⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The appeal, I think, of WW2 novels is the sense of realism, and the fact that despite the years rolling on, it still does not seem that long ago. As one would expect, there are scenes in this book that really tug at your heartstrings, but there are also lighter moments, hints of happiness even. While this book technically follows two timelines, both focus on Lidia, in WW2 Italy. The second timeline follows Charlotte, in 2010, as she attempts to uncover her Gran’s past. Lidia, being a Jew during the Second World War, faces some desperate challenges. She desperately wants to stay with her father, but as living in Venice starts to become more and more dangerous, and with him refusing to listen to her and leave while they still can, Lidia’s path takes an unprecedented turn with both emotional and physical hardships.
With two storylines, you get double the joy and love, but also double the sadness. Charlotte doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere, and Lidia must leave where she knows and belongs to stay alive and safe. Lidia ends up with a wonderful family, who, when she asks, point her in the direction of the partisans, with whom they work, and support. With both women, we get to watch a love story unfold, and both bloom so similarly that the two women seem to be alike in more than just looks, but in personality as well.
There are some distressing scenes in this book, and they make your heart wrench. The outcome, as well, is equally heartbreaking.
This book is so utterly riveting, I simply could not put it down. This is the sort of book that I could read again and again.
Lidia De Angelis has kept a low profile since Mussolini's racial laws wrenched her from her childhood sweetheart. But when the Germans occupy Venice in 1943, she must flee the city to save her life.
Lidia joins the partisans in the Venetian mountains, where she meets David, an English soldier fighting for the same cause. As she grows closer to him, harsh Nazi reprisals and Lidia’s own ardent anti-fascist activities threaten to tear them apart.
Decades later in London, while sorting through her grandmother’s belongings after her death, Charlotte discovers a Jewish prayer book, unopened letters written in Italian, and a fading photograph of a group of young people in front of the Doge’s Palace.
Intrigued by her grandmother’s refusal to talk about her life in Italy before and during the war, Charlotte travels to Venice in search of her roots. There, she learns not only the devastating truth about her grandmother’s past, but also some surprising truths about herself.
A heart-breaking page-turner, based on actual events in Italy during World War II
Trigger Warnings:
Death, Miscarriage, PTSD, Rape.
If you would like to read this click on the book's name - The Girl from Venice - and it will take you to your favourite online bookstore.
Siobhan Daiko is an international bestselling historical romantic fiction author. A lover of all things Italian, she lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband, a Havanese puppy and two rescue cats. After a life of romance and adventure in Hong Kong, Australia and the UK, Siobhan now spends her time, when she isn't writing, enjoying the sweet life near Venice.
Social Media Links:
Tour Schedule
Click on the LINK to follow the tour.
