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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
I'm a big Jennifer Robson fan and again, I'm not disappointed. This book had me hooked. I loved it and I'll probably read it again. Jennifer Robson usually has happy endings and I really figured this one was not going to have a happy ending...the twists were good and she had me tricked. I've read a lot of World War II books and I thought the question on her website was good: There seems to be a lot of these books the past few years. Why are they so popular? .....great question for book club! I read it in just two days....two work days....so I did find it quite compelling and hard to put down.
I generally enjoyed this, but it suffered from one of my personal pet peeves about WWII fiction — fairly unrealistic outcomes. I’m pretty sure that, realistically, AT LEAST Nico and probably Nina wouldn’t have survived. Yes, it’s possible they could have survived, but this felt too rosy to me.
I love Jennifer Robson's books so I was extremely excited to get to read Our Darkest Night in advance thanks to NetGalley.
This novel was an appreciated deviation from the typical WWII/Holocaust literature as it is set in Italy rather than France, Germany, or other occupied territory. Robson's books are always rich in detail and her characters charming. It's difficult not to like Nico and his family. Especially Carlo. I would move mountains for Carlo. And, of course, our protagonist Nina immediately endeared herself to me with her love of learning and her devotion to her parents. She proved to be a strong and capable character, much like Robson's other heroines. I felt genuine joy, terror, and hope for her as the narrative progressed. I really enjoyed immersing myself in the world of 1940s Occupied Italy. While I didn't find the writing as strong as Robson's other novels, I couldn't pull myself away from the book.
What I really loved and appreciated was the connection to the experience of her husband's Italian family that Robson discusses in her Author's Note. I love that she chose to set her WWII novel in their world. Overall, this is a strong 3.5 rounded up to a 4 because I always love a story that pulls me in right until the end. While I didn't like this novel as much as I enjoyed her WWI trilogy, Our Darkest Night is a great distraction nonetheless. I will definitely return to it in the future.
This novel was an appreciated deviation from the typical WWII/Holocaust literature as it is set in Italy rather than France, Germany, or other occupied territory. Robson's books are always rich in detail and her characters charming. It's difficult not to like Nico and his family. Especially Carlo. I would move mountains for Carlo. And, of course, our protagonist Nina immediately endeared herself to me with her love of learning and her devotion to her parents. She proved to be a strong and capable character, much like Robson's other heroines. I felt genuine joy, terror, and hope for her as the narrative progressed. I really enjoyed immersing myself in the world of 1940s Occupied Italy. While I didn't find the writing as strong as Robson's other novels, I couldn't pull myself away from the book.
What I really loved and appreciated was the connection to the experience of her husband's Italian family that Robson discusses in her Author's Note. I love that she chose to set her WWII novel in their world. Overall, this is a strong 3.5 rounded up to a 4 because I always love a story that pulls me in right until the end. While I didn't like this novel as much as I enjoyed her WWI trilogy, Our Darkest Night is a great distraction nonetheless. I will definitely return to it in the future.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
In the autumn of 1943, with the Nazi occupation tightening its grip on Italy, the Mazin family, particularly young Antonina, faces increasing danger as Jews. Faced with the looming threat of imprisonment and deportation, Antonina, or Nina, decides to leave Venice and seek refuge in the countryside with Nico Gerardi, a man she has just met.
Nico, who had been on the path to priesthood, left the seminary to manage his family's farm. Driven by a sense of justice, he is determined to protect innocent lives from the brutality of the fascists and Nazis. To escape detection, Nina poses as Nico's new bride, and they must convince those around them that their love is genuine.
However, farm life proves challenging for Nina, who dreams of following in her father's footsteps as a doctor. The local community, unfamiliar with this cultured city girl, eyes her warily. To complicate matters, a Nazi official harboring a vendetta against Nico intensifies the threat. As Nina and Nico navigate the complexities of their charade, their feelings deepen, transforming their relationship into something more profound. Yet, the shadow of imminent separation looms larger with each passing day.
Nico and Nina were so good together in this book! They had the love and understanding that people can only hope to see and feel in their life. I also really loved how Robson did not make the characters infallible, people are not perfect.
Nico, who had been on the path to priesthood, left the seminary to manage his family's farm. Driven by a sense of justice, he is determined to protect innocent lives from the brutality of the fascists and Nazis. To escape detection, Nina poses as Nico's new bride, and they must convince those around them that their love is genuine.
However, farm life proves challenging for Nina, who dreams of following in her father's footsteps as a doctor. The local community, unfamiliar with this cultured city girl, eyes her warily. To complicate matters, a Nazi official harboring a vendetta against Nico intensifies the threat. As Nina and Nico navigate the complexities of their charade, their feelings deepen, transforming their relationship into something more profound. Yet, the shadow of imminent separation looms larger with each passing day.
Nico and Nina were so good together in this book! They had the love and understanding that people can only hope to see and feel in their life. I also really loved how Robson did not make the characters infallible, people are not perfect.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Started off slow, but it was a happy ending and a good, emotional story.