Italian-American Folklore (American Folklore Series) [Paperback]

Frances M. Malpezzi (Author), William M. Clements (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 2005 | Series: American Folklore Series

Italian-Americans compose one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States, numbering more than 14 million in the 1990 census. Though they have often been portrayed in fiction and film, these images are often based on stereotypes not borne out among the immigrant and assimilated population.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Based on published research, fiction and interviews, this work offers an diverting overview of the popular cultural baggage--customs, beliefs and entertainments--that Italian immigrants brought to America (and some embellishments they added as they adapted to their new life). At best, the book informs without being too scholarly for the general reader (for example, a discussion of folk superstitions is introduced by the insight that some immigrant Italians found the Catholic Church in the U.S. to be more legalistic and formal than the Catholic Church in Italy). But at times the authors seem merely to be ticking items off a list, as when they enumerate folk medicine cures--rubbing urine on one's forehead or wearing a crown of lemon leaves to cure a headache--without hinting when, where or why the cures were used. However, those who grew up listening to folk tales and proverbs or hearing about St. Joseph's Day food offerings and the "evil eye" may page through this work for the fun of it or even because, as the authors note, such traditions "help people know who they are." Malpezzi and Clements teach English and folklore at Arkansas State University. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Folklorists Malpezzi and Clements have produced a colorful overview of the folkways of Italian immigrants and their descendants in the United States. Following an introduction of other scholars' efforts to collect data about Italian American folk customs, the authors present a history of Italian immigration from Europe to the eastern United States and California (which began largely around 1880). The lore of a broad cross section of Italian Americans is then analyzed through chapters on conversation, life rituals, religious days and other important events, supernatural beliefs and medicine, recreation, storytelling, performing arts, and food. Other folklore studies, such as Elizabeth Mathias and Richard Raspa's Italian Folktales in America: The Verbal Art of an Immigrant Woman ( LJ 9/1/85), focus on lore from one Italian person or region; the strength of this volume is its interview materials and data representing many Italian Americans. For ethnic/immigrant and folklore collections. (Photos and index not seen.)-- Christina Carter, California State Univ. Lib., Fresno
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: August House (December 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087483533X
• ISBN-13: 978-0874835335
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #511,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Italian Customs -- to the "T", July 31, 2000

By 

"mgygax" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Italian-American Folklore (American Folklore Series) (Paperback)

As an Italian-American myself, I was searching to fill the gaps on some of the details regarding some of the traditions and superstitions that my grandparents believed in. Since both of them have passed away, we have been filling in a family tree and are supplementing our research with some of the rituals and customs we have come to enjoy and would like to pass them along to our children.

This book was right on the money! Very enjoyable and easy to follow! My father and aunt and uncle enjoyed the portions I read aloud to them-- it brought back a lot of memories and is allowing us to build a more robust family history story! Excellent reading!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Book!, March 15, 2009

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Nella (NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Italian-American Folklore (American Folklore Series) (Paperback)

Being Italian-American, I really enjoyed this book! I also learned so much that I did not know about my culture. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Conversation, which include some insightful proverbs. Italians have always been a very proud and self-reliant people, as summarized in the wise and timeless Sicilian-American proverb - "Cu s'aiuta Diu l'aiuta" (God helps those who help themselves). I also enjoyed the list of words that were adapted from English (p.45) with the Italian dialect and morphological tones. Really nice book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, September 3, 2006

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Ty "Tyler" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Italian-American Folklore (American Folklore Series) (Paperback)

Very ineresting and insightful look at Italianj American's and their colorful superstitions, charming as they often are. Reminded me of another favorite I-A book I recently read, Eleven Days in August, by Amatore Mille.