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by Giovanna Capone
by Giovanna Capone
In My Neighborhood is a lyrical, humorous, and provocative book documenting Giovanna Capone’s search for a political and personal identity as an Italian-American raised in an old world traditional family, who later claims herself as a lesbian and a political activist.
From beginning to end, through poetry, essay, and memoir, she explores her journey both emotionally and geographically, as she leaves the hub of her ethnic identity in New York, and enters the world beyond her childhood. Her writing is bound by a search for love, freedom, and ethnic identity, and also by her feminist politics and point of view.
Her beloved heritage is an ever-present touchstone as she examines her roots and describes her adult life and developing consciousness.
“With a distinct earnest voice, Capone’s verse moves with purpose and a spirited vitality, almost seemingly duty bound to shape a comprehensive narrative out of fragments for both her own familial history and Italy proper to give a voice to those who no longer speak.” — Review, Ovunque Siamo
“A living, breathing love song to the poet’s heritage and the many ways it shaped the fierce and independent woman that she has become today.” — Maria Mazziotti Gillan, American Book Award winner for All That Lies Between Us
“Capone paints a vivid picture, whose themes of love and loss will resonate with many, as they are simultaneously both personal and universal.” — Mary Saracino, novelist, poet, and memoir writer, author of Heretics: A Love Story
Details
Details
GusGus Books
140 pp. ● 5.5×8.5
$9.95 (pb) ● $6.95 (eb)
ISBN 978-1-939562-70-8 (pb)
● 978-1-939562-71-5 (eb)
POETRY – American – Italian American
POETRY – LGBT
Giovanna Capone is a poet, fiction writer, playwright, editor, and filmmaker. She was raised in an Italian American neighborhood near the Bronx, whose strong immigrant influence still resonates in her life. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2014, Bedazzled Ink published her first full-length book, In My Neighborhood: Poetry & Prose from an Italian-American.
Giovanna’s play Her Kiss, was produced and performed to sold-out audiences in San Francisco by Luna Sea Women’s Performance Project, in their first drama festival. She also co-edited two anthologies: Hey Paesan! Writing by Lesbians & Gay Men of Italian Descent, and Dispatches from Lesbian America: 42 Short Stories & Memoir by Lesbian Writers. She also guest co-edited two issues of the lesbian literary journal Sinister Wisdom, one on Italian American women #41, and one on Lesbians and Class # 45.
Giovanna lives in Oakland, CA where she has worked as a public librarian in city and county libraries. She has taught poetry and creative writing to children and teens, through California Poets in the Schools.
Recently Giovanna has been working on a documentary film, an exciting new direction. The focus is on the Italian immigrants in Oakland, CA, their Italian social clubs, and the significance of these clubs in helping to retain a strong cultural identity in America. Her film is called: Finding the Italians: A Granddaughter’s Journey. It’s being produced through her independently established company, Capone Productions: Making Films that Make Change.
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