“Who Broke the Girl?” is a searing memoir crafted in a powerful lyrical style which strips out the names of the cast of characters, identifying them only by descriptors that highlight the main characteristic of the relationship they shared. Describing her work, Costantino says: "It's an incredibly powerful story of how one can live a seemingly successful life, but be unconsciously manifesting destructive, soul-crushing experiences because of what's been left broken inside." Costantino explains: “The unique lyrical style keeps the story flowing, constantly driving the energy forward. The stripping away of the names of people and places focuses all of the attention on the emotions that are typically hidden by life's distractions, and by using ‘The Girl’ throughout I’ve removed myself from the narrative altogether, giving the reader space to see their own life in my story. Also, by taking down the barrier created by names it’s easier to see how everyone mirrors each other, and patterns are repeated, time and again, across different relationships. Using the simplest of language to describe the most complicated life events drives home the universal truth – everyone just wants to be happy. The hard part is learning how to be despite anything, and not because of something.”
In early reviews of the book, the work has been applauded:
"...Costantino's emotional honesty is refreshing, and her slow, awkward journey toward greater happiness reflects that life's problems are rarely solved in an instant. An odd but often satisfying story, told in an unusual voice." – "Kirkus Reviews"
“...a beautiful story. Her narrative voice is unique and the story of her life spins organically and seamlessly as if a spider weaving a silk. This is a personal story, hers, but the writing is intentionally reflective allowing the reader to insert herself into the story, taking Costantino's place. After all, for most of us, our personal journeys are similar even if time and place are not the same. Thoughtfully conceived over a lifetime and written with a seasoned hand, you will enjoy this book.” – C. Frazier Jones, author of “Things We Thought We Saw in the Water”
Costantino has worked on “Who Broke The Girl?” for the past year. Raised by working class parents in an Italian immigrant enclave of Syracuse NY, she attended Syracuse University with a dual major in Communications and International Relations. Starting off as a graphic designer in NYC, she moved on to a 12-year advertising career in client management; while moving herself down to Charlotte, over to Milan, back to NYC and across to London. She took a 4-month break from her career to backpack across SE Asia. Finally setting down roots in the one city she always thought of as home - NYC - she's lived in the East Village for the last 5 years.
To read extracts visit www.whobrokethegirl.com/
Reaching a global audience, Costantino is releasing her story across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, by posting thought-provoking quotes from the memoir. Already this is providing some perhaps surprising feedback: with an average of 435 “likes” per post, the raw and emotional content is generating over half of its engagement from men in the 18-24 year-old age group. View the social campaign at www.facebook.com/WhoBrokeTheGirl/?ref=hl
Paperback and e-book available at www.amzn.to/1RMkohj
For further information and interview requests contact Costantino at thegirl.awake@gmail.com