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lilays43's review
emotional
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
4.0
nobookendinsight's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
trudyd's review
5.0
The Italian Ballerina takes the reader through the war years in Italy. The reader is guided through the story when Delany Coleman returns a suitcase to Italy after the death of her grandfather, Courtenay Coleman. He never talked about his time during the war. His family knew nothing of the suitcase until they were contacted about the suitcase. The owner was ready for it to be returned. What else could Delaney do but go and check out the story and just maybe discover something about her grandfather.
The reader is honored to go on the journey of discovery with Delaney. She finds herself; as she finds a part of her grandfather in Italy. Calla, the little girl saved by her grandfather, is now at the end of her days. She is finally ready to share her story. She is finally ready to share the story of her second family, the ones that saved her.
The reader gets glimpses of WW2 through two army medics, AJ and Court. As medics wearing Red Cross Bands, they were not allowed to get involved. But when Court witnessed the atrocities in the Jewish Ghetto in Italy, he couldn't not get involved. He couldn't ignore the little girl left standing in the road. Disobeying orders, and not for the first time, Court saved the little girl holding a tiny suitcase. Saving the girl and getting injured was not the plan.
Some would say God was on Court's side. Others would say the conscience of the Italian Resistance saved them. It was the brilliance of doctors that kept jews safe in a hospital swarming with Nazis that kept Court, AJ and Calla alive. They ended up at the hospital that was so much more. The resistance works in mysterious ways. Save havens can be found if you look, and sometimes when you least expect them.
Within the walls of the church and hospital is Julia Bradbury, hiding in plain sight. As a member of the Royal Ballet, she had been manipulated to tour Europe. Her dancing partner, Anton always seemed to get his way. He would be their downfall. Julia refused to crumble, making the decision to help the father and doctors in any possible.
Court may have rescued the little girl, soon to be called Calla. Julia kept her alive. Julia brought her out of her broken shell. The connected through dance. Julia, prima ballerina, and a little girl at the beginning of her lessons.
The reader is honored to go on the journey of discovery with Delaney. She finds herself; as she finds a part of her grandfather in Italy. Calla, the little girl saved by her grandfather, is now at the end of her days. She is finally ready to share her story. She is finally ready to share the story of her second family, the ones that saved her.
The reader gets glimpses of WW2 through two army medics, AJ and Court. As medics wearing Red Cross Bands, they were not allowed to get involved. But when Court witnessed the atrocities in the Jewish Ghetto in Italy, he couldn't not get involved. He couldn't ignore the little girl left standing in the road. Disobeying orders, and not for the first time, Court saved the little girl holding a tiny suitcase. Saving the girl and getting injured was not the plan.
Some would say God was on Court's side. Others would say the conscience of the Italian Resistance saved them. It was the brilliance of doctors that kept jews safe in a hospital swarming with Nazis that kept Court, AJ and Calla alive. They ended up at the hospital that was so much more. The resistance works in mysterious ways. Save havens can be found if you look, and sometimes when you least expect them.
Within the walls of the church and hospital is Julia Bradbury, hiding in plain sight. As a member of the Royal Ballet, she had been manipulated to tour Europe. Her dancing partner, Anton always seemed to get his way. He would be their downfall. Julia refused to crumble, making the decision to help the father and doctors in any possible.
Court may have rescued the little girl, soon to be called Calla. Julia kept her alive. Julia brought her out of her broken shell. The connected through dance. Julia, prima ballerina, and a little girl at the beginning of her lessons.
bluepuppybites's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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? Yes
3.5
dawnyamk's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.5
melissa10's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.25
izzy_435's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
4.0
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
this book is written from different view points--as Kristy Cambron does very well.
We have the contemporary story--with Delaney and Matteo.
We have the pre-war Court and Penn story--1941.
We have the during the war Court story--1944
We have the pre-Rome ballerina with Julia--1941
And the IN ROME ballerina with Julia --1944.
And they are all woven together...But I never suspected it wasn't going to end the way I hoped. that was very well done. Because it's NOT always happy ever after.
I appreciated the mentioning of how the German troops were given upper drugs to make them unstoppable during the invasions. That's something not mentioned very often. I was fascinated by this Syndrome K--how clever and how daring. What amazing people to risk their lives to save even ONE life of a Jewish citizen. And how DISGUSTING to think of the trauma thousands of children had as the ghetto scene played out all over Europe. We can't ever forget the atrocities man is capable of. This book touched on it--but also showed how the humanity of a few was able to defeat the inhumanity of many.
A solid novel from an excellent author.
We have the contemporary story--with Delaney and Matteo.
We have the pre-war Court and Penn story--1941.
We have the during the war Court story--1944
We have the pre-Rome ballerina with Julia--1941
And the IN ROME ballerina with Julia --1944.
And they are all woven together...But I never suspected it wasn't going to end the way I hoped. that was very well done. Because it's NOT always happy ever after.
I appreciated the mentioning of how the German troops were given upper drugs to make them unstoppable during the invasions. That's something not mentioned very often. I was fascinated by this Syndrome K--how clever and how daring. What amazing people to risk their lives to save even ONE life of a Jewish citizen. And how DISGUSTING to think of the trauma thousands of children had as the ghetto scene played out all over Europe. We can't ever forget the atrocities man is capable of. This book touched on it--but also showed how the humanity of a few was able to defeat the inhumanity of many.
A solid novel from an excellent author.