Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella

The group had a good discussion about Anthony Capella's book The Wedding Officer. Almost everyone in the group liked the book. The book is set in Naples during World War II. One person said the book brought home to her what war does to a person. Her husband fought in Naples and Rome in World War II, and he was a happy man, full of humor. When he came back, he was changed; he became quiet and remained that way the rest of his life. She reflected why there had to be war. This brought one member to tears. Another member said her husband who also fought in World War II blocked it out. One member had just came back from a trip to Naples, and got to see and taste the things mentioned in the book. The group talked about the heroine of the story, Livia. Livia lost her husband Enzio in the war. One member said Livia's love for Enzio was that of a young girl in love. However, her love for James Gould the "Wedding Officer," was that of an adult in love. James is called the Wedding Officer because he has to approve or disapprove marriages between British officers and Italian women. One of the reasons of disapproval is most of the women were prostitutes, which was the only means for these women to support themselves and their families. Another reason was the cultural difference. At the beginning of the book James is rigid, proper, and set in his ways, and he disapproves most of the marriages. However, after Livia becomes the cook for the officers and he starts eating her delicious, delectable food, he changes and starts approving the marriages. The sensuality of food is a theme in the novel. There are passages about peaches, snails, peas, and other food that are examples of this. The eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius was an important event in the novel. People ignored the signs. However today they are predicting an another eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and people are ignoring the warnings. The group discussed the issue of the black market in the novel. One woman voiced that James was right to eliminate it because it erodes society, as seen in Afghanistan and Mexico today. However, someone pointed out some people would have no food without the black market. Overall, it was an enjoyable discussion about an enjoyable book.