Francesca Scanacapra

The dedication "For Nonno Mario, Nonna Franca and Zia Rosa, whose spirits and stories inhabit this novel" sheds light that this historical fiction novel is "inspired by true stories told to Francesca Scanacapra by her Italian family and set in locations where she spent much of her childhood."

The story begins in the autumn of 1944 and is set in the countryside village of Pieve Santa Clara, Lombardy. Graziella Ponti begins telling her story on the morning she is hastened to ready for departure by truck to a convent in the mountains for the duration of the war.

Most historical novels I’ve read share the experiences of leading up to WWII and post-war from the perspective of late teens to adults. To be inserted into the novel on the morning of 7-year-old Graziella’s separation from her parents Luigi and Teresa absorbed my attention and emotions flooded my heart. What a difficult decision to separate their child as a precaution not knowing the length of separation and if they would see one another again. What courage little Graziella showed that morning and in the days to follow.

As the novel continues to post-war Italy the reactions of Graziella and neighborhood children portray the reactions of children to schoolteachers, bullies, homework, chores, attending church, favorite family times, and times with friends. It is a story of war through a child’s eyes, her fears, her joys, her sorrow, her resilience, and her dreams.

The storytelling is written engagingly with well-developed characters, realistic dialogue, and an easy pace to read. I was a little disappointed that there was no Author’s Note to elaborate beyond the lovely Dedication. I look forward to reading Return to Paradiso joining Graziella in 1950.… (plus d'informations)

We begin in the Italian countryside as life is changing rapidly with the onset of World War II. People are scared, innocents are being killed, and to save their futures, many are sending their children to areas out of reach in order to escape the same fate. Here, we meet Graziella. This is her story as much as everyone else's, and it is through her eyes that we view the world not only during her time in a convent far away from her family, and the mishaps both she and her life experience, but the after.

Both times are rather compelling, though again, the "during" is not a focal point. Even though it only takes a small portion of our tale, it's easy to see how it shape many things that happen afterwards. I feel awkward saying it was refreshing to view this time period as it was after a war that ended so many lives, but it was uplifting in the sense that LIFE GOES ON. It doesn't mean those left behind bodily are gone, but rather their spirits come forward with us, help to guide us, and urge us to remember the hard lessons learned lest we be doomed to repeat them again.

All in all, a great start to what sounds like a promising series and a high recommendation to Historical Fiction fans.


**copy received for review; opinions are my own… (plus d'informations)