‘Fiction interwoven by historical facts’ Review by Claire

‘4/5 stars

Agh! A very late review! Today is / was my spot on the blog tour for The Tears of Monterini by Amanda Weinberg @amandaweinbergauthor

Book Synopsis🔸

Monterini, Italy. 1921. Yacobo Levi, an intellectual dreamer, works in the family bookshop. Angelo Ghione, a contadino, makes good wine by singing to the grapes. Lifetime best friends, their Jewish and Catholic families live side by side amidst a backdrop of village communal life, Etruscan tales and the growth of Benito Mussolini. Born on the same day, their children grow up and fall in love. When the 1938 racial laws are passed, the love between Bella and Rico thrives amidst and perhaps because of the fear and uncertainty. When Angelo discovers their liaison he suggests they marry but life is complicated and tensions simmer beneath the surface of love and friendship. When war is declared on the day of Bella's wedding to Michele a fellow Jew, the peaceful village they live in is torn apart, and the Levis find themselves displaced and fighting for their lives. Will life ever be the same again?

My Thoughts 💭

This was a beautifully written debut novel and I actually felt I was there in Monterini, with the sun on my skin reading this.

Fiction interwoven by historical facts, set in the time of Mussolini's fascist leadership.

War, betrayal, heartache, conflict, determination, grief, love and friendship - All the emotions; all written about in a sensitive and beautiful way.

A lovely read and one I would highly recommend, especially if you are a lover of historical fiction.

Thank you to @reddoorbooks for my #gifted copy of the book.’

Read the original review on Goodreads.