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paigesreadingcorner's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bethedwards's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
elami24's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
henrymarlene's review against another edition
3.0
From 1936 to 1953, 'Echoes of War follows Giulia from adolescence to woman, living in Southern Italy. Her life is intertwined with the lead up to WW2, and her desire to be an independent woman. The book follows the struggles of Giulia wanting to be her own person at a time when "papa knew best". She was stripped of her rights (so progressive for the time and place in history) and fought again and again to make her mark. She lived through an arranged marriage and being a widow to finding love with someone who was willing to be an equal in her life and let her excel in her own career. Initially I thought this was going to be much more historically focused but I found that the author cleverly blended what was happening in Italy and the world, pre World War 2, with the daily goings-on in the village and in Giulia's family. A lot of research and family history forms the basis of this book, which contributes to its more factual facades than a rose coloured view of the war and women in that time period. It was rather a quaint and wholesome read.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the e-ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the e-ARC.
wychwoodnz's review against another edition
3.0
A full third of this book takes place prior to the impending war becoming a major focus, so if you would appreciate a gentle tale of rural Italian life in the 1930s along with the slightly less peaceful story of the impact of war upon it then this book would be a great choice. It’s very evocative of the time and place and makes an interesting read.
There were a few aspects that surprised me (nuns being so keen to keep abreast of international political news being one), and the dialogue felt a little unlikely in places. I also think I would have enjoyed this more if the story had ended sooner in its timeline, with the final stages spun off into a sequel – I completely understand the urge to include those later stages given the real-life inspiration, but the pacing in the final 20% or so of the book felt off to me. That section would have made a great standalone story to be explored.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for the ARC.
There were a few aspects that surprised me (nuns being so keen to keep abreast of international political news being one), and the dialogue felt a little unlikely in places. I also think I would have enjoyed this more if the story had ended sooner in its timeline, with the final stages spun off into a sequel – I completely understand the urge to include those later stages given the real-life inspiration, but the pacing in the final 20% or so of the book felt off to me. That section would have made a great standalone story to be explored.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for the ARC.
jax036's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the chance to review this book early.
A snapshot at life in Calabria, Italy during the conflicts and wars leading up to and during World War II.
Following Guilia, a girl insistent on bucking the traditional life of getting married and settling down with children, she decides she would prefer to follow in the footsteps of her Nonna and become a healer.
Personally, I found that a lot of the novel read more like a textbook on what life was like at the time than a historical fiction novel and there were large periods were Guilia's conflicts with the people around her were grating.
I understand that the traditional ways would have been difficult for a lot of girls at the time, but the constant stubborness and rehashing of old arguments made the book longer than required for me.
I did enjoy learning about the struggles between the north and south of Italy, and the hardships that families were forced to endure through this period of time, not only through war, but natural disasters.
Not a book that I would choose to re-read but I am happy to have read it and glad that others are enjoying it.
You can tell that Tania Blanchard has taken a lot of time and care to research the period and that love of her family has fuelled this novel.
A snapshot at life in Calabria, Italy during the conflicts and wars leading up to and during World War II.
Following Guilia, a girl insistent on bucking the traditional life of getting married and settling down with children, she decides she would prefer to follow in the footsteps of her Nonna and become a healer.
Personally, I found that a lot of the novel read more like a textbook on what life was like at the time than a historical fiction novel and there were large periods were Guilia's conflicts with the people around her were grating.
I understand that the traditional ways would have been difficult for a lot of girls at the time, but the constant stubborness and rehashing of old arguments made the book longer than required for me.
I did enjoy learning about the struggles between the north and south of Italy, and the hardships that families were forced to endure through this period of time, not only through war, but natural disasters.
Not a book that I would choose to re-read but I am happy to have read it and glad that others are enjoying it.
You can tell that Tania Blanchard has taken a lot of time and care to research the period and that love of her family has fuelled this novel.
amrawinter's review
5.0
What a beautiful novel. Echoes of War tells the story of Giulia, a strong and independent young woman striving to follow her dreams and pursue her dreams regardless of the cultural pressures holing her back. A fierce, yet beautiful story of how juggling passion, love and familial duties can be balanced in a world full of love and war.
whats_amelia_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Echoes of War follows the life of Giulia, a young woman living in a farming village in Calabria, Italy, from 1936 to the early 50s. She struggles between her love for her close-knit family and her dreams to follow in her nonna's footsteps to become a healer and help those who need it all over Italy and beyond. This book details Mussolini's Italy, the patriarchal society and WWII, creating an incredibly vivid image of what life may have been like during this time.
In the author's note, Tania Blanchard mentions that the story was inspired by her grandparents, and I think it is a beautiful tribute to them.
What drew me to the story in the first place was the fact it was set in Calabria, where my nonna was from. My nonna migrated to Australia during WWII with the help of a sponsor. I didn't ask her a lot about her life in Italy when she was alive, but the few things I do know about are written in this book. Now I'm wishing I asked her more about her life.
I really loved this book. It is about more than just WWII. It's a story about love, ambition, compassion, heartbreak, and dreams. I love the way it's written, the fact it explores so much about the time period and is clearly very well researched.
Echoes of War follows the life of Giulia, a young woman living in a farming village in Calabria, Italy, from 1936 to the early 50s. She struggles between her love for her close-knit family and her dreams to follow in her nonna's footsteps to become a healer and help those who need it all over Italy and beyond. This book details Mussolini's Italy, the patriarchal society and WWII, creating an incredibly vivid image of what life may have been like during this time.
In the author's note, Tania Blanchard mentions that the story was inspired by her grandparents, and I think it is a beautiful tribute to them.
What drew me to the story in the first place was the fact it was set in Calabria, where my nonna was from. My nonna migrated to Australia during WWII with the help of a sponsor. I didn't ask her a lot about her life in Italy when she was alive, but the few things I do know about are written in this book. Now I'm wishing I asked her more about her life.
I really loved this book. It is about more than just WWII. It's a story about love, ambition, compassion, heartbreak, and dreams. I love the way it's written, the fact it explores so much about the time period and is clearly very well researched.
theloveofwordss's review
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
teresabattersby's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Book 11. This follows the life of a young woman from 1936-1945 with an epilogue in 1953, in southern Italy. The challenges she faces to follow her dreams in a male dominated society, then wartime wth Italy fighting with the Germans to fighting against them. The poverty and struggles with facism, corruption in the government and the mafia, leading to immigration. I suspect there will be a sequel, as she writes about one side of her family’s history, while in The Girl from Munich, she writes about the other side of her family. Neither were keen on the Nazis. A very easy, enjoyable read. I started it yesterday. 🤓📚 #tsreadinglist2023 #tsrecommendations