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THE QUEEN OF STEEPLECHASE PARK
David Cimonello
464 Pages (Kindle Edition)
Forest Avenue Press
May 7, 2024
Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genres: LGBT, Magical Realism, Friendship, Historical – 20th Century, Historical, Humorous,
World Literature, American
There are no words to capture what I read. I chose this book largely for the cover art and the title. It is so much more than that and I regret my frivolous reasons for selecting this novel but am very glad that they propelled me to read something that, had I read the summary on Goodreads or elsewhere, I might not have otherwise chosen.
First, some warnings. Do not pick up this book if you are deeply religious. There are things you will find offensive. Blasphemous, really.
Second, if you are put off by cursing and descriptive sex scenes, this is not for you. This latter point is why I might not have read this novel, had I seen what others said about it. Fortunately, I did not. If you can get past these two transgressions, you are in for the ride of your life.
Cimonello has woven a tapestry of Italian recipes, clever language play, and plot (in that order) to lay open Belladonna (just the name alone would have ensured my desire to read it) in the worlds of New Jersey and Coney Island, a woman who is so big hearted and loving that despite her significant flaws, you cannot help but to respect and love her and root for her. This book also works as historical fiction, taking place just after the Depression.
Let’s talk about language. Cimonello’s command of language is masterful and, at times, poetic. He engages the reader with a variety of sentence lengths, ranging from short and staccato to longer and lyrical. He uses alliteration. He plays with words in a way I don’t often see in novels. This has the effect of lightening the tone.
I did see some criticism that the tone does not match the content. This is true; it surely doesn’t. However, this was clearly an intentional move of the author. There are so many terrible things that happen to Belladonna. Her father is abusive. Belladonna gets pregnant at a young age and her father gives away her baby and then gets her sterilized (this is in published summaries of the book, so I don’t think I am giving anything away) just to name a few. The tone, humorous and at times farcical, alleviates the misery any reader would have reading about such horrible experiences. This tone is absolutely necessary, otherwise it would be unbearable. By the way, the explicit sex, while normally off-putting to me? Also necessary, as this is one of the ways that Belladonna reacts and escapes from her life.
If blasphemy, sex and bad language (all in context and all necessary) does not phase you, please do yourself a favor and read this.
A side note: I cannot believe that this is Mr. Cimonello’s first novel (he has written short stories from what I see). Please write something else. I will purchase your shopping lists!
Thanks to NetGalley and to Forest Avenue Press for providing me with the opportunity to read this magical book!
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