In Nazi-occupied Italy, keeping secrets could be deadly.
Genoa, 1944:
Widowed and alone, Anna Pastorino has been surviving on her wits since the Germans invaded. The daughter of a prominent Jewish antifascist, Anna lives a hidden life in her small flat near the harbour ... until an RAF bomb destroys her only shelter. When a Jesuit priest approaches her offering help, she has no choice but to accept. She follows her new friend, Father Vittorio, to a safe house above a printers' shop in a quiet street near via Assarotti.
But the Tipografia Guichard is more than just a refuge. It's a forgery workshop: a key part of the secret rescue operation headed by Massimo Teglio, the "Scarlet Pimpernel" of Genoa's persecuted Jewish population. Drawn into a world of clandestine resistance, Anna discovers a new sense of purpose, a circle of friends, and a passion that brings her alive.
Soon, the little flat above the shop holds more secrets than anyone could imagine. As Anna grows closer to both Teglio and Vittorio, she must confront a past trauma of her own: a secret that might endanger her and everyone she loves.
What did I think?
Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and I am reminded why I love it when I read books like Daughter of Genoa. It's like stepping back through time as Kat Devereaux brings wartime Italy to life with her vivid writing and poignant plot.
Set in 1944, the story is told from two points of view: widow Anna and Jesuit priest Vittorio who are brought together as they shelter from an air raid. When Anna loses her home, Vittorio finds a safe haven for her and introduces her to the world of forging documents to keep the Jewish population safe.
It is so important to keep this dark period of history in people's minds in the hope that it will never be repeated. Although Auschwitz is prevalent in my mind when I think of the persecution of the Jews, it's only a small part of the big picture so it was interesting to read about events in a different setting.
Compelling, gripping and haunting, I couldn't put Daughter of Genoa down and read it in one sitting. I will definitely be looking out for more Kat Devereaux novels on the strength of this one. Very highly recommended.
I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
My rating:
Purchase link: https://amzn.eu/d/fYISSnd
About the author:
Kat Devereaux was born near Edinburgh, and lived in the United States, Russia, France, Chile, Germany, and the Czech Republic before finally settling in Italy. She is a writer and translator with a special focus on Italian literature.
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