A promise keeps them apart until WW2 threatens to destroy their love forever
Fonzaso Italy, between two wars.
Nina Argenta doesn’t want the traditional life of a rural Italian woman. The daughter of a strong-willed midwife, she is determined to define her own destiny. But when her brother emigrates to America, she promises her mother to never leave.
When childhood friend Pietro Pante briefly returns to their mountain town, passion between them ignites while Mussolini forces political tensions to rise. Just as their romance deepens, Pietro must leave again for work in the coal mines of America. Nina is torn between joining him and her commitment to Italy and her mother.
As Mussolini’s fascists throw the country into chaos and Hitler’s Nazis terrorise their town, each day becomes a struggle to survive greater atrocities. A future with Pietro seems impossible when they lose contact and Nina’s dreams of a life together are threatened by Nazi occupation and an enemy she must face alone…
A gripping historical fiction novel, based on a true story and heartbreaking real events.
Spanning over two decades, Under the Light of the Italian Moon is an epic, emotional and triumphant tale of one woman’s incredible resilience during the rise of fascism and Italy’s collapse into WWII.
My Review
When I read the blurb, I immediately agreed to read this book. The word ‘intriguing’ was an understatement. When I saw the cover, I fell in love. I eagerly sat down to read this book the minute I received my copy.
Nina is a wonderful character, and one can easily become enthralled in her life. The story tells of her life growing up, from a young child to having her own children, her own house, and a husband living in America. Nina’s living so far from her husband comes with its problems, for while it brings in more money than he would earn working in Italy, he is so very far away from her and when they see each other, they have to get to know each other again after being apart for so long.
The way events have been woven into this novel has to be commended. The Second World War is obviously going to affect the story, but things such as the Wall Street Crash also make their way in and affect people thus.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite live up to my expectations, although I did set those expectations impossibly high, so it may be my own fault. At times, I felt myself growing a little bored, for the majority of this book is simply the day-to-day life of Nina and her family. The situation in which Nina finds herself changes with the events in the world, with WWII starting and developing, but I found myself waiting for a climax that never came. Nevertheless, I greatly enjoyed reading this book, and Nina is a character who is easy to find yourself caring for and hoping that she will end up in a better situation.
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Jennifer Anton
Jennifer Anton is an American/Italian dual citizen born in Joliet, Illinois and now lives between London and Lake Como, Italy. A proud advocate for women's rights and equality, she hopes to rescue women's stories from history, starting with her Italian family.
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