ronanmcd's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not entirely certain of my feelings on the book. A beautifully written examination on love and bonds, what forms them and whether they can be chosen or placed upon a person, I just don't know how successful it is.
I never felt the figures, but in particular the main character Chiara, resolved their actions with their characters. She chooses to save a boy, but her need to live him becomes passive aggressive. But the writer neither pushes this to the front nor hides it. The strange nature of the relationship floats through the book, until the snap ending.
I never felt the figures, but in particular the main character Chiara, resolved their actions with their characters. She chooses to save a boy, but her need to live him becomes passive aggressive. But the writer neither pushes this to the front nor hides it. The strange nature of the relationship floats through the book, until the snap ending.
alyssagirardi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
limabue's review against another edition
3.0
Sadly, this had a realllllllly slow start. But I enjoyed it in the end :)
mlou88's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
stellarstar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Extremely well written, the author is an expert in delaying crucial information. However, it becomes a slight problem (especially during the first third of the book) when one has to reread passages in order to discover which period you are now. Relevant headings would be appreciated. First time I read a book about the 2nd world war from an Italian perspective.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
ismei's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.5
chrissireads's review against another edition
4.0
I thought it was an incredibly well written book which I devoured in next to no time.
I absolutely loved the beginning, where my heart was captured right from the start. It involves two women who have never come across each other before and a silent agreement. One of the women takes the others young boy. The book is set in 1943, where the Nazi’s were rounding up the Jews in Italy. Young Daniele Levi’s mother gives her son away in order to save them. He gives them to Chiara, a woman who is part of the resistance movement. I thought this book was going to be more about the Nazi/Jews but it really wasn’t. It was about a wonderful character.
The story continues and follows Daniele and Chiara’s life. Daniele is not an easy child. Firstly, he doesn’t speak and then in his teenage life he gives her a hard time. As an adult, Daniele struggles with drug addiction.
Chiara is a fantastic character and this story really is all about her life. We see her care for her ill sister and then experience her struggles with Daniele and the mess his drug addiction puts her in. It also involves a character called Maria, who finds out that Daniele is her biological father. Chiara and Maria connect whilst Maria tries to work out who she is.
This book surprised me. It gripped me from the start and made me feel for the characters. It’s a story about strength, identity, forgiveness and love. I couldn’t put it down!.
I absolutely loved the beginning, where my heart was captured right from the start. It involves two women who have never come across each other before and a silent agreement. One of the women takes the others young boy. The book is set in 1943, where the Nazi’s were rounding up the Jews in Italy. Young Daniele Levi’s mother gives her son away in order to save them. He gives them to Chiara, a woman who is part of the resistance movement. I thought this book was going to be more about the Nazi/Jews but it really wasn’t. It was about a wonderful character.
The story continues and follows Daniele and Chiara’s life. Daniele is not an easy child. Firstly, he doesn’t speak and then in his teenage life he gives her a hard time. As an adult, Daniele struggles with drug addiction.
Chiara is a fantastic character and this story really is all about her life. We see her care for her ill sister and then experience her struggles with Daniele and the mess his drug addiction puts her in. It also involves a character called Maria, who finds out that Daniele is her biological father. Chiara and Maria connect whilst Maria tries to work out who she is.
This book surprised me. It gripped me from the start and made me feel for the characters. It’s a story about strength, identity, forgiveness and love. I couldn’t put it down!.
lulaw's review against another edition
5.0
Early One Morning truly was, from start to finish, a delight to read. The story follows the lives of Chiara and Daniele, a woman and boy thrown together by chance during a time of great uncertainty. Set in 1943, the narrative unfolds under the cloud of Nazi occupation, as Chiara and Daniele must navigate the changing face of their native Rome and try to carve out a new identity for themselves amid the rubble of war. The most enchanting element of this novel was perhaps the unflinchingly honest and realistic depiction of characters and events, which gave the book a rich, human dimension. The multi-dimensional and complicated characters allow the reader to experience the narrative on a personal level, and the accomplished writing makes it hard to resurface. Not only is this a story of survival; it is also a tale of love and the quest for redemption. An absolute must-read for summer.
katesusko's review against another edition
4.0
The story of the main character, Chiara, was beautiful. I thought the book could have done less with the character of Maria, but overall this was such a touching book.
ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Extremely enjoyable, if that's the right word to use about a story dealing with the second world war, the holocaust, illegitimate children and drug abuse! I liked this very much, and I liked the characters - even when they were annoying, they felt very real. It's a moving story, and intriguing throughout.