Reviews

I’m stunned this is from 1952–it obviously is of a specific historical time yet feels completely modern and (for better and worse) relevant. Loved this

ariannam's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

vivacissimx's review against another edition

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challenging 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

4.0

What I understand after some reflection is that Valeria burning the journal in the end is, unlike the sacrifice she makes for her son Ricardo (leaving her job—which is a necessity for her family yet also empowering in certain ways, she is involved in an emotional affair with her boss—in order to rear the oopsie baby he's going to have with his traditional not-yet-wife Marina), a positive action she undertakes for the sake her daughter Mirella but also what Mirella represents & believes in re: a new age for women, working, throwing off a restrictive sexuality (to fulfilling ends or not). The diary is one legacy wherein Valeria grapples with the old/new ideas in post-war Italy & skirts becoming a subject of said discussions herself, while the diary-less Valeria who becomes a MIL as she had is a woman excluding herself from said discussions so as to send Mirella "who still can" into the new world full-force... with as little as possible on her shoulders. It's a bittersweet act but it is, in effect, 'choosing a side,' though not the one it may seem on it's surface.

stlake's review against another edition

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5.0

A woman just living her life and telling honestly about it? In postwar Italy? Literary? Yeah that’s the perfect novel.

This book captures just how enmeshed poverty is with one’s personality. Very realistic and empathetic read.

im_a_toothfairy's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

It’s good, but not my cup of tea. I think I would have perfered it as a short story, just I did find it quite sad to read.

fancycatknits's review against another edition

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5.0

A snapshot of a specific time and place, yet timeless.

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