Sofia's Tune (34 page)

Author’s Note

I concluded the Ellis Island series by featuring Italian immigrants because by this time the Southern Italians were coming over in large numbers. For most Italians, family is central to their lives, so I wanted to explore how my characters might expand their definition of family while still keeping their immediate family ties.

As with my other novels, there are some historical characters and some fictional. Readers have told me they like to know the difference, so here’s a summary. Most are figments of my imagination, but O. Henry and Ignacy Jan Paderewski, of course, were real people who were in New York City during this time period. O. Henry did visit Healy’s Café, which is now known as Pete’s Tavern, and legend says he wrote
The
Gift of the Magi
in one of the booths. Paderewski was known for supporting struggling musicians. Their friendship, as far as I know, is fictional.

Also fictional are the priests and ministers in this story. The Italian churches do exist, but the aid society at St. Anthony’s and the abbey at The Most Precious Blood are fictional. First Church and Rayburn Street, which are continued from my earlier novels, do not exist in real life. Neither does Hawkins House or The Benevolents, but they are based on the many charitable organizations of the era in New York City.

Mental illness, alcoholism, and emotional trauma treatments were evolving during this time period. Unfortunately, many people were locked up and not given much help. Some received treatments that were hurtful and even destructive. New and more effective approaches were emerging as Father Lucci says in the story.

While some
padroni
were abusive and many Italian workers suffered under their control, the
padroni
in
Sofia’s Tune
are fictional. The Free Library and the Salvation Army in Sofia’s neighborhood did exist. I always try to stay true to the historical time period, so there are many other elements in the story that either could have happened, or did in fact, such as the colossal rainstorm that saw over 11 inches of rain in a 24-hour period.

When I heard about the Twinless Twins Support Group (
http://www.twinlesstwins.org
) and spoke to one of their members, I was inspired to share the special challenges and emotional trauma some experience when forced to carry on while missing a twin. As someone who is not a twin, I gained an understanding of how difficult that must be.

I have enjoyed writing about Ellis Island immigrants. If you have ancestors who came through Ellis Island, be sure to visit www.ellisisland.org.

Discussion Questions

• Family was most important to Sofia at the opening of the story. What do you think was the most important to her at the end?
  
• What do you think was the biggest betrayal, that Sofia’s parents hid the fact that she had been born a twin or their insistence that she move out of the home?
  
• Why do you think Antonio wanted to be a concert musician?
  
• Have you ever had to deal with a loved one’s addiction? Do you agree with the way Antonio handled his uncle?
  
• What do you think Sister Stefania meant by instructing Antonio and Sofia to “listen to the master’s voice?” Why do you think she did not tell them directly about the
  padrone
  ’s extortion scheme?
  
• Why do you think Luisa resorted to sending Antonio anonymous notes?
  
• Have you ever felt a loss as severe as Antonio and Sofia? How was your reaction different or the same?
  
• How do you think Sofia’s definition of “family” changed throughout the story?