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A review by sassypantsreading
Our Darkest Night: A Novel of Italy and the Second World War by Jennifer Robson
5.0
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I really enjoyed Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson. I don’t think I’ve cried that much while reading in quite a while! Our Darkest Night is told from the perspective of Antonina “Nina” Mazin Gerardi, a Jewish woman from Venice. As the German threat increases, Nina’s father makes arrangements for Nina to be hidden, by posing as Niccolo “Nico” Gerardi’s wife. The first part of the book spends a good amount of time on Nina acclimating to farm life from the city, and the large, loving Gerardi family. Nico, who at one point was in seminary, was aiding various refugees to safety. The German official in Mezzo Ciel, Karl Swerger, was a former seminary classmate of Nico’s, and an all-around bully. He eventually figures out the truth and both Nina and Nico are arrested, though separately. The second half of the book describes the harrowing time Nina spent as a prisoner in various camps.
During the first part of the book, there wasn’t too much action, and so I got comfortable, assuming it would be a tale about provincial life during World War II, and the ways people found to survive. Enter the second half of the book - it was so deep, so emotional, and so very raw, I couldn’t bear to put it down. The hopelessness that Robson depicts is so realistic, I was feeling the hopelessness right along with Nina. The twist at the end will definitely pull at your heartstrings.
Overall, I’m very glad I read this book. Sometimes historical fiction, especially WWII fiction, can get bogged down with unrealistic situations. Our Darkest Night is truly fantastic fiction, and I would highly recommend it to all readers.
During the first part of the book, there wasn’t too much action, and so I got comfortable, assuming it would be a tale about provincial life during World War II, and the ways people found to survive. Enter the second half of the book - it was so deep, so emotional, and so very raw, I couldn’t bear to put it down. The hopelessness that Robson depicts is so realistic, I was feeling the hopelessness right along with Nina. The twist at the end will definitely pull at your heartstrings.
Overall, I’m very glad I read this book. Sometimes historical fiction, especially WWII fiction, can get bogged down with unrealistic situations. Our Darkest Night is truly fantastic fiction, and I would highly recommend it to all readers.