The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Wellington Rollins

THE THREE GRACES OF PEARL STREET by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins shares the intergenerational story of three women who carry the same name: Graziella. Graziella Valentini, ninety-six years old, is full of purpose as she directs life in her New York City neighborhood, at the church’s food pantry, and within her family. Her daughter Grace is a psychology professor and struggling with her own identity issues after a failed marriage. Granddaughter Ella is a brilliant scientist who lost her way at MIT and, with few options, returns to stay at her grandmother’s home on Pearl Street. At first, this novel was difficult to read due largely to the sadness, despair, and miscommunication experienced by the characters. But gradually, the three women begin to better understand themselves and each other, as told in chapters which alternate perspective. They strengthen a bond while learning new skills, whether it be cooking or using a computer. THE THREE GRACES OF PEARL STREET is a wonderful debut novel and received starred reviews from Booklist (“this comforting family tale is full of heart and humor”) and Library Journal (“With as many layers as Graziella's lasagna, this is a story that will satisfy readers for a long time.”). Readers intrigued by an Italian heritage may also want to look for Adriana Trigiani’s novels like The View from Lake Como; others seeking an intergenerational tale should look for Catherine Newman’s Sandwich or Randy Ribay’s Everything We Never Had.