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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I thought this was very interesting, but probably not for the reasons most other people did. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction, but this one stands out in terms of raising the question of how much of the truth is owed to the reader. Pino and the other characters and events are real but diluted and changed in their fictionalization and likely in the memories of those recounting their own stories that form the basis for the book. I think it’s an incredible story and am not overly concerned with the veracity of the details. My main issue was with General Leyers. Pino purportedly despises him, wants to kill him, and sees him do unequivocally terrible things, yet I felt we were supposed to question the depth of his involvement and find him morally gray. It didn’t sit right with me that prisoners were called “gray men” but the Nazi general was frequently humanized. I don’t think paper needed to be wasted on these efforts, and it didn’t even make sense for Pino to question this if he truly hated the man as much as he claimed. Is the man who talks to Hilter and Mussolini, commands efforts to kill Allied troops, and oversees prisoner selection bad? I felt insulted and offended as a reader that despite all the evidence that assuredly points to yes, the text is laced with doubt. Other thoughts: I appreciated the setting and focus on Italy and the horrors of fascism there, which isn’t broadly written about. It is remarkable how many people were saved thanks to the Catholic Church and ordinary people like Pino and his family. Reading this in 2025 was deeply disturbing because of the many parallels to current events. The blurb and information on the book market it as a love story, and I think that’s a bit misleading, since the romance isn’t the focus of the story. Overall, I think there are other books that do similar things but with stronger writing (the writing was very simplistic, which made me feel like I was reading a book aimed at young readers) and less questioning if all Nazis are bad.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Incredible and heartbreaking story based on the true experiences of Pino Lello, living in Northern Italy during WW2. I’ve learnt so much of Italy’s involvement in the war, the Nazis, Mussolini and the divisions of the Italian people living under these times.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
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
Took me forever to finish listening to but it was enjoyable.
It was an interesting perspective of WWII that was not taught in school. The writing and conversations were very basic and made it tough to want to continue.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
Loveable characters:
Yes