Household Saints — Francine Prose

"A marvelous, lovable novel."
Joyce Maynard
New York's Little Italy in the 1950s provides the setting for the extraordinary tale of the Santangelos. There is Joseph, a butcher who cheats at pinochle, only to find the deck stacked in unexpected ways; his mother, Mrs. Santangelo, who prays to her saints for good sausage and good health; Catherine, Joseph's wife, whose determination to raise a modern daughter leads her to confront ancient questions; and finally, their daughter, Theresa, whose astonishing discovery of purpose provides surprising complications....