The Patron Saint of Second Chances

A Novel

Christine Simon

• Publisher: Atria Books
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN:
  9781982188788
• eBook ISBN:
  9781982188795
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Literature General
• Index: Literature

The self-appointed mayor of a tiny Italian village is determined to save his hometown no matter the cost in this "charming farce that highlights the triumph of hope and community" ( People ). Vacuum repairman and self-appointed mayor of Prometto, Italy (population 212) Signor Speranza has a problem: unless he can come up with 70, 000 euros to fix the town's pipes, the water commission will shut off the water to the village and all the residents will be forced to disperse. In a desperate bid to boost tourism—and revenue—he spreads a harmless rumor that movie star Dante Rinaldi will be filming his next project nearby.Unfortunately, the plan works a little too well, and soon everyone wants to be a part of the fictional film—the village butcher will throw in some money if Speranza can find roles for his fifteen enormous sons, Speranza's wistfully adrift daughter reveals an unexpected interest in stage makeup, and his hapless assistant Smilzo volunteers a screenplay that's not so secretly based on his undying love for the film's leading lady. To his surprise—and considerable consternation, Speranza realizes that the only way to keep up the ruse is to make the movie for real.As the entire town becomes involved (even the village priest invests!), Signor Speranza starts to think he might be able to pull this off. But what happens when Dante Rinaldi doesn't show up? Or worse, what if he does? A "warmhearted, original gem of a novel" (Amy Poeppel, author of Musical Chairs ), The Patron Saint of Second Chances is perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman and Maria Semple.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Chapter 1: Who Will Pray for the Pipes?
• Chapter 2: Do You Want Me to Show You a Real Problem?
• Chapter 3: Betta Finds Out
• Chapter 4: The Mysterious Whereabouts of George Clooney
• Chapter 5: Signor Speranza Consults His Conscience
• Chapter 6: Signor Speranza Finds the Answer
• Chapter 7: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Investment Opportunity
• Chapter 8: Into the Lion’s Den
• Chapter 9: The Auditions
• Chapter 10: How to Run Like a Movie Star
• Chapter 11: Tree Stumps Have Feelings, Too
• Chapter 12: Signor Speranza Steps in It
• Chapter 13: Signor Maestro Calls in a Favor
• Chapter 14: Technology Is Hard
• Chapter 15: Signor Speranza Prepares for Battle
• Chapter 16: Smilzo’s Spectacular Set Piece
• Chapter 17: The Guest
• Chapter 18: Signor Speranza Pushes His Luck
• Chapter 19: Incognito
• Chapter 20: Don Rocco Weighs In
• Chapter 21: The Plan, Part One
• Chapter 22: The Plan, Part Two
• Chapter 23
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• Copyright