Catherine DiMercurio Dominc Amazing Disgrace

Amazing Disgrace

Catherine DiMercurio Dominc

Five Star, Jul 2006, $26.95

ISBN: 1594144664

Her doubts about her Catholic faith finally boiled over when her brother Marco and his wife Rosie ask Aida Benedetto to become the godmother to her nephew Joseph. She tells them no because she cannot guarantee that if God forbid something happened to the parents, she will raise their child to be a good Catholic. Her parents are mortified, but not as much as her grandmother Nonna, who wants to excommunicate Aida from the family.

Her family tries an intervention using Father Roberto, but that upsets Aida; only her on and off boyfriend Birch McFarland seems to empathize with her position as he too was strictly raised. However, the duo split over a tragedy and he returns to the Church. Aida tries to mend fences with her family and Birch while not surrendering her beliefs, but no one seems truly there for her as they feel she is a disgrace.

This fascinating family drama stars realistic protagonists struggling with doing the right thing. Grace is the key as she wants to be there for her nephew, but cannot do it under the terms that her brother and his wife demand. Taking a stand takes personal courage as her beloved Nonna treats her as a heretic. Though the climax seems a bit simplistic for a complex issue, fans will welcome this fine poignant look at faith.

Harriet Klausner