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Pamela Schoenewaldt
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Swimming in the Moon: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Pamela Schoenewaldt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 657 ratings
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A new historical novel from Pamela Schoenewaldt, the USA Today bestselling author of When We Were Strangers.

Italy, 1905. Fourteen-year-old Lucia and her young mother, Teresa, are servants in a magnificent villa on the Bay of Naples, where Teresa soothes their unhappy mistress with song. But volatile tempers force them to flee, exchanging their warm, gilded cage for the cold winds off Lake Erie and Cleveland's restless immigrant quarters.

With a voice as soaring and varied as her moods, Teresa transforms herself into the Naples Nightingale on the vaudeville circuit. Clever and hardworking, Lucia blossoms in school until her mother's demons return, fracturing Lucia's dreams.

Yet Lucia is not alone in her struggle for a better life. All around her, friends and neighbors, new Americans, are demanding decent wages and working conditions. Lucia joins their battle, confronting risks and opportunities that will transform her and her world in ways she never imagined.

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  1. Print length
    401 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  4. Publication date
    September 3, 2013
  5. File size
    4.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lucia D'Angelo and her mother, Teresa, work as servants at a quiet seaside villa in Naples until Teresa's eruptive temper costs them their jobs and forces them to flee to America in Schoenewaldt's touching second novel (When We Were Strangers). Arriving in Cleveland in 1904, Lucia and her mother struggle to get by in their new lives, living in close quarters with other immigrants, working long hours in poor conditions for little pay. While Lucia quickly picks up English and begins to excel in school, her mother continues acting out at her factory job, threatening their livelihood and Lucia's dreams of attending college. Evoking the challenges new immigrants faced in early 20th century America, Schoenewaldt illustrates Lucia's poignant struggle between her ambitions and her loyalty to her mother with striking verisimilitude. Once news of New York's Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire reaches Cleveland, Lucia realizes her own neighbors deserve better treatment and helps lead a strike against the city's factory owners. A rich cast of characters and a timeless story of family strife bring life to this thoughtful and emotional historical fiction. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Sept.)

Review

“From the sun-baked cobblestones of Naples to a crowded boardinghouse in Cleveland to a grand vaudeville hall in Chicago, Pamela Schoenewaldt brings to vivid life a compelling, richly detailed world.” — Christina Baker Kline, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train

A beautifully rendered and poignant family drama that teems with the life of early 20th Century America…Schoenewaldt has given us a whole universe between the covers of this book. — Dana Sachs, author of The Secret of the Nightingale Palace Dana Sachs, author of The Secret of the Nightingale Palace Dana Sachs, author of The Secret of the Nightingale Palace Dana Sachs, author of The Secret of the Nightingale Palace Dana Sachs, author of The Secret of the Nightingale Palace Dana Sachs, author of The Secret of the Nightingale Palace Dana Sachs, author of The Secret of the Nightingale Palace

“Lush with historical detail, Swimming in the Moon celebrates the power of the mother-daughter relationship. Pamela Schoenewaldt delivers another novel full of richly realized characters, who transport us to the immigrant neighborhoods of early twentieth century America.” — Jessica Brockmole, author of Letters from Skye

“A must read for anyone who enjoys beautiful, richly drawn characters, and a historical setting so realistic that one would believe they had been transported to another time. A glorious, unforgettable novel, A+.” — Pittsburg Examiner

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BATIKQ6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (September 3, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 3, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 401 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 657 ratings

About the author

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Pamela Schoenewaldt

Pamela Schoenewaldt

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Pamela Schoenewaldt's first historical novel of immigration, USAToday Bestseller, When We Were Strangers (2011), was a Barnes & Noble Great Discovery. Her second, Swimming in the Moon, was short-listed for the Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction. Under the Same Blue Sky (May 2015) tells of a young woman whose mysterious healing powers confront the devastation of World War I. Pamela lived for ten years outside Naples, Italy, an experience which inspired her first two novels. She lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband, Maurizio Conti, a physicist and Jesse, their philosopher-dog.

Read excerpts, reviews, check out the photo gallery, or get in touch at www.PamelaSchoenewaldt.com

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
657 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story interesting and well-written. They describe the book as an easy, enjoyable read with believable characters that connect with readers. The information is compelling and well-researched. Readers find the book engaging and captivating from beginning to end. The imagery is remarkable and beautiful, depicting the times, lives of immigrants, and work conditions vividly. The discussion of mental health issues is well-done and meaningful, portraying real people enduring real challenges. Overall, customers appreciate the caring and deep look at people and their struggles.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Story qualityReadabilityCharacter developmentInformation qualityEnjoymentImageryMental health issues
68 customers mention "Story quality"64 positive4 negative

Customers find the story engaging. They appreciate the author's storytelling skills and the drama of young immigrant female characters. The book explores mental health issues and working conditions in industrial America. Readers also mention that the book is rich with drama and passionate characters.

"...in the way Americans know it to be (black vs. white), it was quite interesting to read about the way immigrants from different countries viewed each..." Read more

"...The book grapples with several compelling issues that remain relevant today, including immigration and society's response to mental illness...." Read more

"This was an interesting story about the difficult times immigrants faced at the turn of the last century, and what was probably the birth of the..." Read more

"...Certainly, Swimming to the Moon is a fascinating read, and stands on its own, but I found the lightening speed with which America had changed,..." Read more

24 customers mention "Readability"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and different from other history books. They describe it as an amazing summer read and a nice find.

"...with careful historical research and detail, make this a book worth reading." Read more

"...I enjoyed the book very much." Read more

"...about the early days of the American labor union organizations, it's not a drab, boring history book...." Read more

"This was a nice find. Wonderful information about the history of immigrants to this country and their struggles...." Read more

21 customers mention "Character development"18 positive3 negative

Customers find the characters believable and relatable. They appreciate the mother character and the heroine, describing her as remarkable yet sad.

"This story has so many layers, in-depth characters, and the storyline unfolds in a way that really makes the reader connected to each character...." Read more

"...Her characters feel real and multidimensional. That skill, combined with careful historical research and detail, make this a book worth reading." Read more

"...The remarkable construction of her characters, in company with plot lines that allow us to better understand the history and roles of immigrants in..." Read more

"...This is historical fiction at its best: rich with detail, captivating characters, drawn with Ms. Schoenewaldt's deft and lyrical hand ." Read more

12 customers mention "Information quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched. They appreciate the compelling topic, detailed characters, and nuanced storytelling. The historical research and attention to detail make it a worthwhile read.

"...I found it a very quick, compelling read. Interesting and recommended to fans of historical fiction!" Read more

"...That skill, combined with careful historical research and detail, make this a book worth reading." Read more

"In addition to powerful and engaging, I would add provocative, informative, and evocative...." Read more

"...This is historical fiction at its best: rich with detail, captivating characters, drawn with Ms. Schoenewaldt's deft and lyrical hand ." Read more

11 customers mention "Enjoyment"9 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it engaging, well-written, and captivating from beginning to end.

"...and the bold, new 20th, makes this novel an especially enjoyable follow-up for those readers who have come to appreciate Schoenewaldt's meticulous..." Read more

"In addition to powerful and engaging, I would add provocative, informative, and evocative...." Read more

"What a delightfully enjoyable novel. An enjoyable novel, as well as historical, as well as a story of family and friends, and as importantly, I..." Read more

"...human fragility so well while still weaving a story that was engaging and inspiring, not weighed down by the sudden ups and downs that portray how..." Read more

7 customers mention "Imagery"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's imagery remarkable and beautiful. It paints a vivid picture of the times, immigrants' lives, and work conditions. The book depicts struggles with mental illness, survival, and worker's rights in a meaningful way.

"...Pamela Schoenewaldt's prose is rich and full of vivid imagery. Her characters feel real and multidimensional...." Read more

"...Swimming in the Moon is several novels in one, colorfully illustrating struggles with mental illness, survival, and worker's rights...." Read more

"...This work is a caring, deep and meaningful look at people and where they come from, what influences them with the choices they make." Read more

"...'s descriptive language of Naples put me right there in that lush beautiful country...." Read more

6 customers mention "Mental health issues"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's well-received discussion of mental health issues. They find the people portrayed in the book to be real, with genuine struggles and dreams. The book provides a caring, meaningful look at people and their lives, including their rights, women's rights, and self-empowerment.

"...Pamela covers so many topics: mental illness, single motherhood, women's rights, immigration issues, abuse, worker's rights, women's rights, and self..." Read more

"...immigrants, it is a story about abuse of workers by employers, of mental illness and the treatment of mental patients...." Read more

"...I love the title and the shadows it produces. This work is a caring, deep and meaningful look at people and where they come from, what influences..." Read more

"...The story had wonderful substance. These were real people enduring real challenges...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Texas Suburban Mom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Swimming Towards Success!! Great Book!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This story has so many layers, in-depth characters, and the storyline unfolds in a way that really makes the reader connected to each character. Teresa is a single mother, with her dreams of becoming a famous singer, but stifled as a servant. Teresa is such a fascinating, yet sad character, plagued with mental illness that impacts her role as worker and mother. Lucia is a young girl, with an old soul, who takes on the responsibility of taking care of her mother.

    As their journey takes them to America, Pamela brings such a raw and open view to the struggle immigrants faced, the challenges of learning a foreign language, and assimilating into a culture that isn't very accepting of foreigners. Told in such vivid detail, the scenes are quite dynamic and the reader will identify with different parts of the story, regardless of his/her own family history.

    Pamela covers so many topics: mental illness, single motherhood, women's rights, immigration issues, abuse, worker's rights, women's rights, and self-empowerment. There were many times that I simply had to put the book down and cry. While the book is fiction, there were some incidents that truly did happen, and it simply took my breath away.

    If readers have read Pamela's first book, When We Were Strangers, they will love that Lula has a role in this book!! Lula is the "wise woman" in the book and is a mother figure for Lucia. While the book doesn't cover racism in the way Americans know it to be (black vs. white), it was quite interesting to read about the way immigrants from different countries viewed each other, and the lack of trust they had for one another based on what they heard in their communities. The stereotypes and ignorance truly impacted relationships and kept people from uniting, until they had a similar cause: worker's rights, later-women's rights.

    While the book covers many issues, the story doesn't get bogged down with too much information, nor does it dilute the relationships developed between characters. Told through Lucia's point of view, it is quite interesting to see that as she grows, the decisions she makes reflect her maturity. In the beginning, she simply wants safety and to be with her mother. As she grows up, she begins to realize her own dreams and works towards accomplishing those. Then, as an adult, she realizes her dreams are bigger and aren't just about herself.

    This is simply an exceptional story, and the discussions would be endless in a classroom setting, book club, between friends over coffee, or even amongst friends online!! It's a book that will leave you wanting to know more about Lucia and her relationships with her friends and family, the plight for women's/worker's rights, and the way mental illness evolves over time. I highly recommend this book and could definitely see a sequel becoming a success...and maybe, even a movie!!

    There is so much to discover in this book, that I know you will be inspired and motivated through Lucia's journey!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jessie Houston
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great historical fiction
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I love well-researched historical fiction, and this is certainly a prime example. This beautifully written tale follows a young Italian immigrant, Lucia. At the turn of the 20th century, Lucia and her mother work as servants of the wealthy Countess in a beautiful Italian villa. However, when they are forced to flee Naples under dark circumstances, Lucia and Teresa make their way to America. The book largely traces Lucia's attempts to forge a new life for herself in Cleveland. As she navigates this unfamiliar world of settlement houses and garment factories, Lucia holds onto the dream of obtaining an education and finds herself drawn into the fight for workers rights. The book grapples with several compelling issues that remain relevant today, including immigration and society's response to mental illness. I found it a very quick, compelling read.

    Interesting and recommended to fans of historical fiction!
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  • Bjp
    3.0 out of 5 stars Worth the read for the history
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was an interesting story about the difficult times immigrants faced at the turn of the last century, and what was probably the birth of the ILGWU. The story itself was predictable and often the writing was cringe-worthy.
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  • E. Weiss
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another fine work by Pamela Schoenewaldt
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Pamela Schoenewaldt's second work of historical fiction, Swimming in the Moon, finds a new Italian immigrant character, Lucia, in Cleveland, Ohio, twenty years after the arrival of her first novel's heroine, Irma, of When We Were Strangers. The juxtaposition of the 19th Century and the bold, new 20th, makes this novel an especially enjoyable follow-up for those readers who have come to appreciate Schoenewaldt's meticulous attention to historical detail. Certainly, Swimming to the Moon is a fascinating read, and stands on its own, but I found the lightening speed with which America had changed, especially when compared to the old, entrenched traditions of Europe, especially interesting. Industrialization drives Cleveland, and the continuous stream of new immigrants, desperate for work, even under unspeakable conditions and for exploitative wages, is the engine that makes that possible. The new century brings with it new possibilities: a nascent labor movement, women's suffrage, opportunities for higher education for girls, and automobiles. At the same time, the problems of the old century linger on: xenophobia, disease, exploitation and devastating poverty.

    Schoenewaldt explores two major themes in this novel - mental illness and labor history. The first, the horrific treatment of the mentally ill, is unfortunately a legacy still with us. Lucia's mother, a talented singer, is plagued by delusions and spells of mania and catatonia. Her illness, and need for care, become a millstone that both limits Lucia's possibilities and strengthens her resolve to achieve her dreams. We see the most inhumane of treatments, and a gleam of the chance to deal with the mentally ill in a kinder, more scientific manner. I was especially pleased with the detailed history of the labor movement in Cleveland. As labor loses it's influence in the current century, it's good to be reminded what work life was like before the change brought about by unions, and what enormous effort it took for ordinary people to bring about that change.

    Pamela Schoenewaldt's prose is rich and full of vivid imagery. Her characters feel real and multidimensional. That skill, combined with careful historical research and detail, make this a book worth reading.
    One person found this helpful
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  • L. Lowe
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This was an interesting read for a couple reasons. It is set in Cleveland and i could picture certain egging because I know them as they are now. It’s also a piece of history that is not often written about, which is a strike of mostly women in the garment industry. Tied up rather neatly at the end, but I’d still recommend this read.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Music Always
    5.0 out of 5 stars Second book, second good surprise
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I read the previous book by Pamela, and was amazed by how good it was. I had a second surprise with "Swimming in the Moon". A beautiful story, big on details about the characters' feelings, truly enjoyable. I won't say more, it's worthwhile reading it and there is no need to know too much about it. Just "drink" it.
    I think I may have found another favourite writer in Mrs Schoenewaldt. Brilliant.
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