TONY’S WIFE

Adriana Trigiani is the bestselling author of 17 books, which have been published in 36 countries around the world. She is a playwright, television writer/producer and filmmaker. She wrote and directed the film version of her novel Big Stone Gap, which was shot entirely on location in her Virginia hometown. She is co-founder of the Origin Project, an in-school writing program that serves more than a thousand students in Appalachia. She lives in Greenwich Village with her family.

“Trigiani’s latest is bittersweet, transcendent storytelling that celebrates the infinite varieties of love.” — People, Book of the Week

“…Tony’s Wife is an immersive experience, with well- rounded, warm characters, pre-WWII fashion, Jersey accents, and homemade pasta. Moving and delightful.” — Booklist

“Trigiani’s ability to draw characters with such authenticity is undoubtedly enriched by her own background in a large traditional Italian-American family. It’s clear she knows and loves this world. Her affection for even the most flawed characters shines through.” — USA Today

“Trigiani…fills this novel with the musical delights of the big band era and a love that lasts a lifetime … Packed with melodies, memories, humor, and love and loss, this effortlessly plotted novel is an emotional page-turner.” — Publishers Weekly

“A heartfelt tale of love too stubborn to surrender to human frailties.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Tony’s Wife is a bit of a misnomer, as the strength of the book is Chi Chi’s story, but Trigiani is the master of writing complex Italian families, full of characters who love and live with passionate (and sometimes fractured) hearts … Trigiani delivers another solid historical saga, and her readers will be pleased.” — Library Journal

“[Trigiani] expertly draws from her multilayered experience with ease, making the story both charming and authentic…. If you like Chi Chi, you will adore this unforgettable book.” — Book Reporter

1. In what ways are the historic time and place of the novel important to the story?

2. How are Saverio and his father different? Why is Leone so disappointed in his son? How does this affect Saverio later in life?

3. Leone argues that, “Life is not what you want to do. It’s what you have to do.” To what extent is this true or not? How does each character balance necessity and desire?

4. How might Saverio’s heartbreaking experience with choir mate Cheryl Dombroski affect him in his future romantic relationships? What does it take to recover from such disappointment and have healthier relationships?

5. For Saverio—and millions of people—music is “a respite.” Why is this? How does listening to music work to make people feel better? What does playing or performing music possibly add to the experience?

6. What is special about Chi Chi Donatelli? In what ways is she different from her sisters, Barbara and Lucille? Why does Chi Chi feel particularly close to their father?

7. Mariano Donatelli tells his daughters that, “It’s good to have big dreams.” How does this affect each of them? How does a philosophy so different from Leone Armandonada’s change the way Mariano lives? To what extent is Barbara’s claim that dreams should be backed up “with a weekly paycheck” important or discouraging?

8. Discussing the idea of marriage with Saverio, Chi Chi claims that, “there’s not much in it for the girl.” What does she mean? Why, despite this modern idea, does she eventually agree to marry Saverio? What’s the best way to make a marriage equitable?

9. Why can’t Saverio stay faithful, even to Chi Chi, the true love of his life? To what extent is it culturally allowed for men? What is love? Why do people mistreat people they supposedly love?

10. What’s the significance of Saverio agreeing to change his name to Tony Arma? What’s important about a name? In what ways is Chi Chi naming their son after Tony’s father against his wishes justified or not?

11. What is important about food and home-cooked meals throughout the novel?

12. What is Chi Chi’s relationship to music, as a writer as well as a performer? How does she protect this relationship or not throughout her career? What does it mean that listening to Sy Oliver’s band play Uptown Blues in a small club was for Chi Chi “like church”?

13. What makes Chi Chi a good songwriter? What does she understand about people that allows her to write successful popular songs?

14. Mariano instructs Chi Chi to have the courage to stay committed to “the unspoken pact” to do “the thing you were born to do.” How does a person decide or discover this? Why did Chi Chi have “to leave home to become the person she was meant to be”? What kinds of things prevent people from pursuing their purpose?

15. How does music serve people experiencing great hardship like the Great Depression or WWII? What is the message about music that will come from “some kid from a slum who has seen it all”?

16. What social and institutional forces make it difficult for Chi Chi to be financially independent and responsible? How does she develop and protect her earnings throughout her career? Why is Tony so financially inept?

17. What is important to Chi Chi and Tony about family? How did each experience support or not from theirs? How does this affect how each of them behave as they create their own family? What should a person do if his or her family is unsupportive?

18. What important parts of her life or purpose does Chi Chi sacrifice once she’s married to Saverio? How does this happen? What might it take for a woman to maintain her professional or artistic pursuits while having children?

19. Why doesn’t Chi Chi ever remarry? Is this a healthy avoidance of an institution that “didn’t seem like a good deal,” or a sacrifice of her own additional happiness?

20. Mariano wisely instructed Chi Chi to identify and pursue what was sacred to her. What does this mean? What is sacred to you?