Coming of age stories rarely have the gripping story-telling that has your turning page after page. This book lures you in with the plot but you stay for the expert writing which weaves a captivating tale of family legacies at the crucial time when one is coming into her own.

As a young woman no matter how much you are prepared getting your period for the first time can feel scary and overwhelming. But for the main character in this novel it’s not just those things, but it also causes blood to flow freely from her entire house, and forces her and her family to deal with a family secret that has been hidden from view. I wish that my Italian was strong enough that I could’ve read this book in Italian because I’m sure in that language the depiction of Italy and the family would be even more beautiful, but this translation is gorgeous and the novel is excellent.

I really enjoy multi-generation stories, and this one did not disappoint, I’m so glad I was finally able to read this one! It’s definitely a book that you have to keep up with and really pay attention to, but it is a quick read. With the subject matter, I might be hesitant to read it again, but I would recommend it.

An interesting blend of the three generations and their perspectives on the "family curse", but the reader must be persistent. The opening, while interesting, is rather slow paced.

“The Empire of Dirt” is a magical realism, coming-of-age novel by Italian author Francesca Manfredi.

I liked how the tension built throughout the novel. The book is fast-paced (I finished it in 2 days). However, I often found myself confused the by characters’ motivations. And I could have done without the animal violence!