You’ll never have me like you want me

When Emilia realizes what Italy means, she decides to keep a journal. As an Italian-American who lived all her life in Brooklyn, Emilia goes to Italy because she wants to live in the only place in the world where it’s normal to be Italian. She doesn’t speak Italian well and isn’t familiar with the laws. Although she has Italian citizenship, she can’t get real help from her psychologist and her social worker. Her life gets smaller and smaller. Her chances get slimmer and slimmer. The solution to all her problems appears in an unexpected flash.

Rose Romano is an Italian-American author now living in Italy. In the United States, she published a literary journal, la bella figura, and founded malafemmina press, publishing only the work of Italian-Americans. Her books of poetry (Vendetta and The wop factor) and her anthology (La bella figura: a choice) are included in the collections of many public and university libraries. Her work has been taught at universities in the United States and Canada. She has organized and participated in poetry readings and book presentations in the United States, Canada, and Italy.