On Tuesday 16 of October, at the invitation of Italian Senator Ernesto Rapani, Daniela D'Amico Henderson will present her new book "La Masseria" to members of the Senate and invited guests. The event will take place at Sala Caduti di Nassirya, Piazza Madama, 00186 Roma at 16:00, and the proceedings will be broadcast live on https://webtv.senato.it and on the Senate's YouTube Channel.
Daniela D'Amico Henderson is an accomplished educator and dedicated volunteer. An Italian native who has lived in the United States for the past two decades, Daniela brings a deep commitment to education, cultural engagement, and community service.
Daniela is married to Mitch Henderson, a member of AUR's Board of Trustees, and together they have three children. Despite her busy family life, she has built a meaningful teaching career while actively contributing to her community through volunteer work. For over ten years, Daniela has served on the board of the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, an organization that allows her to remain closely connected to her Italian heritage—a culture she cherishes deeply.
Her personal passions include travel, learning, and the arts. When not exploring new places and meeting people, she devotes her time to reading, playing the piano, and, above all, writing, which she considers her true creative outlet.
"La Masseria" is Henderson's second novel, following the successful "Fuori dalla mia testa: Storia di un amore bipolare;" the tale of a spirited yoga instructor named Sabrina and the funny, heartfelt, and nostalgic story of sliding doors, or, as the subtitle suggests, of an unfinished love.
The story of "La Masserie" is intertwined in the lively fabric of Puglia and Calabria in 1938, a novel that unites destiny and courage in lands rich in history. Ninetta De Cinto, heir to an influential family of farmers, challenges her father’s will by marrying Amilcare, the son of a bricklayer. Their union, which challenges social boundaries, soon becomes dark: Amilcare’s authoritarian character puts Ninetta to the test.
The Second World War brings dramatic changes: Amilcare is called to the front, and Ninetta, left alone with little Nicola, must face the cruelty of war. During the German occupation, the De Cinto family is forced to flee, and few manage to escape a cruel fate. Ninetta, now Maria, after amnesia, finds herself involved in a web of secrets and loves, in the arms of the American Jonathan Walker and the revelation of a past that resurfaces. With the war's end, the return to the native lands reveals new truths and ancient lies. Vito, son of a love born in the rubble of the conflict, and Nicola, son of the land and pride, are at the center of turbulent family affairs.
“La Masseria” is a story of rebirth, rediscovered identities, and new beginnings. It is a tale of a hidden legacy, of letters never sent, and a legacy to be reclaimed. This novel is full of passion and hidden truths, ready to sprout like the lands of Southern Italy.
AUR's president, Scott Sprenger, and Italian professors Marecella Alamprese and Catherine Ramsey-Portolano will attend the book presentation. Students of The American University of Rome will read passages from the book during the event.