Good Reads  /  Community Library Notes
Siracusa - Delia Ephron
Review by Priscilla Comen

“Siracusa” by Delia Ephron shows us two couples who travel abroad together every year. Michael, a writer, and his wife, Lizzie, their daughter, Snow, and another couple, Finn and Taylor. Snow is really the main character in this tale, getting into all kinds of trouble. She’s much in love with her father. The two couples flirt with one another, and come close to the edge. Lizzie, Michael’s wife, loves sex but knows when Michael is telling wild stories , and keeps him under control when he’s in a crowd. Michael has written a successful play (won a Pulitzer!) and brags about it constantly. 
    They go to Italy and choose a small town, Ortigia, to stay. While in Rome, they go for the best ice cream there. Author Ephron describes the flavors as if she’s painting a picture of tastes: delicious. Ortigia is the jewel of Siracusa, dating back to 700 BC. When they go to the Trevi fountain, (in Rome) Lizzie talks about Anita Ekberg and the movie La Dolce Vita. This reminds Michael of how Ekberg pulled him along when he saw the film. Before anyone knows it, Snow is in the fountain. Finn rescues her.
    This is a travel-logue, but not a serious one. It’s good for a rainy day, to spend with four-five crazy people. When they arrive in Ortigia, they find their hotel is tacky, their rooms too small, They have a view of the parking lot. They ask for a different room, can’t get a refund. Ephron does a fine job of pitting one character against the other. Will Snow be damaged by their game? They’re each in love with the wrong person. 
    Michael’s lover, Kate, arrives in Ortigia, wants Michael to tell Lizzie he’s leaving her. He won’t do it while they’re on vacation. Kate wants a ring to show her parents that she’s engaged. Michael buys her an expensive bauble, Snow tries it on while she’s in the fountain. Whoops! It’s too big on her finger. 
    Ephron’s characters are fiction, the cities in Italy are real. Will any of the characters emerge unscathed? Author Ephron combines humor with seriousness in her plot. Find this on the new fiction shelf of your community library.