Once Upon A Hill -- Book Review

Once Upon a Hill by Carmine Vittoria is a muti-faceted work of heavily documented historical fiction. It will have particular appeal to readers interested in the development of the Mafia here in America as well as its roots in the south of Italy. Professor Vittoria makes interesting, occasional references to the Mafia films such as The Godfather and Goodfellows which makes his historical writing relevant to present day readers. Additionally, the book will have special appeal to Bostonians as the complicated history of the North End is thoroughly explored in the writing.

Readers are initially introduced to two young Italian shepherd boys from small towns in the Campagna region of Italy. At 8 years old the boys are thrust into the hard life of shepherding hundreds of sheep to the Apennine Mountain ridge for grazing. It’s a lonely and dangerous life. The resulting friendship of the boys forms the basis of the story.

One boy, Vito, comes from the sunny side of the mountain and his trek up to the top is very long. His trek is fraught with typical mountain dangers of wildlife and dangerous terrain. The second boy, Guido, comes from the colder and windier side of the mountain. His trek to the top is shorter, but exceedingly difficult due to an abundance of loose boulders and deep ravines and wild boar. These treks hint to the paths they each will follow in life. Once the boys reach the sweet grasses of the highland plateau, the tedious and lengthy job of caring for the sheep and sheepdogs continues for months. The gentleness of the grassland atop the mountain offers a needed contrast to the grueling trek up the hill. Frequent matches of bocce among the shepherds of all ages provide excitement and camaraderie.

This introduction of the boys’ cresting the hill, encumbered with responsibility, and reaching the top successfully, is a metaphor for the entire subsequent story. It’s the 1940’s, the War has ended, and the boys become familiarized with the modern world and its opportunities. Vito decides to come to America and eventually gains entry through legitimate channels. Guido also gains entry but does so under false pretenses and documents signed and paid for by his Mafia relatives. Their method of entry into the U.S. foreshadows the paths their American lives will take.

Author Vittoria has clearly done his homework as we follow Guido’s path through all the open doors provided by the Mafia. The background of the Mafia capos, where they come from, and what becomes of them is fascinating. Mafia illegal activities in New Jersey, New York, Boston, Providence, Miami, Havana, and Las Vegas will remind readers of what a dangerous and massive and successful, and evil organization gripped the country. A truly black mark on Italian American history.

Vito’s path was blissfully different. Just as he entered the country as an upright citizen, so his life continued. It was a pleasure to read about his good choices, academic challenges and successes. His emersion into the rarified world of electro-magnetics and that of Enrico Fermi’s former students and colleagues is fascinating and satisfying.

Interestingly, the two childhood friends meet again, much later in life on a bocce court in Boston’s North End. So, the boys come full circle from their youthful bocce on the high plateau. The bocce court which was an oasis at the top of the Apennines is also an oasis in the troubled North End where people come together for relaxation and diversion despite their differences in daily life. The conclusion is gratifying, and the richly detailed book is enjoyable and edifying.

Click here to purchase on Amazon