Lucia Santa came to New York from the mountain farms of Italy because she knew there had to be a better life. But what she finds in the streets of Hell's Kitchen is a life to break a strong woman's heart. Two tragic marriages, six children to support by herself, a fiery-hearted daughter who insists on living and loving as an American, an oldest son who gets involved with the Mafia. And through it all, Lucia Santa - wife, widow, mother, grandmothers - endures as a woman of incomparable dignity, courage, and passion.

"This edition is published by arrangement with the author and Random House, Inc."--Title page verso. 1st Ballantine Books ed. originally published in 1998. originally published by Atheneum Books in 1964.