"Umbertina" is a multi-generational saga that explores the lives of Italian-American women across different eras. The novel traces the journey of Umbertina, a young Italian peasant who emigrates to the United States in the late 19th century, and follows her descendants as they navigate the complexities of identity, heritage, and cultural assimilation. Through the intertwining stories of Umbertina and her female descendants, the book delves into themes of family, tradition, and the enduring ties to one's homeland, offering a rich portrait of the immigrant experience and the evolving roles of women through history.

"Steps" is a series of loosely connected, episodic short stories that portray the life of a man who, as a child, survived World War II in Eastern Europe, and who later immigrates to the United States. The narrative is filled with scenes of violence, sexual perversion, and alienation, reflecting the protagonist's experiences in a world marked by chaos, brutality, and moral ambiguity. The protagonist's perspective shifts throughout the book, offering a complex, fragmented, and often disturbing view of human nature and society.