Echoes of War
Tania Blanchard
Reviewed by Helen
This is a beautifully told story set in Calabria, Italy starting in 1936 where we meet a young Giulia Tallariti and move through life with her and her family as she grows to a woman and we share what she goes through during some very hard times Mussolini’s rein, World War 11 and the aftermath of war, this story pulled me in with the descriptions of the setting and life.
Giulia lives in a small village amongst the mountains and close to the Ionian Sea with her parents Andrea and Gabriella, her sisters Teresa and Paola and brothers Vincenzo and Antonio, she dreams of being a healer like her Nonna but her father has other ideas, these were the days of arranged marriages and Giulia is determined to not have that happen to her, after a stand-off with her father Giulia is sent to a monastery to learn the art of being a healer under a famous herbalist, here Giulia learns more than being a good healer and makes true friends. It is not long before Giulia is being pushed again by her father on her return home.
Family life on the farm is not always easy especially as they are ruled by a fascist government and when family members her father Andrea and brother Vincenzo are called up to fight for Italy, this leaves the females of the family to run the farm and Paola does this really well the woman stand together and strong as they do what has to be done.
When World War 11 erupts throughout Europe and Italy is fighting with the Nazis people are torn with what is right, there are tragedies that devastate the family but still the woman keep going with what has to be done and Giulia stands tall and proud as she continues to help people.
I loved this story from page one, I have read many stories set in World War 11 and most have been set around Paris so being in Italy and seeing it from the Italians’ point of view was fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable, getting to know Giulia and seeing her grow in strength and find love through such hard times was fabulous. I found this story heart-wrenching at times and yes there tears from me, I couldn’t help but cheer Giulia on throughout her journey from Italy 1936 to Australia 1953.
To think that this story come from a photo of Tania Blanchard’s grandfather was awesome, this is one that I would highly recommend the history and settings of the times were just wonderful, but above all it shows the courage and strength that the woman showed when times were tough.
My thanks to Netgelly and the publisher for my copy to read and review
Giulia lives in a small village amongst the mountains and close to the Ionian Sea with her parents Andrea and Gabriella, her sisters Teresa and Paola and brothers Vincenzo and Antonio, she dreams of being a healer like her Nonna but her father has other ideas, these were the days of arranged marriages and Giulia is determined to not have that happen to her, after a stand-off with her father Giulia is sent to a monastery to learn the art of being a healer under a famous herbalist, here Giulia learns more than being a good healer and makes true friends. It is not long before Giulia is being pushed again by her father on her return home.
Family life on the farm is not always easy especially as they are ruled by a fascist government and when family members her father Andrea and brother Vincenzo are called up to fight for Italy, this leaves the females of the family to run the farm and Paola does this really well the woman stand together and strong as they do what has to be done.
When World War 11 erupts throughout Europe and Italy is fighting with the Nazis people are torn with what is right, there are tragedies that devastate the family but still the woman keep going with what has to be done and Giulia stands tall and proud as she continues to help people.
I loved this story from page one, I have read many stories set in World War 11 and most have been set around Paris so being in Italy and seeing it from the Italians’ point of view was fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable, getting to know Giulia and seeing her grow in strength and find love through such hard times was fabulous. I found this story heart-wrenching at times and yes there tears from me, I couldn’t help but cheer Giulia on throughout her journey from Italy 1936 to Australia 1953.
To think that this story come from a photo of Tania Blanchard’s grandfather was awesome, this is one that I would highly recommend the history and settings of the times were just wonderful, but above all it shows the courage and strength that the woman showed when times were tough.
My thanks to Netgelly and the publisher for my copy to read and review
5 stars
Expected publication: September 29th 2021 by Simon Schuster Australia
