The Immigrant: An Italian in America (The Italian Saga Book 7) by Gaia B Amman – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

The Immigrant. An Italian in America by Gaia B. Amman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Immigrant: An Italian in America is the seventh book in Gaia B. Amman’s Italian Saga. The saga follows Leda from her childhood through to, in this book, her move to America to do graduate research.
Leda is a charming character, and very entertaining to watch growing up. From her perspective, we get a (sometimes brutally) honest observation of the world around her. In this book, what particularly stands out is her bafflement at many aspects of American life and culture (a fair few I can relate to from my visits to the States!). I was amused by the account of the often excessively complicated experience of immigration.
With the move, we leave behind the many familiar characters who we’ve seen develop throughout the series. After Leda’s mum and Sergio wave her off at the airport, we are introduced to a host of new characters as we join Leda in making a new start in America. Dr Scrui stands out for me – sometimes seeming intelligent and controlling, at others observant and caring.
I’ve not read the series in order, and I think there’s enough background for a reader to join the series at this point if they’re mainly interested in a story focusing on experiences of immigration. But the earlier books are lovely and add depth to the characters. For me, this is a five star book and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series (as well as going back and catching up on the ones I’ve missed!).

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