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A review by ibeforem
The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
This book takes place during two timelines in the countryside outside of Florence, Italy.
The first timeline is 1943. Italy is in the throes of World War II, unfortunately aligned with the Germans as the Allies close in from the Mediterranean. The Rosati family are part of the nobility and are trying to get by on their estate while the two sons are off doing different jobs in the war. The Germans become very interested in their estate due to some Etruscan ruins that were found there, which leads to an unhappy entanglement between the family and the German officers.
Then, in 1955 we are following Serafina, a rare female detective in the Florence police department. She is trying to find out who is killing the Rosatis and cutting out their hearts, but uncovering this mystery may also lead to some of her own memories being uncovered that would be better left forgotten.
I've long been a fan of Chris Bohjalian, though it's been a while since I dug into one of his novels. I think he chooses situations and locations that haven't been trod over a million times. With as many World War II books that I've read, I've never read one that took place in Italy. It was really interesting to learn about the political situation there and how it affected not just the nobility but also the "regular" people. I also think he has a knack for descriptions that evoke a feeling. This passage in particular stuck out to me:
They had driven slowly past the dollhouse cutaways of stone and brick buildings, some of the rubble still sending dry mists of pollenlike dust into the air, as well as the charred husks of the wooden structures, the stout vertical timbers and chimneys blackened and smoking like candlewicks.
I figured out the mystery, but not so quickly that I felt like I was ahead of the game, and there were still some things that I was surprised by. I enjoyed this story and the way it was woven together.
The first timeline is 1943. Italy is in the throes of World War II, unfortunately aligned with the Germans as the Allies close in from the Mediterranean. The Rosati family are part of the nobility and are trying to get by on their estate while the two sons are off doing different jobs in the war. The Germans become very interested in their estate due to some Etruscan ruins that were found there, which leads to an unhappy entanglement between the family and the German officers.
Then, in 1955 we are following Serafina, a rare female detective in the Florence police department. She is trying to find out who is killing the Rosatis and cutting out their hearts, but uncovering this mystery may also lead to some of her own memories being uncovered that would be better left forgotten.
I've long been a fan of Chris Bohjalian, though it's been a while since I dug into one of his novels. I think he chooses situations and locations that haven't been trod over a million times. With as many World War II books that I've read, I've never read one that took place in Italy. It was really interesting to learn about the political situation there and how it affected not just the nobility but also the "regular" people. I also think he has a knack for descriptions that evoke a feeling. This passage in particular stuck out to me:
They had driven slowly past the dollhouse cutaways of stone and brick buildings, some of the rubble still sending dry mists of pollenlike dust into the air, as well as the charred husks of the wooden structures, the stout vertical timbers and chimneys blackened and smoking like candlewicks.
I figured out the mystery, but not so quickly that I felt like I was ahead of the game, and there were still some things that I was surprised by. I enjoyed this story and the way it was woven together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Murder
Moderate: Child death