Book Review Older-40th

Review—L’America

Martha McPhee wrote the book L’America. Harcourt publishers published it in April 2006; it has 294 pages.

          L’America takes place from America to across the Atlantic. The story revolves around a love story that spans more than 20 years. Beth who has been raised in a commune atmosphere is encouraged by her grandmother to take a European vacation after her graduation from high school. There, along with her best friends, she travels through southern Europe. Each of them has their own youthful flirtations, but Beth falls for Cesare while in Greece. He is the cherished son of an Italian family with a five-hundred year plus history. He has been raised with luxuries, heritage, and expectations for his future.

          When Beth comes into his life with her hopes and dreams for the future, he dares to hope. He has harbored a love for all things American for years and with Beth; he is able to express this freely. Beth spends many years traveling to Italy and Cesare spends a year in America. Over this time, Beth learns to love all things Italian and to love to cook in traditional ways. Her goal is to be a chef and after studying and struggling, she becomes an author and the owner of several restaurants. She is ambitious, dreams the American dream, where Cesare is unable to follow his dream of writing, and follows his family’s wishes for his future.

          L’America spans more than just time and locales, it spans emotions, and the dreams of youth that eventually clash with the realities of growing up. Martha McPhee’s book of a tortured first love combines the history of the old world and the ambition of the new. The story is romantic and at times painful; yet, it moves slowly and seldom picks up speed. Some of the most interesting people are from the commune that Beth was raised at. These relationships are explored sporadically and often through Cesare’s limited vision. Many will find this interesting reading, but I plan to explore other avenues.