Reviews

I Give It to You by Valerie Martin

candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition

5.0

set in Italy. Through a friend, Jan rents a place at a Tuscan villa for a summer, which is owned by an Italian academic who teaches in upstate New York There, she becomes friends with Beatrice, and that friendship will last for decades. Beatrice answers Jan's questions and tells her stories of her family and the villa, especially during WWII. The stories are fascinating. "You like that story?" Beatrice asks. "I give it to you."

Valerie Martin is a very well established novelist and "I Give It to You" is the assured and masterful result of that experience. Yet the book is very fresh, and surprising, filled with delights, alarms, and revelations.

I love the way the end creeps up on you and leaves you (and Jan) in shock, But. then, you realize everything that has gone before, and you shouldn't be surprised.

An excellent novel. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for access to this title.

~~Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader

thecheesestandsalone's review

challenging informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

annarella's review

5.0

I really enjoyed this story and I strongly recommend it.
The storytelling is excellent, the characters are fleshed out and interesting, the historical background is realistic and vivid.
I loved how well the author wrote her characters and their story.
It's an excellent read and I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

otterlybookish's review

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

sophiepmeeks's review

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

menestrelle's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

sonderiism's review

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

aabn2424's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

venus__heartbreak's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The beginning of this book was tedious and long only describing the days of the main character but after about 100 pages i was captured into the life of these characters and whisked away by their flaws. This book is the intense family gossip and complexities i need.

susannes_pagesofcrime's review against another edition

3.0

There were segments of this book that I enjoyed and others not so much.
I am writing this review about three weeks after finishing the book and to be honest it hasn't left that much of an impression on me.