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Filomena Abys-Smith Author Interview
A Bit of Myself shares your journey from your childhood in Bagnoli, Italy, to your life in the Bronx, capturing the struggles, love, and cultural richness that shaped your path to self-discovery. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wrote my memoir for my children, hoping that they would read it and gain an understanding of their ancestors, and an appreciation for the struggle that we endured. I attempted to imbue them with the resilience required to thrive. I also wanted to leave a written record of who we are and where we came from, a kind of time capsule for my descendants. My final devotion of love.
How did your experience growing up in the Bronx shape your views on resilience and independence, and how do those lessons continue to influence you today?
Within myself, I carry a torch of determination, a flame that was set in the housing projects that I will not only survive but thrive. I knew that the only way out of the South Bronx was through education and hard work. The South Bronx taught me to be strong, to stand up for myself, and that no matter how many obstacles life places in your way you need to move on. Today I still carry that torch of determination that I will achieve my full potential. That is why I write.
The memoir captures the richness of Bagnoli. How did you go about recreating those memories, and what role does your Italian heritage play in your life now?
Those memories of my life in Bagnoli are always with me, they live inside my very being. All I needed to do was close my eyes and the sights, sounds, and feelings poured out of me onto paper. My Italian heritage is displayed in how I live, from a passion for good food to gardening, and a love of family.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
I hope my readers will take away a sense of self-determination, pride, and love for this great country we are privileged to live in. God Bless the USA.
Author Links: Facebook | GoodReads
A Bit of Myself
A Bit of Myself by Filomena Abys-Smith is a captivating memoir brimming with vivid, heartfelt, and often heartrending anecdotes. From her roots in Bagnoli, Italy, to her family’s migration to the United States, Abys-Smith paints a rich tapestry of memories. Her early years in America were marked by the struggle of learning a new language and adapting to an unfamiliar and often challenging environment. Television and the unforgiving streets of her Bronx neighborhood became her unexpected tutors. Growing up in the Mott Haven projects, she learned quickly to navigate bullies and stand her ground among troublemakers.
The memoir traces Filomena’s journey through the complexities of love in various stages. Moments of bliss contrast sharply with those of heartbreak, each leaving a lasting impact that shapes her journey of healing, self-discovery, and resilience. Readers witness her evolution as she navigates relationships, loss, growth, and the experience of motherhood. Readers walk beside Filomena through a life brimming with love, pain, and transformation.
Abys-Smith’s descriptions of life in Bagnoli are imbued with evocative imagery and lyrical storytelling. Her recollections conjure a landscape alive with “sparks of sounds, smells, laughter, and vivid colors,” capturing the magic of her Italian upbringing. Her account of New Year’s Eve in Bagnoli is a particular highlight: “Bagnoli would be dressed with tall poles holding wheels of brightly colored fireworks.” This poetic rendering transports readers, immersing them in a world brimming with cultural richness and sensory delight. Her essays detailing life in America are equally engaging, filled with striking detail and candid reflections.
Filomena’s tenacity shines as she forges her own path, challenging the expectations placed on women of her generation. Choosing a career over the conventional role of a stay-at-home mother, she pushed back against societal limitations, asserting her right to independence and self-fulfillment. From motherhood and migration to love triangles, sexism, and the pursuit of education, the narrative unfolds with complexity and grace. Abys-Smith explores topics like politics and activism while also delving into the bittersweet aspects of love. Her romantic entanglements are full of drama, reminiscent of a thrilling Telemundo series. The reader is pulled into her experiences, from falling in love at work to being caught between two men and grappling with difficult decisions.
A Bit of Myself is a sensational and beautifully crafted memoir that resonates deeply with those who know the joy and anguish of love. It will captivate anyone with a passion for culture-rich stories and the richness of personal history. Culinary enthusiasts will also delight in the recipes scattered throughout the book, such as the delectable fried zucchini with fresh mint dressing.
Pages: 364 | ASIN: B07GTFF38S
LITERARY TITAN 