Seeds of the Pomegranate

Written by Suzanne Samuels
Review by Amy Turner

In 1905, Mimi Inglese appears to be on the cusp of achieving her artistic dreams. But tuberculosis and the struggles of her family prevent Mimi from pursuing her ambitions. Her family leaves Sicily to work with her godfather in Manhattan, but it is clear from the moment they arrive in the United States that Mimi’s godfather is much more than an importer. Mimi’s artistic skills are called upon when they become entrenched in a money-laundering scheme.

Mimi finds purpose and a validation of her talent in counterfeiting as well as through her friendship with Stella Frauto. However, the Inglese family sinks deeper into the underworld of gang activity, moving from one disaster to another.

Seeds of the Pomegranate is dense with family dynamics. The narrative is weighed down by an abundance of dialogue. Conversely, when the reader can sink into the detailed description of the world Mimi inhabits, the pages fly by. Sudden time jumps are frequent as the scale of the story takes us across Mimi’s lifetime.

As readers, we journey with Mimi into the underworld, as we would with Persephone, and keep hoping that Mimi will achieve what she envisioned for the mythological figure in the beginning of the novel: power and choice. An entertaining read for those that love sprawling family dramas, and a compelling portrayal of early 20^th-century Manhattan.