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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
Absorbing
This story was rambling at times, but very absorbing and thought provoking. I cried a lot and was left with many questions. The characters were intriguing, perhaps most of ask because they were real people leading
g real lives, which is always stranger than fiction.
This story was rambling at times, but very absorbing and thought provoking. I cried a lot and was left with many questions. The characters were intriguing, perhaps most of ask because they were real people leading
g real lives, which is always stranger than fiction.
An amazing tale from start to finish. Kind of reminds me of “The Boys in the Boat” but less dense and more lively. The characters are memorable and fun to get to know, even if we only know them for a chapter or two. Plus, I feel that many WWII books don’t focus on what happened in Italy vs elsewhere in Europe. Absolutely not surprised that this is being made into a movie, and here’s hoping they do the book justice!
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
3-3.5 stars. This story very much deserves to be told unfortunately, the way it’s told here is not engaging at all. I didn’t feel any connection to the characters even though they’re real people not to the places in Italy that I know well. The best part was the afterword, don’t skip it.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Generally a fictionalized version of Pino Lella's WWII experiences. If half of what is written as true, it's an amazing story of resistance. Pino, a young man from Milan, helps people in hiding escape by walking them across mountain passes and then later becomes a driver for Hitler's left-hand man, General Leyers, as a spy for the resistance. Difficult to tell what's completely true or not. There are many, many coincidental close calls and well-known people rubbing elbows. Much controversy can be found about the novel online...
But regardless of that controversy, the main issue I had was with the writing style. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it doesn't flow and was hard to get into. I felt the same way with Sullivan's All the Glimmering Stars at first, but then getting into the story sorted out those bumps. I never quite felt like I could suspend my disbelief enough for this story to get into it like that one. It also ends super abruptly with an Aftermath Afterword that name drops a hundred people and is really difficult to follow. All in all, 2 ⭐ writing, 5/4 ⭐ story (if the events are real/which not all probably are). Average 3 ⭐.
But regardless of that controversy, the main issue I had was with the writing style. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it doesn't flow and was hard to get into. I felt the same way with Sullivan's All the Glimmering Stars at first, but then getting into the story sorted out those bumps. I never quite felt like I could suspend my disbelief enough for this story to get into it like that one. It also ends super abruptly with an Aftermath Afterword that name drops a hundred people and is really difficult to follow. All in all, 2 ⭐ writing, 5/4 ⭐ story (if the events are real/which not all probably are). Average 3 ⭐.
Fantastic!
Amazing story about WWII from a different perspective. It was an amazing story that kept me on my toes. I learned a lot about what Milan was like during that time period.
Amazing story about WWII from a different perspective. It was an amazing story that kept me on my toes. I learned a lot about what Milan was like during that time period.
Loved this book. Couldn't put it down. Well written.
3.7⭐️ DNF close to end (reading slump) this book was so beautifully written. The descriptions of mountains especially. I love the first half the book before more (surprisingly). I feel the mountain trail scenes are amazingly written but when Pino returns back to the city book becomes a lot more repetitive and dull.
Hands down the best book I’ve read in years. I usually don’t write reviews because I’m lazy but this book was the most incredible story and everyone should read it