Seeds of the Pomegranate

Seeds of the Pomegranate is a well-written debut novel with an inside look at organized crime, counterfeiting, and the desperation of immigrants in early 1900s New York City. The plot opens in the old aristocratic society of Sicily, the entitled once-wealthy (who no longer had money), with their fine, though run-down, houses, land, and titles. The protagonist is Mimi Inglese, who is a natural born artist. Her wealthy godfather pays her tuition to attend a prominent Italian art school as an investment. Of course, she’s accompanied by her grandmother, Nonna, with whom she has an intensely close relationship. Mimi is offered a coveted acceptance to the Palermo Art Academy; but as she’s the only female in her class, her fellow male students are contemptuous to her.

Mimi has two younger sisters, Rosalia and Caterina, whom she adores. However, soon after returning home for the summer, Mimi and her sister Rosalia both come down with tuberculosis. Rosalia succumbs to the disease and Mimi’s dreams are shattered.

Soon after, she and her family leave for NYC in hopes of a new start. Mimi’s godfather remains in Sicily but carefully prepares the way for them. (He’s hiding out from American police for a murder he committed while there for a short time establishing his crime circle.) Mimi and her family depart on a horrendous voyage across the Mediterranean and Atlantic. When they land in America, a very disturbing look at NYC 1900s immigrant life begins.

Her youngest sister wants to join a religious order and dedicate her life to Jesus, but through the influence of the godfather, her father insists she marry a man who is prosperous, connected, and will provide security to the family. It is a total disaster and before long her dreamer father, who falls for one get-rich-quick scheme after another, is sent to prison for his part in passing phony money. Mimi is forced into counterfeiting $5.00 bills to pay the rent and keep food on her family’s table.

Instead of opportunity, Mimi finds herself trying to stay a step ahead of the evil forces of organized crime. Her dreams of being a painter seem to have been thrown asunder. But the author craftily helps the protagonist find a way out of the terrible trap her life has become. It’s a tribute to the human spirit.

I recommend this excellent book because it helps put life as we know it in a new perspective.