The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

Part II Youth

Part II

Youth

I wanted to come to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold. When I got here, I learned three things: One, the streets weren’t paved with gold. Two, the streets weren’t paved at all. Three, I was expected to pave them.

—“OLD ITALIAN STORY,” ELLIS ISLAND

Cchi vue, a vutte chjina o la mugliere mbriaca?

Which do you want, a full bottle or a drunk wife?

—CALAbrESE PROVERB