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With roots stretching back to survivors of Pompeii, D'Ecclesis' novella is an intergenerational work that focuses on both the contessa as she escapes to America after her husband's assassination and one of her heirs, Lydia, who is beautiful and successful but haunted by the bullying and rape she suffered in high school. Lydia finally decides to attend a class reunion with her friends and confront her main bully and rapist, Rico. At the reunion, Lydia walks up to Rico and punches him solidly in the face. She is restrained and taken to the police station, where she passes away. Her children and grandchildren mourn her loss, finding strength in her character. They carry her memory, as well as the memories of their ancestors, as they lean on their generational knowledge and embrace a promising future.
There are many facets to the writing in D'Ecclesis' novella. There are times when the intent is clearly to teach the reader information about a particular subject, such as horseshoe crabs. Then there are sections which are more character-focused; Lydia stands out as the character about whom the reader learns the most. Additionally, there are sections where the author seems to directly address the reader, using "we" as the subject and discussing topics in a manner much like a sociologist might in a small class setting. These varied presentations and multiple focuses will appeal to some, especially those who gravitate toward authors who take literary risks with their storytelling. Readers who love intergenerational novels but often find themselves apprehensive about their length may decide that D'Ecclesis' novella offers them a more manageable portion of a genre they enjoy.
A 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award Category Finalist