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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
I've read a lot of WWII books but this one was a different perspective and different region of the war which gave a new context for me. It was also about a spy who worked for the Nazi's. It was long but the story moved pretty quickly. Also has a beautiful love story. The author did a good job of telling the story from the fact he was given. The war was so tragic and this was another perspective of the tradegy.
Based on the experiences of a young Pino Lella in Italy during WWII, this reads like a thriller. Pino is in Milan when the Allied bombing leads his family to send him further North. There he aids a priest to smuggle Jews across the border to Switzerland. He learns to drive there and on his return to Milan becomes the driver for a top Nazi general. As such, he is uniquely positioned to gather information for the resistance. The ups and downs of his personal life in these situations ratchet the tension. It's a well-written and plotted story.
I reread the book in 2024, and it impressed me even more. 10.1/.24
I reread the book in 2024, and it impressed me even more. 10.1/.24
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
The story of Pino Lella is really amazing. War can tear apart countries and its people, it can change everything in the ways nothing else can, and as this book shows, it can make a hero out of a regular Italian teenager. The author has pointed out that while the big moments (both, of war and of Pino's life) in the book are based on real events, the smaller details are the imagination of the author. While I found Pino's story really interesting, I have to agree with some other readers that the writing was a bit of a letdown. I am no literary critic and usually just enjoy the story. However, this book was one of those which could have been improved (perhaps vastly) with better writing. The sentences were really simple and after going through half of the book I could see the repetitiveness and slight banality of the writing. I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in historical nonfiction/fiction, as it tells the incredible story of common people going through one of the worst times the humanity has ever seen.
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
The ending of the narrative told in this one left me devoid of all hope. Highly recommend.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
This book had my attention from the start. Although I'll say around the middle of the book when Pino is a driver for a Nazi, is when it really became a book I could not put down. I love Pino and his bravery, along with his family. This book did rip my heart out though. I don't usually cry over books but I was on the verge with this one. I think everyone who likes WW2 books should give this one a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation
Sobbed my eyes out on the floor of the closet at the end. Phenom story, incredible characters, unbelievable journey. 10/10 will need a book recovery plan.
I'd like to give this book more stars, because the story was incredible. Based on the true memories of an Italian hero during WWII, this book tells a harrowing tale of death, destruction, and sadness. The man and his actions described herein are amazing and I am glad to have read the book.
I wasn't impressed with Sullivan's prose, though, which keeps the rating at 3 stars. Even with that issue, I highly recommend the book.
I wasn't impressed with Sullivan's prose, though, which keeps the rating at 3 stars. Even with that issue, I highly recommend the book.
Starts strong, but becomes muddled in the middle and never recovers. Characters and events are generally interesting, though predictable. As the story progresses, some of Mark Sullivan’s habits become repetitive, like interrupting dialog with some shocking event. While there are some issues, Beneath a Scarlet Sky is a decent WW2 tale.