Based on a True Story
| Giuseppe’s Saga is a romance, with a duel, heartbreak, |
| death, a brutal beating, adultery, personal doubts, spiritual |
| guidance, and a donkey that knows the way home. |
| Introduction | Testimonials | Acknowledgement | Live Events |
| Giuseppe | |||||
| A Sicilian Odyssey | |||||
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| A Fictional Biography Based on a True Story |
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| Introduction | ||
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Beginning in the 1890s, this incredible story recounts a heartwarming fictionalized biography based on true events. Paul, son of Giuseppe, spent two decades crafting the initial treatment to chronicle this saga. As it unfolds through the perspectives of three main characters, their fates become intertwined with those of twelve others. Each immigrant has their own unique story of hardship as they enter the United States, and we witness the strict immigration inspections and means testing they must endure. The challenges faced by immigrants are highlighted, with noticeable differences between first class, second class, and the steerage class, where experiences were often unbearable. Our story begins in Sicily with a short-lived passion between Giuseppe and Virginia, a stunning young woman. Their happiness is cut short when conflict with Virginia's intended, Carlo, a budding Mafia enforcer, compels Giuseppe to flee to America to evade consequences from the dangerous underworld. His determination leads him and his two siblings first to Philadelphia and eventually to Cleveland, where he strives for success in life and love. After marrying Virginia, Carlo is convicted of adultery and sentenced to ten years of hard labor. When he dies in prison, the Mafia seizes control of their family business and evicts them. Destituted, Virginia accompanies Father Marco on his journey to the United States, where she agrees to a ten-year servitude cooking for his church. The story begins with their meeting and the compelling ending will move readers to tears. |
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| Testimonials | ||
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My dad believed his parents' love story was one for the ages. Larry infused my dad's recording of their story with heart and soul. My grandfather's motivations, struggles, and ultimate success and happiness came to life. I wish I could have known my grandmother, who died when my dad was eighteen. Larry gave her a real place in my heart to keep forever. This was an act of love for our family. Thank you, Larry. Emily F Friel - Paul Fina's daughter |
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Jo Monroe, CEO Monroe Publishing and The Star Community Newspaper |
| Acknowledgement | ||
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I would like to recognize my uncle Paul Emil Fina (1916-2009), the eldest son of Giuseppe. He used a manual typewriter to compose the original 54-page biographical memoir detailing his father's journey from Sicily to America. It was evident that this was an act of pure love for his father. At the age of 70, he began writing upon retiring from his teaching job at the College of DuPage. He worked on the story sporadically from 1986 to 2006, when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Writing this version of Guiseppe has been a personal passion for over a decade. I am grateful for the opportunity and humbled by the experience. I was moved to tears the first few times I read the ending. I am fortunate to have worked with JJ Sweeting, who provided extremely valuable feedback as well as editing and proofreading support. |
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| Jo | ||
| Lawrence Jay FinaO | ||
| Live Events | |||||
| Idytalks.com Podcast | |||||
| Podcast Audio | |||||
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| Idyllwild Library Talk 2025 | |||||
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