The first six months represent a tumultuous time in United States history. A deadly virus invaded the country. Hospitals filled with sick patients and health care workers became unwilling heroes in the fight to save lives. Fear spiked among investors, and the stock market prices declined. Politicians fought the virus's spread with a policy of social distancing, quarantines, and business shut-downs. Travel virtually stopped. The regulations forced restaurants, gyms, and salons to close. Millions lost their jobs. To replace the loss of revenue, the Federal government dolled out money to the population.
Cell phone technology allowed observers to video police brutality. The videos went viral as the Internet spread them to the entire world. Frustrated citizenship reacted to police brutality with a demonstration that some time turned violet. Phrases like systematic racial injustice and black-lives matter filled the national consciousness.
Eggplant Restaurant 2020 tells the story of the first six months of 2020 through the Moretti family's lives. The novel chronological how the family members suffer, thrive, live, and love in the time of the COVID-19 virus. It covers the period from January 1 to June 30 when life changed drastically for everyone.
Eighty-two-year-old Mattia Moretti and married to Luna opened the renowned Eggplant restaurant in 1958. Mattia retired in 2008. At that time, he awarded part ownership interest to Francesco, his son, and Lorenzo, his grandson, but retained a controlling interest in the Restaurant and ownership of the Restaurant building. The first chapter takes place on New Year's Day in the Eggplant Restaurant. At the party, the reader meets Francesco and his four children: Lorenzo, Elena, Liliana, and Angelina.
Lorenzo and his wife, Nancy, have two young children Anthony and Maria. Their eldest daughter, Elena, owns a financial advisory business and focuses on the stock market and her lover. Liliana works as an intensive care unit nurse and faces the terror and challenges on the front line fighting the virus. Angelina, the youngest of Francesco's children, works as a pastry chef in the family restaurant and likes dating men.
Francesco markets the Eggplant Restaurant to large groups and cooks in the kitchen from time to time. Lorenzo handles restaurant operation and administration, which including accounting. Lorenzo considers the Restaurant his to inherit.
The compelling narrative draws the reader into the lives of the three generations of the Moretti family. It describes the events that changed their lives and how they respond. Told in the present tense, events, and reactions unfold as if watching a fast-paced movie.