Hello Beautiful

Gabi's Review

Ann Napolitano's Hello, Beautiful is a poignant and deeply affecting novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the power of human connection. Set against the backdrop of working class Chicago, the novel follows the intertwined lives of four siblings, and William who marries into the family.  Together their paths cross in unexpected and life-changing ways to profound effects, where changing of perspectives aids processing difficult truths about their own stories.

At its heart, Hello, Beautiful is a story about resilience and redemption. A troubled young woman grappling with the scars of her past, finds herself drawn to an older woman whose quiet strength and compassion offer a lifeline in the midst of emotional and psychological turmoil. As their bond deepens, both women are forced to confront the traumas that have shaped their lives, and both discover that true strength lies not in isolation but in the courage to reach out and connect with others.

Napolitano's evocative, sensitive writing draws readers into the inner worlds of her characters. Through alternating perspectives, she reveals the complexities of experiences and the search for meaning in a world marked by tragedy. The writing is propulsive, and the dialogue is convincing.

With its unforgettable characters, tender prose, and powerful emotional resonance, Hello, Beautiful is a moving and ultimately uplifting meditation on the enduring bonds that sustain us through life's most difficult moments. I can recommend this without hesitation.

Washington Post Review
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/03/14/ann-napolitano-hello-beautiful-review/

Publishers Reviews

The instant New York Times bestseller and Oprah book club pick - a gorgeous, life-affirming novel about four sisters and the love affair that fractures their family for generations

Best friends and sisters, the four Padavano girls are seen as inseparable by everyone in their close-knit Italian-American neighbourhood, bringing loving chaos with them wherever they go. William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him. So, when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano, it's as if the world has lit up around him.

With Julia comes her family- Sylvie, the family's dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. But when darkness from William's past begins to block the light of his future, it is Sylvie, not Julia, who becomes his closest confidante. The result is a catastrophic rift that leaves the family inhabiting two sides of a fault line.