Eh, paesan! : being Italian in Toronto /

Cose Italiani, i.e., things Italian, from food to fashion, are hot items these days, so it is not surprising to have Harney's Eh, Paesan! for review. Unfortunately, this warmed-over Ph.D. dissertation from the University of Toronto fails to demonstrate the admirable grace, flair, or charm of its subject matter. Instead the author rather drily recounts the history and social organization of Italians in contemporary Toronto. In failing to achieve this hoped for goal, Harney reviews the history of Italian immigration to the New World and some of the local activities of these adventurous people as they create a new identity and social life for themselves; he also speculates a bit on what the future holds for them. Although informative and insightful on particular matters, this study about immigration and/or urban ethnicity contains little of more general interest. Robert Orsi's The Madonna of 115th Street (CH, May '86) is recommended for those interested in this subject. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. W. Arens; SUNY at Stony Brook