Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. The author managed to grasp my attention basically from the get go, with action starting almost right away. From what I understand based on articles I have read by Pino’s children and other people who knew him, this book is pretty historically accurate despite some discussion about the inaccuracies of it.
The last chapter, “The Aftermath” was phenomenal in tying the whole book together and clearing up any loose ends.
The last chapter, “The Aftermath” was phenomenal in tying the whole book together and clearing up any loose ends.
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, what a great WWII novel. I love that it dives into a part of WWII that is often not talked about. It is a very graphic read but needs to be to describe the horror of what happened because of Hitler and Mussolini. As I was reading I kept researching parts of Italy during the war because I wanted to learn more. Highly recommend if you enjoy historical fiction.
Wow, what a story. I honestly couldn’t put this down. Beneath a Scarlet Sky reads like a fast-paced thriller, but the fact that it’s based on a real person’s life makes it all the more jaw-dropping. Pino Lella’s journey, from teenage dreamer to Nazi driver and spy is completely wild. There were moments I had to remind myself this actually happened.
Mark Sullivan did a great job bringing Pino’s story to life with emotional depth and historical detail without ever getting bogged down. It’s heartbreaking, inspiring, and full of those “how is this not a movie yet?!” moments.
Highly recommend if you’re into WWII stories that spotlight lesser-known heroes.
Definitely one that’ll stick with me for a long time.
Mark Sullivan did a great job bringing Pino’s story to life with emotional depth and historical detail without ever getting bogged down. It’s heartbreaking, inspiring, and full of those “how is this not a movie yet?!” moments.
Highly recommend if you’re into WWII stories that spotlight lesser-known heroes.
Definitely one that’ll stick with me for a long time.
I listened to this as and audiobook and it definitely is quite the adventure/epic tale.
Pino and his brother are sent off to the Dolmites to try and escape part of WWII. Instead they become fierce mountaineers and helps shuttle some individuals to escape Nazi occupied Italy and make it to Switzerland. I especially liked this part. When he returns back to Milan where his parents live, he has to make a horrible choice. To either join the Italian Resistance or the Nazis. His parents encourage him to go the safer route, but one that proves to lead him on a both horrifying and fascinating path. Coincidence has him help out a senior officer to fix his car. Once he is hired to be his driver, his life as a spy commences. There is some brutality, but also moments of tenderness and love in his experiences.
I think it is closer to 3.5 stars for me, but I definitely found the narrative to be rather sexist and doesn't have such a great or flattering portrayal of women who play more supporting and side roles much to my disappointment. Also, there are really many gut wrenching moments throughout the later third of the book. He has rough times with his family, best friend, etc. It certainly highlights the brutality and horror that was Italy experienced during WWII and is often overlooked.
Pino and his brother are sent off to the Dolmites to try and escape part of WWII. Instead they become fierce mountaineers and helps shuttle some individuals to escape Nazi occupied Italy and make it to Switzerland. I especially liked this part. When he returns back to Milan where his parents live, he has to make a horrible choice. To either join the Italian Resistance or the Nazis. His parents encourage him to go the safer route, but one that proves to lead him on a both horrifying and fascinating path. Coincidence has him help out a senior officer to fix his car. Once he is hired to be his driver, his life as a spy commences. There is some brutality, but also moments of tenderness and love in his experiences.
I think it is closer to 3.5 stars for me, but I definitely found the narrative to be rather sexist and doesn't have such a great or flattering portrayal of women who play more supporting and side roles much to my disappointment. Also, there are really many gut wrenching moments throughout the later third of the book. He has rough times with his family, best friend, etc. It certainly highlights the brutality and horror that was Italy experienced during WWII and is often overlooked.
The story itself is amazing, but I just couldn’t get over the writing style.