Theresa C. Dintino

The Strega and the Dreamer Theresa C. Dintino

The Strega and the Dreamer is the story of a man who is willing to sacrifice everything for a dream, and a passionate woman questioning the confining roles allowed to 19th century women. Eva is an Italian Strega, a midwife and healer, fully committed to her small hilltop village. Marcello is a man with a dream of America?a dream that Eva does not share. Famine comes to the Abruzzi. Marcello goes to America, leaving his family behind as he searches for a more prosperous life. During their six-year separation, Eva dedicates herself to her Strega duties and the people of the village. Though it is taboo for a woman to do so, with the help of a doctor from the city she secretly learns of modern medicine. When Marcello finally calls for her, Eva has a decision to make. She must choose between staying in her beloved village where she has her family and her Strega calling, or moving to America, where midwifery is considered barbaric and is being systematically eliminated.