The Letter Carrier by Francesca Giannone

 This is an Italian book that was translated into English. When I read the synopsis, I thought it sounded like my kind of book. But I didn't truly love it. The story starts in Italy in the 1930s when Carlo returns to  his hometown in the north of Italy with his bride Anna and their son Roberto. His brother, Anotonio, is immediately smitten with Anna, even though he is married and has a daughter. 

Anna is not crazy about the move. When they lived in the south, she was a teacher and did volunteer work. Here is she expected to be a stay at home wife and mother. But one day, she sees a notice for a new mail carrier and applies for the job. Her family is aghast, but she gets the job and becomes more entwined in the community, as she is often called upon to read letters to the recipients, who cannot read themselves.

The story follows the family through the decades as Carlos starts a successful wintery, Antonio's moody daughter has an ill-advised romance with a man who then moves to New York to pursue his own dreams. And Carlos finds out a life-changing secret from a former girlfriend, who is still bitter that he chose Anna over her.

I think the reason I didn't love this book was because I didn't like most of the characters. But it's been getting rave reviews, so judge for yourself--and let me know what you think.