A review by muftarova
Christ in Concrete by Pietro Di Donato

4.0

When i first saw this book at the bookshelves in the store, i imediattelly picked it up. I read "Christ in Concrete" on the cover and saw the buildings and i knew i had to read it. The title was provoking and the author was Italian, i knew i found something worth reading. My expectations were that this book was about the times of The Depression, but my guess was kind of wrong. It is about the times leading to the depression. Di Donato's writing is heavy, passionate and dramatic, as one would expect from an Italian. It follows an (almost) autobiographal story, heartbreaking and heartwarming, heavy on the soul and spirit. Unbelievably tragic and a beautiful book about the life of poor immigrants that know only of love and faith, because that is all they have left, and their way of finding happiness or at least content. Every page is difficult on the heart and emotions, the tears come themselves without asking the reader for permission. Di Donato is a master of the Italian soul and their language, including English. His writing is almost poetic and underappreciated, definitely unforgettable. I recommend this book to everyone, maybe not the weak-hearted such as myself (but do read it!). I wish i could describe this book but i lack words for the beauty of it, the best way to know is to read it and find out for yourselves. I promise you will not be able to put it down, but you will not want to finish it either. The only fault of this book is that it has an end.