A good, quick escapism historical fiction read with fantastic characters – meet Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra.
The plot:
Italy, 1937. In a tiny village in rural Lombardy, Graziella Ponti is born into a loving family.
Though they are not rich and life is full of challenges, they are content and safe, surrounded by the tightly-knit community of Pieve Santa Clara.
But when the shadow of World War Two falls across the village with the arrival of Nazi soldiers, nothing in young Graziella’s life will ever be the same again.
Paradiso is Graziella’s story. It charts her loves, losses and triumphs as she grows up in post-war Italy, a country in transformation, freed from the shackles of dictatorship yet still gripped by the restraints of the Catholic church.
Paradiso is inspired by true stories told to Francesca Scanacapra by her Italian family and set in locations where she spent much of her childhood.
A fantastic, albeit sometimes hard-hitting reading experience
Paradiso is quite a short read (218 pages), but the author completely envelopes you in the character’s lives. I adored every character we came across here, all for their own reasons (although some you’re glad to turn the page on!). Incredibly well-built, and Graziella (the protagonist) jumps out from the page and as if she’s in the room with you.
The writing is stunning, and it takes a true talent to leave the reader emotional, whether laughing along or hitting in the feels, in a short period of time. I read this in one-sitting, so I got completely attached to everyone I came across – and wishing I was in Italy!
It explores relationships, families and the aftermath of the war. It’s compelling, whilst leaving you wanting more.
The backdrop of Italy and a small town, laced with the knowledge of true stories told to the author by her family makes for a fantastic, albeit sometimes hard-hitting reading experience.
This is a 3/ borderline 4-star read for me, although I am excited for the next book, Return to Paradiso. I would have preferred the two parts blended into one, longer read.
Paradiso, Francesca Scanacapra, RRP £9.99 (paperback); Amazon
Pages: 218
Publisher: Silvertail Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Gifted in exchange for an honest review
