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lu_books05's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
raulbime's review
4.0
Set in Italy and beginning in the first half of the twentieth century, this story revolves around the narrator tracing the life of her family, principally her grandmothers and mostly her paternal grandmother. A poetic, passionate and lonesome woman, the narrator's paternal grandmother is considered mad by her village for her passions and the ways she expresses them through words, and she goes for years unmarried because of this. Finally, she's married to a widower that momentarily lives with her family and then couple moves to the city of Cagliari. But even though the marriage is a respectful one and suits both partners, it is still lacking in the ardour she longs for. It is until she leaves for kidney stone treatment in Civitavecchia where she meets a disabled World War two veteran that she finds the passion she's long desired.
The writer's managed to do so much with such few pages, the possibilities she offers almost as the story ends and the ending itself was incredibly done.
The writer's managed to do so much with such few pages, the possibilities she offers almost as the story ends and the ending itself was incredibly done.
jenna0010's review
2.0
The premise of this book - a young woman parsing through the life of her grandmother - intrigued me. While there were parts that were beautifully written, the details of a life, of her loves, of her sorrow, the overall narrative didn't quite do it for me.
heleli's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
leah_152's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the idea of this book more than the actual story. I felt like I'd come in at the middle of the story & there was so much that could been explained better. Hopefully it's just a translation issue but I don't think I'll be keeping this one 💣💥
serenaac's review
4.0
From the Land of the Moon by Milena Agus, translated from the Italian by Ann Goldstein, is the story of a young unnamed woman’s grandmother just at the end of WWII in Italy after the 1943 American bombing of Cagliari. Despite the namelessness of the main characters, there are named secondary characters in the slim novel that provide it depth and the main characters some roots. The granddaughter is telling the story of her grandmother after her death, reminiscing about the growth and change in family.
The life of this family has seem good times and bad times, with some members experiencing greater hardships than others. The grandmother in particular has a number of suitors that fail to come back after several weeks due to rumors about her sanity. Her own family keeps her at arms length and often hidden from public view unless necessary. She’s the black sheep of the family, though from what we learn about her she has normal urges of a young woman and a desire for freedom. More than that, she’s got a creative mind and a penchant for writing.
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2012/10/from-the-land-of-the-moon-by-milena-agus-translated-by-ann-goldstein.html
The life of this family has seem good times and bad times, with some members experiencing greater hardships than others. The grandmother in particular has a number of suitors that fail to come back after several weeks due to rumors about her sanity. Her own family keeps her at arms length and often hidden from public view unless necessary. She’s the black sheep of the family, though from what we learn about her she has normal urges of a young woman and a desire for freedom. More than that, she’s got a creative mind and a penchant for writing.
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2012/10/from-the-land-of-the-moon-by-milena-agus-translated-by-ann-goldstein.html