kelly_e's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 Title: Our Darkest Night
Author: Jennifer Robson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4
Pub Date: January 5th 2021

T H R E E • W O R D S

Emotive • Informative • Underwhelming

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Inspired by true events, Our Darkest Night takes place in 1943 Italy, a time when life was becoming increasingly dangerous for Italian Jews. Faced with the threat of imprisonment or deportation now that Nazi Germany occupies much of her homeland, Antonina Mazin knows her father is right, she must leave Venice and everything she loves behind, including her personal identity. Her father enlists the help of a beloved friend and priest, and Antonina's becomes Nina, the wife of a Christian farmer named Nico. A story of family and sacrifice, of love and perseverance, and ultimately of survival, this is a deeply moving tale that amplifies the stories of Italian Jews.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Our Darkest Night was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021! I was left feeling a little disappointed, but don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful and heart-wrenching story, I just think my expectations were so high in large part because I loved The Gown so much. This novel is very well written, and the cover captures the story told within so beautifully. Historical Fiction is my go-to, but this one didn't stand out (maybe I've been reading too much lately?) Robson has done a tremendous job with the research here, and getting a different perspective (Italian Jews) was certainly welcomed, as I learned about a part of WWII I don't know much about. The emotional grip, I've come to know, and love, in a really good historical fiction novel, wasn't there. That makes it sounds like it wasn't emotional, which is was, it just wasn't that powerful all consuming emotion. The part I loved most is Nina's relationship with Stella, it slowly developed into a lasting friendship where each played a crucial role in the others survival. Although I can only ponder what these friendships must have meant in the face of such extreme circumstances. I also would have loved Rosa's story to have been a little more developed than it was, in my opinion there is so much potential for a powerful story there. A note to readers as well, I wish I had known there was a glossary of terms at the end of the book, as it would have helped in deciphering different terms while reading.

If you've enjoyed Jennifer Robson's work in the past, it's definitely worth picking up. It's also good for historical fiction fans, especially fans of WWII stories (this one offers a different perspective), and/or romantic stories.


📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• WWII historical fiction fans

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"'What if something happens to you? I couldn't bear it if you were hurt. If they took you away from me.'
'I promise to be careful. But I want you to promise me something in return. If the worst should happen, you must remember what I told you just now. You are brace. You are strong. And you can bear anything.'" 

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travelthrupages's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.25


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amnda527's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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amandamagdic's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 Set in WWII era Italy this historical fiction follows Anotonia (Nina) and Nico as the try and survive in a world being overtaken by Hitler and the SS. Nina lives a quiet life in Venice training in the shadows with her physician father to become a doctor. Treating neighbours and other fellow Jews when the can, trying to stay off the radar of the authorities due to the laws prohibiting it. But Hitler is moving closer and Nina's father has a plan to keep her safe. He has arranged with old friend Father Bernardi for Nina to travel to small town Mezza Ciel under they guise of being Nico's new bride. 

As Nina settles into her new life on the farm, she forms a deep friendship with Nico that turns to a love match. All seems well until the nazis make it to the country and Nico's resistance efforts to help move other Jews like Nina come under suspicion. Nico and Nina both soon find themselves prisoners in the internment camps struggling for their lived. 

Robson spins a well written tale, told from the unique perspective of the Italians during WWII. She managed to engage the reader and bring out true emotions. As a reader you feel drawn into the story and empathy for our lovers and their family. The atrocities they endure is heartbreaking. It's an interesting insight to other nationalities that were dragged into Hitlers war. This is my first read of Robson's but won't be my last. A definite must read for fans of historical fiction, especially of the WWII era. 

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