B.G. Firmani
Writer
Forte e Gentile
My very occasional blog about Italian-American literature and folkways. Older version here and newer version here.
Time’s a Thief
My novel, published by Doubleday in 2017, reviews of which somehow always contain the word “gritty.” The title paraphrases a line from Kurt Weill‘s “Speak Low.”
Some Recent-ish Nonfiction
“My Mother Seven Superlatives” in The Southeast Review and “Wilmington, Delaware, in Eight Superlatives” in J Journal
“That is some big-ass Italian hair!”
Best compliment ever received
Notes on me
- Born in Wilmington, Delaware, hometown of the late, great Clifford Brown
- Endured twelve years of Catholic school
- Escaped to New York City for college at Barnard
- Went to graduate school at Brown, mostly through the magical intercession of Carole Maso
More notes on me if you can stand it
- My husband, Damian Van Denburgh, writes about lots of things, including music.
- I have a day job. I rather like my day job. People find this weird.
- Read up on spasmodic dysphonia so you don’t look at me weirdly when I speak!
- This photo is probably the last time I wore purple.
“B.G. Firmani’s witty, intimate, and knowing voice is captivating, and will keep readers up way past their bedtime, as it did me, just to stay under its spell. Time’s a Thief tells the ageless story of a young woman who comes to New York City to be schooled, awakened, emotionally bruised, and heartbroken, until she grows wise enough to put the shambles of her life back together. It’s a pleasure to accompany this heroine on her journey.”
Lynne Sharon Schwartz
Author of Truthtelling, Leaving Brooklyn, and Disturbances in the Field