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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This was a good story. Poignant. Educational for me regarding the 1930s Italian fascist era. I really liked the characters. The author was descriptive and did a good job of showing the personalities of everyone. Might read again. Thank you to HarperCollins for the galley copy of this new translation via a Goodreads giveaway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
The story follows friends that are very different, in fascist Italy in the late 1930s. Salvioni's writing style is easy to follow, perfect for casual reading sessions. The plot moves along swiftly, keeping readers engaged with its twists and turns.
However, the character development could be more robust, especially for the supporting characters, who sometimes feel flat.
Thank you, Netgalley and HarperVia, for the ARC!
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sono un po’ severo nella valutazione, ma ricordo di aver letto questo libro da adolescente. Mi sono sentito molto a disagio e molto disturbato. Avrei dovuto abbandonarlo ma non l’ho fatto, cosa di cui mi pento. Il ricordo di questo libro mi perseguita ancora oggi.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
Este libro habla de la amistad y también de dar los primeros pasos en la adolescencia.
A Maddalena la llaman "La Malnacida" porque dicen que es una bruja y que atrae a la mala suerte. Sobre si vida corren rumores de todo tipo y la gente se aparta de su camino cuando se la cruza. Esto no es impedimento para que Francesca se acerque a ella atraída por su insolencia y sus ansias de libertad. Dos pre adolescentes de diferentes clases sociales que van a crear una relación de amistad preciosa contra todo y contra todos, por encima del que dirán y de las apariencias.
El telón de fondo es la Italia de Mussolini y el fascismo y sus consecuencias impregnan todo el libro.
Me ha gustado muchísimo pese a que es un libro intenso y algo durillo. Imposible no querer acompañar a estas dos niñas en todas sus travesuras y sufrir con ellas y las circunstancias tan duras que tienen que vivir.
A Maddalena la llaman "La Malnacida" porque dicen que es una bruja y que atrae a la mala suerte. Sobre si vida corren rumores de todo tipo y la gente se aparta de su camino cuando se la cruza. Esto no es impedimento para que Francesca se acerque a ella atraída por su insolencia y sus ansias de libertad. Dos pre adolescentes de diferentes clases sociales que van a crear una relación de amistad preciosa contra todo y contra todos, por encima del que dirán y de las apariencias.
El telón de fondo es la Italia de Mussolini y el fascismo y sus consecuencias impregnan todo el libro.
Me ha gustado muchísimo pese a que es un libro intenso y algo durillo. Imposible no querer acompañar a estas dos niñas en todas sus travesuras y sufrir con ellas y las circunstancias tan duras que tienen que vivir.
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Salvioni’s story deals with friendship between girls, growing up together and becoming independent from one’s family. The book takes place in Italy during the 1930s. It works well as a casual description of the time. It is also a great story about growing up. The narration has a feminist quality to it and feels fresh.
What comes to the characters, I was genuinely moved by how Maddalena learned to trust others as time passed. Francesca’s emansipation also felt realistic. Even if the child narrator sometimes seemed quite grown up. It is hard to say if the translation affected it.
The end felt a little bit extra overall, but I really appreciate the theme. And in its entirety the book was great.
I saw some reviews comparing this to Ferrante—and who knows (not me) and does it even matter. I think this is a really captivating story and description of the 1930s and living under fascism.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes