Author Barbara Josselsohn publishes her seventh novel
The Forgotten Italian Restaurant offers a readers a heaping serving of adventure.
By Deborah Skolnik
The best novels transport readers—and the works of Scarsdale’s own Barbara Josselsohn do just that, literally. Mostly set in places like summer homes and cozy Adirondack inns, the books so deftly immerse you in their worlds that you’ll swear you’re right there (until your partner whines that they can’t find the butter in the fridge. Way to spoil the moment!) The Forgotten Italian Restaurant, Josselsohn’s latest offering, takes readers on a journey to Europe, minus the flight delays.
The trip—in which the past and present are interwoven—is turbulent, however. We prepare for takeoff when the story’s modern-day protagonist, Callie, discovers that her deceased grandmother had a nasty falling-out with a childhood friend, Emilia. A meeting between Callie and Emilia sends our sleuthing heroine hurtling back to World War II-era Italy, a time when conflicting loyalties and lurking dangers were as intertwined as al dente spaghetti strands. At no point is it safe to take off your seatbelt.
A mystery rooted in history
To create the novel, Josselsohn intensively researched Italy’s role in the war. “I relied heavily on historical sources,” she shared. “Italy was initially aligned with Germany. And then, when the Allies invaded Sicily, Italy surrendered. Within a very short amount of time, the country turned from being a Nazi ally to its enemy.” Emilia, Callie learns, spent some of her teen years in a small Italian town bent on protecting its Jews.
“Emilia is faced with a decision that no fifteen-year-old should be faced with, that involves risking a great deal out of love and hope for the future,” Josselsohn said. “She can play it kind of safe, or she can take a risk. What she decides will have ramifications and consequences for all the generations to come, and will impact her for the rest of her life. And she’ll wonder if she did the right thing.”
Josselsohn co-leads the Scarsdale Public Library Writers’ Center
The Emilia in all of us
Although Hitler’s atrocities are thankfully long over, Josselsohn believes Emilia’s life will deeply resonate with anyone who reads the book. “We’re going through pretty lousy times right now. My perspective, even in my soul as I write stories, is that sanity and peace will prevail,” she explained. “And I don’t just hope that, I really do think that.”
Does Emilia embrace that same mindset? “I’ve talked sometimes about what’s the antidote to the worst of humanity,” Josselsohn said. “Is it family? Is it love, help, faith? What are we drawn to when it feels like so much is lost?” Each of us must find our own answers; pick up The Forgotten Italian Restaurant, on bookshelves August 21st, and learn how Emilia finds hers.
Purchase your copy of The Forgotten Italian Restaurant here.