| | |  | Wallets | Home » » » » Elizabeth Street | | | | | | | Description: | | Based on true events, ELIZABETH STREET is a multigenerational saga that opens in an Italian village in the 1900's, and crosses the ocean to New York's Lower East Side. At the heart of the novel is Giovanna, whose family is targeted by the notorious Black Hand -the precursor to the Mafia. Elizabeth Street brings to light a period in history when Italian immigrant neighborhoods lived in fear of Black Hand extortion and violence-a reality that defies the romanticized depiction of the Mafia. Here, the author reveals the merciless terror of the Black Hand-and the impact their crimes had on her family. Giovanna is based on Fabiano's great-grandmother, and the book's heroes and villains - such as Lieutenant Petrosino, the crusading cop and "Lupo the Wolf," a cold-blooded criminal - are drawn from real life in this thrilling tale. While set in a dynamic historical context, Elizabeth Street is, above all, the dramatic story of the heroine, Giovanna, and how she triumphed over tragedy. About the Author Laurie Fabiano loves her family and all things Italian. She has dedicated her career to marketing and event production for non-profit organizations empowering others to share their life stories and raising hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of those in need. This book, her first, is her story. Laurie lives in Hoboken, New Jersey with her husband Joe and their daughter Siena. | | | Product Details: | | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 206 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 206 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
170 of 186 found the following review helpful:
 Grabs you quickly and doesn't let goJun 26, 2009
By Joseph Daniels
Elizabeth Street is the rare book that combines a rich historical setting and focus with a brilliantly faced-paced narrative. It is a page turner that manages to bring the reader back and forth from the streets of new york to villages and hamlets in Italy. I was sceptical since this is not my normal genre but its a great read and I ended up very much appreciating an unknown and richly fascinating part of the American Experience.
93 of 102 found the following review helpful:
TRULY AMAZING!!!Nov 23, 2009
By A. M. Gencarelli
I cannot say enough about this book! From the minute I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! I immediately related to the characters and felt as if I knew them. I couldn't wait to read it to see what would happen next; but at the same time, had to slow myself down because I didn't want the characters to NOT be a part of my life anymore.
Laura Fabiano does a truly amazing job of allowing her readers into her family lives to walk with them through their incredible journey. I feel blessed that I was able to meet Laura at a book signing and read her book. I have highly recommended this book to friends and family and everyone who reads it LOVES IT!! This is one book EVERYONE MUST READ!!! Thank you Laura!
28 of 28 found the following review helpful:
The best book I've read in a long time!Dec 28, 2009
By Catherine Lusk
Now that I have finished reading Elizabeth Street, I miss the characters and wish to be in their lives again. That is because the author depicted the characters in such a vivid and clear way, that I became emotionally involved with them. I don't know if the novel is historical fiction, a detective story, or a story about the human condition - all of the above, actually. While immersed in this novel, I felt the wonderful warmth of an Italian family; the strength and courage of a mother and other characters; and the suspense of a kidnapping. I could see, in my mind, New York City in the early 1900's. The author obviously did extensive and impeccable research. Her greatest strength, though, is her ability to tell a beautifully written and fascinating story. I do wish there were more novels like this one!
63 of 69 found the following review helpful:
Great summer reading!Jun 23, 2009
By S. Winter
I love historical novels - especially ones that are based on real events.
This book takes me into the heart of Little Italy, the Mafia and the Black Hand - which I had heard about but knew little. It is great - I highly recommend it!
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Soulful, Suspenseful, Sicilian, SuperbNov 03, 2009
By L. Folger
This is a wonderful first novel by Laurie Fabiano. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a family story built on recollections, secrets and untold stories, steeped in the history of both southern Italy and NYC at the turn of the century. It is a heartfelt, suspenseful story of which reveals so much about the life and times of the Italian immigrants who came to this country. You fall in love, you are terrorized, you are angered...just as the main character, Laurie's great grandmother, Giovanna was - and you are amazed by her strength and determination.
I used to live in NYC - a stones throw from Mulberry St. "Elizabeth Street" is like a time machine, bringing to life Little Italy in a time I never knew but now can well imagine.
I wish I had been able to read this when I lived there ! Bravo.
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