The Pursuit of Felicita
The Pursuit of Felicita (Book 3 of The New Americans) continues the Donatello family’s journey as they navigate a rapidly changing America in the aftermath of World War I. Jobs are scarce, anti-immigrant sentiment is rising, and the promise of a better life remains frustratingly out of reach. Peter and Angelu are doing their best to move forward, but John’s return complicates things. He may be home, yet the war seems to have followed him, and the family soon discovers that picking up where they left off isn’t so simple.
Tony and Ty Drago once again place family at the heart of the story. Angelu remains one of the series’ most endearing characters. His straightforward view of the world provides both humor and surprising insight. Peter continues as the family’s steady center, while John emerges as a far more complicated figure: ambitious, restless, determined to shape his own destiny regardless of cost.
The postwar setting feels truly vivid here. Economic uncertainty, lingering scars of the Great War, growing prejudice against immigrants, and the looming arrival of Prohibition all create a sense that America itself stands at a crossroads. The Dragos weave these historical realities naturally into the lives of their characters instead of treating them as background scenery.
Like earlier installments, this novel functions as part of a larger family saga rather than a completely self-contained story. Yet the emotional pull remains strong, particularly as the Donatellos confront difficult choices about loyalty, identity, and what success truly costs. Readers invested in the family’s journey will find The Pursuit of Felicita a rewarding continuation of the series and an important turning point in the lives of the Donatello brothers.
