Amidst the chaos of fascist Italy, Emilio Bucci and Floria Savoia’s journey unfolds against a backdrop of love, tragedy, and resilience. From the serene village of Agrigento, Sicily, to the vibrant streets of Hamilton, Ontario, their lives take unexpected turns, testing their endurance at every step.
Fleeing the economic hardships of southern Italy, the Bucci family establishes a cozy pastry shop in Canada, offering a slice of tradition and comfort. However, their dreams are shattered as tensions rise between Canada and Italy, and the Bucci men face false accusations of fascist sympathies, leading to their wrongful internment shortly after Italy declares war on Britain and her allies.
Torn from their homeland and confined within the Petawawa Internment Camp, the Bucci family battles against injustice, grief, and the pain of separation. In this bleak landscape, Emilio discovers an unexpected silver lining—a forbidden romance with Thomas, a camp guard.
Emilio's heart is torn between his deepening affection for Thomas and the life that was cruelly taken from him. As he navigates this treacherous path, he struggles to find balance in a world that seems determined to defeat him.
Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers’ Favorite (5 Stars):
In Petawawa by G. A. Scibetta, the Bucci family lives in Agrigento before immigrating to Canada in search of better fortunes. In Agrigento, things are hard, but Mr. Salvatore tries his best to provide for his family. Things become worse when his primary employers leave for Canada. He gets another job, and through the connections of Massimo, he secures passage to Canada for his family. On the ship, they face discrimination simply for being Sicilians and are treated like second-class citizens. This repeats itself in Canada, as many people see them as foreigners despite their efforts to integrate. Back in Italy, things get worse as Mussolini continues to flex his muscles. This affects the Italian community living in Canada. Petawawa by G. A. Scibetta is a reflection of what is currently happening in the world. This thought-provoking work touches on intolerance not just in the LGBTQ community but also in the ever-rising cases of people demonizing immigrants who are just trying to survive. The book also got me thinking about the role we should play in fighting injustice. I loved the systematic flow of events, which ensured there was no room for confusion. The reader will also appreciate the vivid descriptions of events and places, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening. The characters were well-developed, and I also loved the themes of hope and daring to take a step forward even while facing challenges. This was a great read, and I look forward to reading something else by G.A. Scibetta.
