/30/2011 -
" I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Anyone recommend any of Adriana's other books? Jenni? "
— Lisa, 4/19/2011 -
" I liked the first 2/3 of the book a lot, but the end felt like I was reading a Reader's Digest condensed version. I wish she'd taken the same care in the last part as she did the first. "
— Teresa, 4/19/2011 -
" Yet another book by Trigiani that I could barely put down. A charming, relatable story of a farm girl determined to make something of herself and follow her dreams. "
— Caroline, 4/12/2011 -
" What a wonderful story about immigrants from Italy and how hard they worked and loved needed tissues by the end I did not want it to end. "
— Gail, 4/10/2011 -
" This big is more like Lucia, Lucia than like the Big Stone Gap series. Fun to read. "
— Joyce, 2/28/2011 -
" Maybe my favorite Trigiani book. It spreads over the main characters whole life so there are many years that are just skipped. I wouldn't have minded here doing a 3 or 4 book series instead like she did with Big Stone Gap. "
— Melissa, 2/13/2011 -
" just ok, not as good as the valentine series, same genre "
— Alberta, 2/2/2011
About Adriana Trigiani
Adriana Trigiani is an award-winning playwright, television writer, and documentary filmmaker. The author of the bestselling Big Stone Gap series, she also wrote the bestselling memoir Don’t Sing at the Table and the young-adult novels Viola in Reel Life and Viola in the Spotlight. Her books have been published in thirty-six countries around the world. She wrote and directed the film version of her novel Big Stone Gap.
About Cassandra Campbell
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.