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melanie_books's review against another edition
4.0
Eva & Angelo have loved each other since they were children, despite their differences. Eva is the daughter of a wealthy Jewish business man; the grandson of Eva's housekeeper, Angelo arrived from America with the intention of joining the priesthood. But despite their childhood affections, they grew apart as they got older, especially as Angelo joined the church. The changing political climate of Italy didn't help as the Jews were increasingly targeted. Angelo's sole focus is now keeping Eva safe from those who would kill her people, despite the fact that he can't ever have her. Disguised as his sister, she works in the belly of the beast - Nazi headquarters in Rome. It will take every ounce of courage for them to survive.
This story was beautiful and heartbreaking and incredible. The interesting historical background of the Catholic church working to hide & protect Italy's Jews was the perfect setting for Eva & Angelo's story. Their relationship had so many obstacles but they chose to love one another in whatever way they could. Angelo's commitment to his calling but also to Eva made him my favorite character. Though I don't agree with all of their conclusions about faith, I appreciated the place the topic had in the storytelling. Like many Amy Harmon stories, she takes impossible circumstances and turns them into remarkable endings.
This story was beautiful and heartbreaking and incredible. The interesting historical background of the Catholic church working to hide & protect Italy's Jews was the perfect setting for Eva & Angelo's story. Their relationship had so many obstacles but they chose to love one another in whatever way they could. Angelo's commitment to his calling but also to Eva made him my favorite character. Though I don't agree with all of their conclusions about faith, I appreciated the place the topic had in the storytelling. Like many Amy Harmon stories, she takes impossible circumstances and turns them into remarkable endings.
mhaugh16's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bethsponz's review against another edition
5.0
A great WW2 story about Italian Jews being hid by the Italian Catholics. A love story mainly, of a Catholic priest and a Jewish girl raised together when they were young. For those who like The Nightingale or Beneath a Scarlet Sky you will love this one.
ndbeyer's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audio book and it was an almost DNF for me. Too much detail on the Jewish religion vs. the Catholic religion. I finally found interest in the book when there was about 1/4 left-
lisamshardlow's review against another edition
4.0
Is there a more beautiful love story than that of Eva Rosselli, an Italian Jew, and Angelo Bianco, a Catholic priest, during WWII? I don't think so. I'll never get over or understand the horrors that happened in the holocaust, and I know this is fiction, but things like this will have happened and it just amazes me how people can be so resilient. The story was really good, it had me feeling all kinds of different emotions, and I loved the characters too.
jennyw_reads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
d_hryniuk's review against another edition
4.0
Eva is a Jew and Angelo is Catholic. Despite this fact, they love each other. And during World War II they have to fight for their lives and love.
This novel isn’t only about love. There a lot of other problems - betrayal, partiality, power of art, inner beliefs, friendship.
I liked the novel. But I wasn’t touched. Sometimes the events were quite dynamic and interesting to read, but sometimes the reading was boring. I was especially irritated when Eva or Angelo several times remembered the same events in detail.
I liked the historical background very much. I don’t know history very well, so it was an interesting opportunity to get to know more about that period, especially in Italy. I also liked how the author added explanations of some Jews’ rituals and beliefs. As for me, they were quite useful and helped me to understand Eva a little bit better.
I also liked the audiobook very much. It was the first time I listened to such a perfect narrator.
P.S. The audiobook was in Russian:)
This novel isn’t only about love. There a lot of other problems - betrayal, partiality, power of art, inner beliefs, friendship.
I liked the novel. But I wasn’t touched. Sometimes the events were quite dynamic and interesting to read, but sometimes the reading was boring. I was especially irritated when Eva or Angelo several times remembered the same events in detail.
I liked the historical background very much. I don’t know history very well, so it was an interesting opportunity to get to know more about that period, especially in Italy. I also liked how the author added explanations of some Jews’ rituals and beliefs. As for me, they were quite useful and helped me to understand Eva a little bit better.
I also liked the audiobook very much. It was the first time I listened to such a perfect narrator.
P.S. The audiobook was in Russian:)
cjones4209's review against another edition
5.0
This will forever be one of my most favorite books. I am biased because Amy Harmon is one who rekindled my love for reading as an adult and is still one of my all time favorite authors ever. Her books are my comfort reads and I've reread each one multiple times. Such a heartwarming yet heartbreaking story set during WWII with the best love story. Each reread seems better than the last!!!
d0nnaw0ng's review against another edition
5.0
This will always be a 5 star read for me! I cannot stop recommending this book enough! I completely balled my eyes out reading this historical fiction. The intense love between Sand and Ash that held no boundaries either its because of the time, culture or religion!