Picture an Italian-American storyteller who brought the charm of small-town Virginia to the world—meet Adriana Trigiani! With her heartwarming novels, this New York Times bestselling author has captivated millions, weaving tales of love, family, and craftsmanship that feel like a warm hug. From her Appalachian roots to her global fanbase, Trigiani’s stories resonate with readers in 38 languages, earning her a spot as one of the reigning queens of women’s fiction.
Born in Roseto, Pennsylvania, and raised in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, Trigiani’s Italian heritage and close-knit family shape her vibrant narratives. Her knack for storytelling, honed in theater and television, shines through in every page, making her a beloved voice in historical fiction and beyond.
The Making of Adriana Trigiani
Adriana Trigiani grew up in the 1960s in Big Stone Gap, a coal-mining town in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The third of seven children in an Italian-American family, she was surrounded by stories—her mother a librarian, her father a garment manufacturer. Inspired by the lively community and authors like Lee Smith, Trigiani began writing early, landing a radio news reporter gig at 15. At Saint Mary’s College in Indiana, she wrote and directed an original play, Notes From the Nile, earning the William Mitchell Playwriting Award. In 1985, she moved to New York City, chasing dreams of playwriting, where her off-Broadway debut, Secrets of the Lava Lamp, marked the start of a dynamic career.
Adriana Trigiani’s Unforgettable Stories
Trigiani’s novels are a love letter to family, work, and Italian-American heritage. Her debut, Big Stone Gap (2000), follows Ave Maria Mulligan, a pharmacist navigating love and identity in a quirky Virginia town. The series, including Big Cherry Holler and Milk Glass Moon, blends humor and heart, reflecting Trigiani’s Appalachian roots. The Shoemaker’s Wife (2012), inspired by her grandparents’ immigration from Italy, is an epic tale of love and resilience across two continents, praised as 'tiramisu for the soul' by critics. Lucia, Lucia (2003) captures 1950s New York through a spirited Italian-American seamstress, while The Good Left Undone (2022) weaves a multigenerational saga of secrets and survival. Known for vivid characters and rich historical settings, Trigiani’s style is both accessible and deeply emotional, celebrating everyday people with extraordinary hearts.
Beyond novels, Trigiani’s versatility shines in her memoir Don’t Sing at the Table, sharing life lessons from her grandmothers, and Cooking with My Sisters, a cookbook-memoir of family recipes. Her work as a playwright, TV writer for shows like The Cosby Show, and filmmaker—directing the Big Stone Gap movie and the award-winning documentary Queens of the Big Time—adds depth to her storytelling legacy.
Why Adriana Trigiani Matters
Adriana Trigiani’s impact lies in her ability to honor working-class lives and Italian-American heritage with authenticity and warmth. Her novels, translated into 38 languages, resonate globally, offering universal themes of love, loss, and community. Through The Origin Project, a writing program she co-founded in Virginia, Trigiani inspires over 2,700 Appalachian students, fostering creativity in her home state. Her podcast, You Are What You Read, connects luminaries like Sarah Jessica Parker with book lovers, amplifying her influence. Critics and fans alike celebrate her as a storyteller who makes every reader feel at home.
- Born: Roseto, Pennsylvania
- Key Works: Big Stone Gap, The Shoemaker’s Wife, Lucia, Lucia, The Good Left Undone
- Awards: Hamptons International Film Festival Audience Award for Queens of the Big Time, Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia
Ready to fall in love with a story? Grab The Shoemaker’s Wife and dive into Adriana Trigiani’s heartwarming world of historical fiction!