The Night Falling

by Katherine Webb

The international bestselling author of THE LEGACY returns with a searing new novel of secrets and feuds, set in 1920s Italy.
Puglia, Italy, 1921.

Leandro returns home now a rich man with a glamorous American wife, determined to make his mark. But how did he get so wealthy - and what haunts his outwardly exuberant wife?

Boyd, quiet English architect, is hired to build Leandro's dreams. But why is he so afraid of Leandro, and what really happened between them years before, in New York?

Clare, Boyd's diffident wife, is summoned to Puglia with her stepson. At first desperate to leave, she soon finds a compelling reason to stay.

Ettore, starving, poor and grieving for his lost fianc?e, is too proud to ask his Uncle Leandro for help. Until events conspire to force his hand.

Tensions are high as poverty leads veterans of the Great War to the brink of rebellion. And under the burning sky, a reckless love and a violent enmity will bring brutal truths to light...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Italy, Drama, Mystery, Romance

432 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2014

About the author

I was born in Kent in 1977 and grew up in rural Hampshire before reading History at Durham University. History remains a passion, and I write character-led mystery dramas, often with historical settings. I love to explore the way past events can reverberate in the present, and I'm fascinated by the vast grey areas in human morality and behaviour.

My debut novel 'The Legacy' was voted viewers' choice for Best Summer Read on the Channel 4 TV Book Club in 2010, and was nominated for Best New Writer at the National Book Awards in the same year. Subsequently, 'The Unseen','A Half Forgotten Song' and 'The Misbegotten' were all Sunday Times Top Ten bestsellers, and my books have been translated into 24 languages around the world.

Reviews

[Kamilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book bored me to death. It was an excruciatingly slow read, with unlikeable characters and very slow developments. As much as Puglia's weatherbeaten landscape was brutal, so were the times, the lives of people living there. Even though I didn't know much about what happened in this area of the world during these times, because of the dry writing style I couldn't even develop a slight interest. I did struggle through it, more out of obligation than anything, as I did like previous books by Katherine Webb, but this one I just couldn't finish fast enough. I just wanted to get it over and done with.
I could not warm to any of the characters, I didn't like any of them. Okay, I liked Pino, he was kind and warm and just a good person - and I was crushed about what happened to him. But he was only a supporting character. The main characters of the story were all deplorable, sad and unlikeable.
The plot did thicken as we approached the end of the book, but it only got interesting towards the last 50-70 pages. All the rest was an excruciatingly slow build-up. Even the love story didn't come across as all consuming and nice and warm. It lacked magic and warmth. Maybe that was the whole point? To capture and show the lack of hope, the forlornness of the times and area? The harshness, the brutality, the poverty came through alright, but even the ending just flowed into place. There was no A-HA moment, no crescendo, no peak. Well, there was a peak where everything came to a halt, but there was no big bang. Just bleh. Slow simmering without ever truly boiling over.
There was nothing I liked about this book, I'm sorry to say. A waste of time it was. Pfff...

[Tripfiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novel set in Puglia, Italy (a relatively recent troubled past )

Leandro Cardetta, born into abject poverty in Puglia, has made a fortune in America and subsequently returned to his childhood home with a glamorous and rather spoilt wife, Marcie. There he sets about restoring a crumbling palazzo helped by well-known English architect, Boyd Kingsley, who brings with him his teenage son Pip and his second wife, the rather shy and retiring Clare.

Outside the comfort and comparative luxury of the palazzo, the men labour to cultivate the unyielding land under the blazing sun of southern Italy. Veterans of the Great War, they returned to their homeland with promises of some land and a living wage, but instead are faced with minimal wages and harsh overseers. The landowners feel under threat because of the rather futile socialist attempts to organise the workforce, and turn to the fascists for support with predictably violent consequences. Leandro’s nephew, Ettore, is one of these starving poor with the additional grief of mourning his fiancée who was brutally raped and died as a result of her injuries. Ettore is too proud to ask his rich uncle for help until an injury leaves him no choice; it is either turn to Leandro for help or see his sister and baby nephew starve. When Webb brings all these characters together under one roof, as she does at the beginning of the novel, you know it can’t end well.

In fact, the whole novel positively seethes with tension throughout. Webb’s depiction of the social and political atmosphere of the time is masterful. At times, it makes for an uncomfortable read, as she describes in graphic detail the hardships endured by the local workers and their families and the brutality of the punishments inflicted on the rebellious workers by the fascisti. Without any doubt, this is a gripping read. There are so many questions that need to be answered and so many characters who have things to hide. How did Cardetta make his money in America? What is the hold that he has over Boyd? Why is he so insistent that Clare and Pip stay in Italy despite the growing threat of violence? It would be a good enough read if it was just a thrilling story but it is also a very well written one, full of powerful description and imagery.

Puglia is a part of Italy I have always wanted to visit, without knowing much about it, other than that it is home to those charming looking whitewashed trullo houses which feature prominently in any tourist brochure. Katherine Webb’s novel, drawing heavily on real events, teaches you much about the area’s history and it feels as if it would be a very wise thing to have read up about the history before you visit. It is difficult to believe that such a relatively recent troubled past should not have left its scars in the landscape and in the mindset of its people and I, for one, will tread more respectfully when I do visit for having read this novel.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just love Katherine Webb books and eagerly awaited this. I found this an extremely laborious book and was loathe to pick it up at times. The only reason I continued was that I thought it would improve; sadly I was wrong.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I limped to the finishing line and turned the final page. Yes it's beautifully and descriptively written, as always, but I just felt that nothing really happened and that it didn't really get off the starting blocks for me.

It's told from the perspective of Ettore, a peasant in 1921 Gioia (Italy) and Clare who is visiting the more affluent area with her husband, Boyd, and 15 year old stepson, Pip.

Some of the content is based on actual events which took place in that year, with lots of bitter fighting and loss of life, which, at times, I was terribly bored with.

That's about the gist of the story and, as I say, I am pleased I have finished it.

Not my favourite book by a long way and it took me a long time to finish it. It did aid my insomnia on occasions as I fell asleep most nights whilst ploughing heroically onward with it.

This book is actually worthy of 2.5 stars but as I am so pleased I have actually finished it I decided to go up and mark it as a 3.

[Steffi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Puh, stellenweise war es wirklich eine Herausforderung dieses Buch weiterzulesen und zu beenden.
Die Geschichte an sich ist eigentlich auch interessant, aber ich fand es einfach zu langatmig und emotionslos erzählt.
Erst gegen Ende kam es etwa Tempo in die Handlung, einiges konnte mich noch überraschen, während ich andere Enthüllungen schon lange geahnt hatte. Insgesamt war alles aber zu erzwungen und einfach nur traurig und trostlos.

Dies war mein erstes Buch der Autorin, obwohl ich bereits einige auf dem Sub habe. Auch wenn dieses Buch nicht so ganz nach meinem Geschmack war, werde ich Katherine Webb mit ihren anderen Büchern noch eine Chance geben und hoffe, dass mir diese dann besser gefallen werden.

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Puglia, 1921. Leandro Cardetta, born into poverty, emigrated to America to make his fortune and has returned home to southern Italy a rich man, accompanied by his glamorous wife, Marcie, an ex-showgirl fighting middle age. Now Leandro has money enough to hire renowned English architect, Boyd Kinsgley, to renovate a crumbling palazzo into an Art Deco statement of wealth, and host Boyd's teenage son and his diffident young second wife, Clare, for one extraordinary summer.
Under the burning sky, beyond the luxury of Leandro's home, tensions are high. Veterans of the Great War are desperate for work and food. Among these is Ettore, Leandro's nephew. Gripped by grief at the loss of his fiancee, Ettore has sworn to identify Livia's killer, and take his revenge. He is too proud to go to his uncle for charity, but when he injures himself one day, he has no choice but to knock on Leandro's door. Meeting Clare there will change everything - and in the most violent way.
During the fierce summer of 1921, all these lives converge. Exactly how did Leandro grow rich in America, and what is the strange hold he has over Boyd? What happened to the first Mrs Kingsley, and what secret haunts the outwardly exuberant Marcie Cardetta? Hearts will be broken, blood will be spilt and the hardest of life's lessons will be learnt as shadows fall.

*3.5 stars*

This was a real mix of a story. Slow to get going but never really picked up any pace. It was a struggle, at times, to plough through and the story never really seemed to go anywhere.

However, the characters are splendid and the sense of place was very strong. I enjoyed this part of the book immensely.

But it is so hard to rate this any higher due to the plot never really going anywhere...


Paul
ARH

[Emma Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Night Falling is the fifth novel from Katherine Webb and once again she has delivered another stunning, spell bounding, absorbing novel that had me lost in the lives of Ettore and Clare from the very first page. I love how each of Katherine’s novels are all so different from each other and with this new release she takes us back in time to 1921 to Gioia del Colle in Southern Italy. Right from the opening line we feel the sense of unease, tension and suspicion that permeates this novel. The author is adept at getting deep into the hearts and minds of her characters and portrays their anguish, upset and raw emotions extremely well. The description of hunger in the first few pages was jaw dropping and made me stop and think how people in the world face this every day. I felt I was right there back in Italy at such a threatening, uneasy time as people are starving and struggling to exist despite the rich continuing on with their lives as if horrific suffering is literally not on their doorstep.

This novel is full of strong, courageous characters that will do anything to survive and beat the odds whilst wanting the best for their futures. Clare is spending the summer in Italy with her husband Boyd and stepson Pip at the invitation of Leandro Cardetta. Boyd is redesigning Leandro’s house and needs to be on site in order to complete the work. Clare believes she will spend a relaxing few weeks absorbing the sun and making new friends. But from the start she feels all is not well, Leandro appears to have some sort of hold over Boyd and when she is sent to the country residence of the Cardetta’s she feels like she is being removed from the picture. As the novel progresses her unease just builds and builds. The whole set up just seems sinister and strange to her, she feels no connection to Leandro’s American wife Marcie yet Pip seems to have fallen under her spell and they spent endless hours together attempting to put together a show to perform.

Ettore is the total opposite to the Cardetta’s , a peasant returned from the trenches of The Great War like many others he is struggling to exist and keep his family going. Men returning from the war were promised land to farm for themselves but those were empty promises and now Ettore goes to the town square looking for work every morning. Yes work is sometimes available but the conditions and pay are appalling and when an accident occurs and he is unable to work Ettore is faced with the tough decision to turn to his uncle Leandro for help. This is not easy for Ettore as his pride and past humiliations stand in his way but he knows without help his sister Paola (a strong, fearless woman who does her best to acquire food for her family through any means possible) father Valerio and nephew Iacopo will go hungry and face the streets. Ettore is a tormented man haunted by the death six months previously of his fiancée Livia who was brutally attacked as she walked home, he is determined to find her killer and avenge her unjust death.

There was a dip in the middle where I felt not much happened as Clare just seemed to spend endless hours walking in the sunshine to get away from everything or what she suspected may have been going on. I felt the sun was contributing to how the characters were feeling and the conditions only added to the distrust and tension constantly simmering until it was built up and built up and finally exploded. But then the story really picked up again and I was eagerly turning the pages to reach the gut wrenching fantastic finale. Of course there is romance in the story and it was entirely believable as sometimes in novels I feel the romance element is just thrown in to bring the story along a bit. In this case it worked perfectly alongside the ongoing revolution attempted by the peasants to acquire what they were due and deserved. There are plenty of twists and turns in the story of the Cardetta’s and Clare but the author’s writing is so skillful I never would have seen the ending coming although I felt it was fitting after becoming so embroiled in the characters’ lives.

We have all learned about the fascists in history lessons in school but I felt I only ever had brief understanding of what was really happening but this book has certainly made me more aware of what was going on at the time. I liked how Katherine focused in on a small area in Italy and showed what suffering existed and how the people tried to overcome although their methods may not always have been peaceful and had devastating consequences.

There is so much to talk about in this novel but I feel people should just rush out and buy this book as you will acquire a whole new appreciation for the wonderful writing of Katherine Webb.

This is a powerful, excellent, enthralling novel that I won’t forget in a hurry. Little did I think I would find a contender for my book of the year at this late stage but Katherine Webb has told such a heart breaking, emotional story in such a skilled and consummate way that The Night Falling needs to be read by everyone. Katherine Webb please step forward and take your well-deserved applause this book was just an amazing read.

[Ursula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book really laborious to read. It did improve towards the end with a slightly unexpected ending but it doesn't make me want to read any more of her books

[Brina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ich habe zuvor noch nie ein Buch von Katherine Webb gelesen und war dementsprechend neugierig, ob mich die hochgelobte Autorin mit ihrem neuesten Werk “Italienische Nächte” aus dem Diana Verlag begeistern kann. Leider sollte es jedoch einfach nicht sein, denn ich habe mich immer wieder dabei erwischt, wie ich mal hier und mal da ein paar Seiten vorgeblättert habe und mit der Geschichte einfach nicht auf einen Nenner kam und mich mit den Figuren nicht anfreunden konnte.

Dabei muss gesagt werden, dass die Autorin an sich sehr viele Ideen hatte, die Geschichte sehr lebhaft geschrieben ist und auch die Figuren einen ganz netten Eindruck gemacht haben, doch leider hat mir das gewisse Etwas gefehlt, um mich tatsächlich an dieses Buch zu binden, sodass ich es leider nach etwas mehr als der Hälfte abgebrochen habe.

Ich denke aber, dass viele Leser, besonders Fans von Italien und der zwanziger Jahre, an der Geschichte sehr großen Spaß haben dürften, denn die Landschaften werden hierbei sehr ausführlich und malerisch beschrieben. Ich finde es sehr schade, dass es zwischen Katherine Webb und mir im ersten Anlauf nicht geklappt habe, dennoch möchte ich der Autorin irgendwann noch einmal eine Chance geben – vielleicht haben wir dann mehr Glück miteinander.

[Bettina_kPunkt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es hatte auf mich keine fesselnde Wirkung. Ich hatte nicht wirklich das Verlangen zu erfahren, wie es weiter geht.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posted originally http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2014...

The Night Falling is a little different to the kind of books I normally read but I had no reservations – I’d heard wonderful things about Katherine Webb’s writing and I couldn’t wait to start reading it for myself. This book was truly incredible. In what should have taken me probably a good few chapters to get to grips with, considering I’ve not really read much about poverty or war before, Katherine Webb had me entranced within the first couple of pages. The level of detail and description to kick off this novel was beautiful and powerful and every page to follow was emotional and heart-wrenching. It was so stunning and I really did not expect to fall for this novel as much as I did but it was such an impacting read. I put down this book more times than I do most novels but only because I needed to take it in and appreciate what I was reading more, and in the hope that the more times I put it down, the longer I could delay it coming to an end. The Night Falling had me spellbound.

Set in 1921 Italy, the novel focuses on the perspective of two main characters, Clare and Ettore. Ettore is a peasant, returning from the war. Faced with an injury, he has to begrudgingly turn to his uncle Leandro for his support and this is where he meets Clare and her stepson Pip. Clare is battling her own issues, as her marriage to Boyd is under scrutiny, to say the least. But we also learn about Ettore’s plans to avenge the death of his fiancée, Livia, and with this see that each character has their own spectacular story. Although this book is separated into Clare and Ettore’s chapters, the author creates and develops many more characters than that and Katherine’s writing of characters is insanely good. There were no real outright likeable characters – each had their good and bad traits – and I loved the way the author built up every single character to the extent that nothing was black or white. It wasn’t so simple as having characters that would do no wrong and characters that would do everything wrong and this made it much more entertaining attempting to figure out their motives, whether they were being honest or not and the role they were playing in the at times extraordinary turn in events. The characters, just like the setting, the descriptions and in fact the entire novel, were vivid and felt very realistic. The way the author manages to bring out the emotions in every single character was amazing to read because you can connect with them, even though what they are doing might disgust you or confuse you, you feel for them and need to know how things will work out.

The Night Falling was completely captivating and the author’s style of writing told me that all the great things I’ve heard about her are true! Her portrayal of the poverty and the contrast between the wealthy and the poor was stunning and I was fascinated by how she conveyed every feeling and judgement and all the tension that came with the divide. We’re shown how living in those times could change even the most innocent of characters and I was completely absorbed seeing the impact on each character and the changes in them that occurred over the space of the novel. There is so much to this book that meant there was plenty to be uncovered and I was hooked with all the secrets and deceit. Though the writing could be brilliantly dramatic, and I loved it for that, a lot of the twists were hinted at and then took me by surprise and the unpredictability kept me in suspense right up until the final page. This book had everything – it could be horrifically violent at times, passionate at others and ultimately breath-taking throughout. The ending, as much as I didn’t want it to come, was a great way to finish what was a fantastic book and oh how I must get my hands on Katherine Webb’s other books now because The Night Falling was just perfect.


*Book received for honest review.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will write this review as I am reading this book, rather than write a summary at the end. My thanks to Goodreads giveaways for my copy.

The book opens with a series of chapters written from the perspective of Clare and Ettore who clearly are two of the central characters in this novel which is set mainly in the South East corner of rural Italy in 1921. The opening descriptive scenes provide an insight into the lives of people from different social backgrounds in this poverty stricken part of Italy during the period following the Great War.

Inevitably this style of review creates a lot of questions:

Is everything going well for Clare?
She is the second wife of Boyd who lost his first wife in tragic circumstances.
Can Clare really be a replacement for Pip's real mum, Emma , Boyd's first wife?

Ettore lost Livia , his fiancée and love of his life in tragic circumstances. What actually happened and why is Ettore determined to get revenge?

There are some flashbacks to earlier times, I like the way these are still written in the present tense. In a way this helps to add to the tension. Ettore & Pino, his best friend obviously suffer some sort of distasteful experience at the hands of Ludo Manzo, an overseer?

Clare seems to have reasons to doubt her decision to persuade Boyd to return to New York. Is this the key to his current work in Puglia as an architect for Leandro Cardetta?

How much does Marcie know of her husband's past in America and how does this fit in with the link between Boyd & Leandro?

Is everything about Federico Manzo, son of Ludo as innocent as it may appear?

Another interesting twist is the proliferation of activity towards political opponents by the embryonic fascist movement. For me, as a fan of historical fiction, this proves to be a real strength of this book. It provides an insight into an aspect of European history between the two wars, which I had not been aware of before.

As the story develops, deterioration in relationships becomes the key issue. Relationships between whom?

How far back does the tension between the peasant community and the landowners in the Puglia region go and how will it be resolved when the new tension of the growing fascist movement is added to the mix?

Does everything go smoothly when he takes Boyd takes up the challenge of redesigning the town house for Cardetta?

What will happen to things between Clare, Pip & Boyd: Who can they trust when they don't always seem to trust each other?

Suffice to say that without risking any spoilers, all I can really say is that the pace of the story continues to build until right to the end. I would certainly recommend people to add this to their list of books to read!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, this book very nearly made the couldn't make myself finish it category. The odd choice to use present tense in a historical novel, first of all, was very strange, and there was something lacking in the way the story began. Perhaps it was urgency, perhaps magic. I came to this book expecting to be swept in straight away, and instead, I found myself pushing through the first eighty pages and fighting the urge to put the book down. Yet I persevered, and I was rewarded by this skilled pulling together of some very separate narrative threads. The characters were beautifully realised-- I particularly liked Leandro, and the relationship between Pip and Clare. I also started off hating, but ended up loving the political aspect of the novel, particularly when I learned a lot of it was based in fact. Would I read Katherine Webb again? Absolutely. Do I recommend that you read this novel? Well, that's up to you. Think of a slightly more politicised Nicky Pellegrino novel. Allow yourself to become immersed and perhaps you'll rush to the end as I did. I only wish I'd had that impulse from the start.

[Sharon V · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed with this Katherine Webb book. Having really enjoyed her previous books this really wasn't up to the same standard. Beautifully written, great start and gripping finish but honestly the middle is just slow and quite boring.

[Vanessa Pätzold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wieder einmal eine wunderschöne Geschichte von Katherine Webb - ich liebe ihre Bücher und habe so auch dieses hier verschlungen, und geweint.

[Didka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Не е моя тип книга.

[skattkatten_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Först och främst en kärlekshistoria men även en berättelse om det brutala livet för bönderna i södra Italien på 1920-talet när fascismen börjar få fäste.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's 1921, a few years after the Great War. Clare Kingsley isn't happy when she and Pip have to join her husband, Boyd, in Italy. Clare is Boyd's second wife and Pip isn't officially her son, but their bond is very strong. Boyd is an architect and he is in Gioia in Puglia to design a building for Leandro Cardetta. Leandro is a rich and dangerous businessman who has made his fortune in America. Together with his wife Marcie he's returned to his homeland.

Even though Leandro's home is luxurious Clare isn't happy at all that she and Pip are in Gioia. There's so much tension between the rich and the poor. There are so many men who are looking for low paid jobs where they have to slave away in poor conditions just to put some food on the table. They're always hungry and when there's no work they don't have anything to eat. Leandro's nephew Ettore is one of these workmen. After an accident he has to stay with Leandro, but he doesn't want to have anything to do with his uncle and doesn't want his money. At home there are people who need to eat, so he reluctantly agrees to work for Leandro for a while. He's grieving because his beautiful fiancé was murdered and he wants to avenge her death. Meeting Clare changes him, but unfortunately she has no power to get him out of the situation he's in.

There's something going on between Leandro and Boyd. Clare wants to know how Leandro became such a rich man and why he's chosen Boyd to design his building. There are too many secrets and she sure about one thing, she and Pip aren't safe. They can't return to England, so they're forced to live with Leandro and Marcie for the entire summer. It's going to be a summer that will change everyone forever.

The Night Falling is a beautiful story about impossible love, war, secrets and the differences between rich and poor. It's a long story that requires some time and peace and quiet to read. I never wanted it to end and I fell in love with this book immediately. The setting is perfect, I could picture the isolated Italian countryside where there's nothing to do very well. Clare often goes for a walk, because she wants to escape the oppressive atmosphere at home. It was amazing to see her grow and to watch her bravery. Ettore is such a wonderful man, but he's stuck in a life that's hard and difficult. So many of the people he loved have died and it never stops. Clare is from another world and even though she doesn't know this hard life she understands him very well.

I can't express enough how much I enjoyed reading this book. The writing's beautiful and every sentence is right. So much is happening and the author has managed to make me feel the tension, the atmosphere is oppressive and it's inevitable that something really bad is going to happen. The finale's really good and unexpected, I liked it a lot. I highly recommend this book, it's one of the best stories I've ever read.

[Hazel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads

The Night Falling by Katherine Webb is a historical novel with a romantic theme. The story is told from the perspective of two people: Clare, a middle class wife from England, and Ettore, a poor Italian "peasant". Set in Puglia in the summer of 1921, the two characters meet when Clare and her step-son, Pip, are forced to accompany Boyd to Italy where he is going to be working for Leandro, Ettore's uncle.

Clare and Ettore's relationship become more involved as they try to avoid their complicated feelings surrounding their other family members. Not only do they have their personal issues, there is antagonism between the rich and the poor. The so called "peasants" with their lack of food and jobs are fed up with the way they are treated by the rich authorities. Strikes have been unsuccessful so their only other plan is an uprising.

As well as the hostile environment story line there are many secrets that begin to be uncovered. Obviously Clare is keeping Ettore secret from her husband but she is unaware of the secrets and dangers he harbours.

It was interesting to see the contrast between the two classes of characters. Unlike England where the lines are slightly blurred between upper, middle and lower classes, Italy in the 1920s the differences were very clear cut.

In all honesty I did not think much of this book. I found it hard to get into and it did not get any easier as it progressed. Although I understand the storyline I found it a little bit boring and took me a while to get through.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tale based on alternating chapters between the two lead characters – Clare and Ettore – and is set mainly in the South East corner of rural Italy in 1921. There is such an array of strong characters in this tale that you will be pleasantly surprised. They will do, and have to do, so much just to survive, with each individual convinced that their path is the right one.

“This is not Britain, Mrs Kingsley; this is not even Italy. This is Puglia”.

Three and a half stars from me. Full review at:

http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Italy in the 1920s, this story gives insight into the lives of peasants and the farm owners and overseers. It is a hard struggle and often brutal.
Leandro was once a peasant, but now he is rich from earnings in America and returns to his homeland. I was never sure what his motives were, Leandro's full story is only revealed at the end of the story.
Into this mix comes an architect and his family with their own secrets.
I enjoyed the story and the ending was quite unexpected, and did fit in with the story and the snippets of the past given to us throughout the story.

[Helen Carolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful read. much darker than her previous novels, this book explores what happens to two people when their marriage is based on lies and secrets. summer 1921, clare travels to Italy to spend the summer with her husband Boyd. over the course of a hot and violent summer their marriage comes apart as they learn some shocking truths about each other. my favourite book by this author so far.

[Okidoki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personporträtten är inte psykologiskt trovärdiga. Jag får ingen känsla för miljön. Berättelsen blir alltmer utdragen och tråkig. Det hela mynnar ut i ett löjeväckande melodrama. Skönt att det är över.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spännande historia om en grupp människor i skuggan av den framväxande fascismen i södra Italien. Väldigt dramatisk och spännande upplösning.

[Майя Ставитская · Rating 3 out of 5]

Баллада о ш̶т̶о̶п̶а̶н̶о̶м стиранном презервативе
– А богатые ненавидят бедных?
– Нет. Не так, как здесь. Чаще всего богатые о них просто не думают, иногда жалеют или презирают… но не ненавидят. И люди не делятся только на богатых и бедных, они могут быть и посередине.
Первая из прочитанных у Кэтрин Уэбб книг, где действие линейно (обычно развивается параллельно в двух временных пластах), в пределах одного исторического периода и первая, с которой я скучала. Время действия 1921 год, место - юг Италии, каблук, Апулия. Землевладельцы живут в комфорте, роскоши и достатке, крестьяне по соседству умирают с голоду.

Это не фигура речи, голодная смерть, особенно в засушливый неурожайный год, становится реальностью. А жестокая, выматывающая поденная работа под палящим солнцем - норма. И ее еще нужно исхитриться получить, для чего вставать приходится в четыре часа утра. Об условиях жизни страшно и говорить: скученность, антисанитария, смрад от немытых тел и "душистого" следа, что тянется за повозкой золотаря, затемно объезжающей деревню. Не сможешь работать - сдохни.

Поверить в реальность такого сложно, но когда много читаешь, постоянно сталкиваешься с подобного рода зарисовками из жизни ныне благополучных, сытых, сверкающих чистотой европейских стран. В отличие от России, не бывших объектом социального эксперимента. Что вселяет надежду, может и у нас все наладится. Но к роману. К англичанину архитектору, нанятому итальянским парвеню, разбогатевшим в Америке, приезжают жена и сын. Клэр двадцать девять и она не мать пятнадцатилетнему Филиппу (домашнее имя Пип, салют, "Большие надежды"). Но воспитывает мальчика с пяти лет и всем сердцем любит его.

Что не мешает ей мечтать о своем ребенке, однако муж упорно пользуется при соитии презервативом. Д-да, тогда они были многоразовыми, и вот эта деталь, к стыду моему, показалась более всего заслуживающей внимания. Впрочем, почему мне должно быть неловко? Если роман скучен, пусть автор стыдится. На самом деле, обычно Уэбб интересно пишет, не в этот раз. Или может просто книга не моя.

Но к сюжету, в замке, кроме супруга и отца, находятся хозяин Орландо, тот самый нувориш, с супругой Марч, нью-йоркской актрисой. Разумеется, куча обслуги, хотя ее в расчет не берем. Туда же попадает поранивший ногу на работах крестьянин Этторе. Как выясняется, племянник Орландо, которому тот не раз предлагал постоянную работу у себя, но гордость не позволяет парню согласиться. Ага, он предпочитает гнить заживо в своем клоповнике и наблюдать, как сестра Паола колотится рыбой об лед, пытаясь добыть пропитание и прокормить младенца. Паолу бросил муж - уехал на заработки в Америку, как в свое время Орландо, и с концами.

Кэтрин Уэбб тема социальных контрастов всегда превосходно удается, но здесь, воля ваша, до идиотизма доходит. Чувство собственного достоинства героя, столь щепетильное, не протестует при мысли о рабском труде за гроши в скотских условиях, который еще неизвестно, достанется ли? Нужно ли говорить, что между героями вспыхнет страсть и что последствия ее, как обычно бывает при мезальянсе, будут катастрофическими?

Что к финалу распахнутся многие шкафы и скелеты из них спляшут данс-макабр. Что развяжутся многие узлы, а которые не развязываются, будут перерублены. Что любовь бывает долгою, а жизнь еще длинней. что у женщины, в отличие от мужчины, есть великое преимущество репродуктивной функции.

[Kristin Fägerskjöld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personligen tycker jag inte detta är den bästa av Katherine Webbs böcker. Precis innan jag läste den här läste jag "Den engelska flickan" som jag tycker är mycket bättre. Det är någonting som inte riktigt får mig att falla för huvudpersonerna. Jag tycker det under en lång tid av historien inte känns som om Clare har något syfte/mål, och jag blir märkligt oengagerad i det som händer. Vissa saker tycker jag också bara hoppar på en väldigt snabbt, utan att det är riktigt trovärdigt (som t ex det här att Clare och Ettore inleder sitt förhållande - det gick blixtsnabbt trots att jag tycker att en engelsk dam i den här tidsålder borde varit mer emot att ge sig in i ett förhållande om hon redan är gift). Boken är upplagd med ett kapitel om Clare, sedan ett om Ettore. That's fine. Vad som stör mig är att kapitlen inte tar upp tråden där det andra slutade. Om vi säger såhär, att det slutar med en knivig situation för Ettore, så börjar inte Clares kapitel med det, utan tidigare, så att Ettores slutsituation kanske är mittpunkten i Clares kapitel. Det får mig att "gå vilse" i tiden flera gånger. Jag frågar mig "men har detta inte redan hänt än?" osv. Men som vanligt är Webbs research mycket imponerande och jag älskar ju historiska romaner, så det är ingen dålig bok. Hade bara önskat lite mer av själva hantverket och i hur den presenteras för oss läsare. Skulle ge den 3,5 stjärnor men man kan bara sätta hela - och då blir det 3.

[tinalouisereadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clare Kinksley goes with her stepson Pip to stay at the home of Leandro Cardetta, while her husband Boyd is hired to renovate a palazzo. Set in 1921, Italy there is a lot of unrest between the land owners and the workers and Clare very quickly gets involved, perhaps too involved with one worker, Ettore.

I always look forward to books by Katherine Webb so couldn't wait to read this one. For me it isn't her best. Like all her other books there are lots of stories within a story which unfold.

Set in a time that I know very little about and it seems that research has gone into that period. I have to be honest that this period in time is perhaps not what I would normally read about.

The story was ok and I enjoyed the biggest part. I did find the book overlong and I think I was reading it in the end just to see how it was going to end. A lot happened in one go at the end and all the secrets came out and all loose ends tied up.

Not my favourite by Katherine Webb but will read her books in the future.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didnt think I would enjoy this book based on the tag line and the cover but am happy to say I was proven wrong. I am not a fan of a love story but this is more than that, it combines history, politics and a murder mystery within the love story. I've seen from others reviews that many found it to be dull, I disagree completely. I loved the time the author took to set the scene. I found the descriptions allowed me to really create a picture in my mind of the setting and get a real sense of the injustice. For me the story is made by the political history not so much the love story... Although I have to say I did warm to this and shed a tear by the end (this is very unlike me).
This was close to a 5 star read for me, the only reason it wasn't is because of parts of the love story plot which I found somewhat unbelievable. That said I loved the history and found this book really absorbing.

[Oda · Rating 1 out of 5]

It may be a good thing for an author to be able to write varied stories, but I'm wondering if Katherine Webb may have multiple personalities. This sucked. The last book I read by her swept the ground away from under my feet, this made me angry for the time wasted. Most of the book is just waiting and waiting and waiting, the reader and characters both doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING while just waiting for some forewarned but vague catastrophe. And when it finally arrives after all that waiting, it doesn't really make me feel anything. It's over in a heartbeat. Leaving one wondering, "was this what I forced myself to read on for? THIS?"

It also says a lot about this book that the only person I ended up liking was Leandro. Oh, and Pino. Pino deserved better.

[Bookworm Ava · Rating 2 out of 5]

I seem to have picked another book that I really struggled to finish. Similarly to other reviews none of the characters felt alive to me. I can’t recall if I’ve read another book by this writer previously but I’m unsure if I will want to again. Initially I felt this tale reminded me of The Lacuna (Kingsolver) but fails to have the energy of a robust tale, a beauty even amongst despair with the momentum that holds one’s attention of having immersed oneself in the era and environment of a well spun tale Kingsolver’s novel has that sadly Webb could not do it for me but I’m sure other readers will want to read after all we all have different tastes.
I felt only relief when I finished this book!

[Amber Fritz-Hewer]

A very enjoyable book - presenting an area and a time period with which I am not at all familiar. I found myself wrapped up in the emotions of the characters to a level I had not expected. Interesting ending as well.

It does bother me that the cover image doesn't match the story - the author makes a point of stating the two main women have blond hair, so it isn't clear who exactly this dark-haired elegant woman on the cover is meant to be.

I am not sure that it ever became clear to me where the title fits in to the story. Not that it was relevant for my enjoyment - I read basically the entire thing in one day and didn't even realise the title until just now!