The Contadino, set in the year 1875, is a fictional work of Sicilian-American intrigue.
Dominico Aspaci’s life as a proud contadino would soon end. In the late 1800’s, education in Sicily was minimal, three years at most. The ravages of a recent civil war and the reality of a subservient underclass left few choices for the aspiring youth of this troubled but beautiful island. This was life in the village of Poggioreale, Sicily. In a world where a privileged aristocracy owned the land, Dominico finally accepted the fact that achieving his dreams in his homeland was impossible. He soon set his sites on America, the Land of Opportunity, where dreams really did come true.
He entered through the port city of New Orleans, Louisiana where he was to meet his boyhood friend, Tori Adamo. However, upon arriving, Tori wasn’t there. With the help of the local parish priest Dominico found lodging and work. Within weeks he saved enough money to continue his travels to Texas, where he found work on the docks of the Houston Ship Channel. There, fate intercedes and Dominico was befriended by an unusual pair of immigrants; Thomas O’Connor, a redheaded speck of a man with a captivating Irish brogue and his companion Giuseppe di Alcamo, a burly Sicilian. Giuseppe being the opposite of his Irish counterpart had a quiet disposition and spoke only when necessary. The three became fast friends.
Soon, Dominico was able to locate his cousin, Giovanni Malandrino, an influential Houston importer, and the three immigrants left their jobs at the port to begin work in Giovanni’s warehouse. Giovanni saw something in Dominico that set him apart from the others. His quiet, persuasive manner when dealing with others, and his soft-spoken words conveyed a wisdom beyond his years. His understanding of the Sicilian mind and his uncanny ability to predict his opponent’s moves gained him great respect. In time, with Giovanni’s attention, Dominico became a powerful business force and skillful negotiator, who needed to use persuasion only when negotiation proved unsuccessful. Domenico was becoming the man that Giovanni's son would never be.
Enter the world of long ago and follow in the footsteps of Dominico Aspaci’s life in America.
Frank J. Agnello is a native Houstonian whose mother was descended from the Failla family of Poggioreale, Sicily and whose father was born in nearby Alcamo, Sicily.
Copies of The Contadino may be purchased for $19.95 plus s/h and sales tax for Texas residents. For details, please contact Frank by e-mail at: frankagnello@poggioreale.net
