The Queen of Steeplechase Park

A Kirkus Best Book of 2024

LGBTQ+ Spotlight, Foreword Reviews

15 Indie Press Books You Should Be Reading This Summer, Electric Literature 

Staff Pick, Powell's Books

Staff Pick, Annie Bloom's Books 

Book of the Day, Foreword Reviews

Starred Kirkus review

"Love, pain, and nearly magical meatballs make the story of Bella Donato a delightful read."

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Bella is a loud, brash, and lovable heroine."

—Foreword Reviews

"A magnificently charming book." 

—The Historical Novel Society

"This is one of the standout feel-good novels of the summer and it will tickle your funny bone, pull at your heartstrings, and remind all of us about the power of forgiveness and friendship, and the preciousness of life, love, and Italian cooking."

—Bay Area Reporter

"Outrageous and engaging in all the best ways." 

—Karen, bookseller, Annie Bloom's Books

"This raucous tale takes readers to Coney Island for a strip-tease and into the homes of Depression-era wiseguys. The characters are outcasts who have been judged and deemed unworthy by society. But Bella refuses to be cast aside, instead she finds her chosen family—and at every turn, she cooks with a spiritual dedication."

—Wendy Fox, Electric Literature

“David Ciminello’s debut novel commands attention in a raucous style reminiscent of literary bizarro czar Tom Robbins. Perhaps both authors could be characterized as novelistic libertarians in the best sense—writing exuberant, no-holds-barred stories full of heart and eclectic characters.”

—The Bookmonger

"Ciminello has woven a tapestry of Italian recipes, clever language play, and plot (in that order) to lay open Belladonna (just the name alone would have ensured my desire to read it) in the worlds of New Jersey and Coney Island, a woman who is so big hearted and loving that despite her significant flaws, you cannot help but to respect and love her and root for her."

—The Book Review Crew

"The brilliant David Ciminello 's hilarious and moving novel The Queen of Steeplechase Park is a crazy Italian circus with a heart as big as Sicily. I loved Belladonna Marie Donato and her merry band of misfits, outcasts who become chosen family as she makes peace with her family of origin. A glorious Italian American feast! Bravo David!"

—Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Good Left Undone

"David Ciminello has written a great big rollercoaster of a novel. . . . Read this book! Hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time." 

—Fannie Flagg, author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

“Ciminello is a master of delicious wordplay. His lusciously cinematic story is a veritable carnival ride culled from his family’s kitchen history. The Queen of Steeplechase Park is a tasty tale of love, sex, and the holy magic of homemade Italian cooking.” 

—Blair Fell, author of The Sign for Home

"Open your mouth and ready your heart because Belladonna Marie from The Queen of Steeplechase Park is about to serve you some unforgettable tales of love and loss, with a side of meatballs. David Ciminello has re-animated Depression era Coney Island with such vivid and dazzling detail that I wanted to laugh, cry, eat a hot dog, and go for a swim all at once. A phenomenal story of a Burlesque queen searching for her lost baby in the glitz, ooze, and hum of sideshows from Brighton to Gravesend. I couldn't put it down." 

—Lidia Yuknavitch, author of Thrust 

"Meet Belladonna Marie, the force of nature plucked from the historical and culinary passions of David Ciminello. Set in depression-era Coney Island, the novel whips up a bevy of queer, memorable eccentrics, served with a heaping side of sumptuous language. From Melanzana to Puttana, The Queen of Steeplechase Park is a whimsical, gastronomical delight."

—Suzy Vitello, author ofBitterroot

"The Queen of Steeplechase Park crackles with the hyper-real comic book energy of a graphic novel, and the recipes are a primer on how to live your best life. Buon appetito! Mangiare bene! Delizioso!"

—Stevan Allred, author of The Alehouse at the End of the World