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The Liberation
'Fabulous' Lesley PearseThe Liberation is set in Italy in 1945 as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated country and Italy’s population fights to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate – her father is dead, her mother has disappeared and her brother is being drawn towards danger. One morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, Caterina is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her own life and in doing so forges a future in which she must clear her father's name. An Allied Army officer accuses him of treason and Caterina discovers a plot against her family. Who can she trust and who is the real enemy now? And will the secrets of the past be her downfall? This epic novel is an unforgettably powerful story of love, loss and the long shadow of war.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2016
159 people are currently reading
1609 people want to read
About the author
Kate Furnivall
22 books1,000 followersKate Furnivall was raised in Penarth, a small seaside town in Wales. Her mother, whose own childhood was spent in Russia, China and India, discovered at an early age that the world around us is so volatile, that the only things of true value are those inside your head and your heart. These values Kate explores in The Russian Concubine.
Kate went to London University where she studied English and from there she went into publishing, writing material for a series of books on the canals of Britain. Then into advertising where she met her future husband, Norman. She travelled widely, giving her an insight into how different cultures function which was to prove invaluable when writing The Russian Concubine.
It was when her mother died in 2000 that Kate decided to write a book inspired by her mother's story. The Russian Concubine contains fictional characters and events, but Kate made use of the extraordinary situation that was her mother's childhood experience - that of two White Russian refugees, a mother and daughter, stuck without money or papers in an International Settlement in China.
Kate went to London University where she studied English and from there she went into publishing, writing material for a series of books on the canals of Britain. Then into advertising where she met her future husband, Norman. She travelled widely, giving her an insight into how different cultures function which was to prove invaluable when writing The Russian Concubine.
It was when her mother died in 2000 that Kate decided to write a book inspired by her mother's story. The Russian Concubine contains fictional characters and events, but Kate made use of the extraordinary situation that was her mother's childhood experience - that of two White Russian refugees, a mother and daughter, stuck without money or papers in an International Settlement in China.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
October 22, 2017
2.5 stars :(
I was actually really enjoying the first half of this book. So much so that I would get lost in the story. I was very certain I was going to give it a good rating but I started losing interest in the latter half.
This was a post war novel based in Italy, 1945, where Caterina Lombardi lived with her blind grandfather and younger brother. She carved wooden music boxes and sold them so that she could put food on the table. Her father was killed in an explosion two years before and her had mother ran away with another man (her father's friend to be precise!) when she was just 10 years old. When Caterina met an Allied Officer, he accused her father of treason, of collaborating with the wrong people. But she refused to believe anything because she thought of her father as an honourable and trustworthy man. Yet the more she delved into the matter, the more Caterina started doubting things.
What I liked was that Kate Furnivall was very descriptive in her writing, portraying the devastating effects of the war. There was severe hunger and poverty that at times I felt so overwhelmed and uncomfortable by the circumstances of the people. They ate cats and dogs off the streets because there was scarcely any food. Women sold themselves to soldiers to feed their starving families. Children had completely lost their innocence. They became orphans and turned into street rats. Destruction of families, homes, and rubble everywhere. I really felt the misery and helplessness of these people. It was heartbreaking to think that this is a depiction of reality. That people must have truly lived or currently live like this in war zone countries.
On the other hand, I wasn't always fond of Caterina even though she was shown to be a brave and strong-willed person. It was evident how much she loved her grandfather and brother, but to protect them she did things that were uncalled for; thus putting herself and them in a lot of danger.
The romance in this novel didn't really feel realistic and believable to me either. Aside from dealing with the problem at hand, there wasn't any other real interaction between the two main characters in the beginning. It was like one minute they were trying to find out the truth and the next they were really into each other. I didn't feel any sparks. And I couldn't connect to any of these characters because they just felt two dimensional.
Even with all the big reveals I literally had no emotions when I was reading the ending. I had figured out one of the bad guys from miles away. He seemed to be everywhere and was always too nice. On the whole, this just fell really flat for me even though it had a good start.
I was actually really enjoying the first half of this book. So much so that I would get lost in the story. I was very certain I was going to give it a good rating but I started losing interest in the latter half.
This was a post war novel based in Italy, 1945, where Caterina Lombardi lived with her blind grandfather and younger brother. She carved wooden music boxes and sold them so that she could put food on the table. Her father was killed in an explosion two years before and her had mother ran away with another man (her father's friend to be precise!) when she was just 10 years old. When Caterina met an Allied Officer, he accused her father of treason, of collaborating with the wrong people. But she refused to believe anything because she thought of her father as an honourable and trustworthy man. Yet the more she delved into the matter, the more Caterina started doubting things.
What I liked was that Kate Furnivall was very descriptive in her writing, portraying the devastating effects of the war. There was severe hunger and poverty that at times I felt so overwhelmed and uncomfortable by the circumstances of the people. They ate cats and dogs off the streets because there was scarcely any food. Women sold themselves to soldiers to feed their starving families. Children had completely lost their innocence. They became orphans and turned into street rats. Destruction of families, homes, and rubble everywhere. I really felt the misery and helplessness of these people. It was heartbreaking to think that this is a depiction of reality. That people must have truly lived or currently live like this in war zone countries.
On the other hand, I wasn't always fond of Caterina even though she was shown to be a brave and strong-willed person. It was evident how much she loved her grandfather and brother, but to protect them she did things that were uncalled for; thus putting herself and them in a lot of danger.
The romance in this novel didn't really feel realistic and believable to me either. Aside from dealing with the problem at hand, there wasn't any other real interaction between the two main characters in the beginning. It was like one minute they were trying to find out the truth and the next they were really into each other. I didn't feel any sparks. And I couldn't connect to any of these characters because they just felt two dimensional.
Even with all the big reveals I literally had no emotions when I was reading the ending. I had figured out one of the bad guys from miles away. He seemed to be everywhere and was always too nice. On the whole, this just fell really flat for me even though it had a good start.
September 6, 2017
The book cover is just beautiful. It was the first thing that attracted me to this historical fictional novel.
Then there was the blurp which promised intrigue, suspense, mystery, and action. The latter being of a different kind than normally expected. A serious touch of sleuthing was added to a brilliant, multilayered plot.
- Post war Italy, the efforts of a nation to to stand up again and face the future with the help of American troupes;
- the broken relationships;
- revenge and honor killings;
- the love of family;
- the fight for survival in a destroyed city;
- the role of mothers;
- fraud and corruption.
Young orphans roamed the street, looting, robbing and even killing to survive the cruelty of their surroundings. The circumstances for everyone was dire. No food, no money, no jobs for any adults either. Nothing was left that made sense. People with access to the country's art made more killings for themselves than they did for the war effort. Greed reigned and fear of an uncertain future made criminals out of once respected citizens.
I loved this book. It belongs in more genres than just historical fiction. It can be added to the murder mystery, as well as action-packed thriller genres, and the tale was vivid and gripping enough to keep me committed to it for more than 500 pages. Emotional investment was unavoidable.
One of those unexpected, beautiful gems. It rips the heart out, but in the end there was hope and optimism.
RECOMMENDED
Then there was the blurp which promised intrigue, suspense, mystery, and action. The latter being of a different kind than normally expected. A serious touch of sleuthing was added to a brilliant, multilayered plot.
THE BLURBMain layers in the book:
Italy, 1945: as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated cities, its population fights each other to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate - her mother has abandoned them already and her brother is being drawn into the mafia. Early one morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, she is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her family and in doing so forges a future very different to the one she expected. But will the secrets of her family's past be her downfall? This epic novel is an unforgettably powerful story of love, loss and the long shadow of war.
- Post war Italy, the efforts of a nation to to stand up again and face the future with the help of American troupes;
- the broken relationships;
- revenge and honor killings;
- the love of family;
- the fight for survival in a destroyed city;
- the role of mothers;
- fraud and corruption.
Young orphans roamed the street, looting, robbing and even killing to survive the cruelty of their surroundings. The circumstances for everyone was dire. No food, no money, no jobs for any adults either. Nothing was left that made sense. People with access to the country's art made more killings for themselves than they did for the war effort. Greed reigned and fear of an uncertain future made criminals out of once respected citizens.
I loved this book. It belongs in more genres than just historical fiction. It can be added to the murder mystery, as well as action-packed thriller genres, and the tale was vivid and gripping enough to keep me committed to it for more than 500 pages. Emotional investment was unavoidable.
One of those unexpected, beautiful gems. It rips the heart out, but in the end there was hope and optimism.
RECOMMENDED
October 30, 2016
4.5★s
When Caterina Lombardi was only ten years old and her brother Luca was just a baby, their mother abandoned them. She deserted her husband and two children for another man, fleeing for the lights and money of Rome. Now, eleven years later and Caterina was twenty one; Luca eleven. It was 1945 and the war was over; the British and American soldiers were trying to help the locals bring some order back to their lives in Naples and surrounding towns. Caterina lived with her brother and their grandfather in Sorrento, in the home their mother and father had once occupied – their father had been killed during the war when his workshop had been bombed; their grandfather was blind.
The unexpected intrusion into their lives by two of the soldiers was a shock to Caterina. But it was to get much worse. As Caterina found herself in a fight for her life and her freedom, the discovery of secrets in her family’s past had her in denial. She refused to believe what was being said was fact. Her determination to discover the truth would put her and Luca in danger; the violence was out on the street – would she be safe? Would she find the answers she sought and find peace?
The Liberation by Kate Furnivall is an epic tale of love, loss and retribution. Heartbreaking and filled with sorrow, it is also a story of loyalty, trust and hope. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel which is set after the war, and shows a different side to the effects that war has on a nation. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
When Caterina Lombardi was only ten years old and her brother Luca was just a baby, their mother abandoned them. She deserted her husband and two children for another man, fleeing for the lights and money of Rome. Now, eleven years later and Caterina was twenty one; Luca eleven. It was 1945 and the war was over; the British and American soldiers were trying to help the locals bring some order back to their lives in Naples and surrounding towns. Caterina lived with her brother and their grandfather in Sorrento, in the home their mother and father had once occupied – their father had been killed during the war when his workshop had been bombed; their grandfather was blind.
The unexpected intrusion into their lives by two of the soldiers was a shock to Caterina. But it was to get much worse. As Caterina found herself in a fight for her life and her freedom, the discovery of secrets in her family’s past had her in denial. She refused to believe what was being said was fact. Her determination to discover the truth would put her and Luca in danger; the violence was out on the street – would she be safe? Would she find the answers she sought and find peace?
The Liberation by Kate Furnivall is an epic tale of love, loss and retribution. Heartbreaking and filled with sorrow, it is also a story of loyalty, trust and hope. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel which is set after the war, and shows a different side to the effects that war has on a nation. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
December 31, 2025
Kate Furnivall is an author who is quite familiar to me. I devoured Furnivall’s series of books set in Russia, she has a real knack for bringing to life places and specific time periods from the past. It has been awhile since I have read a book written by Kate Furnivall, so I was excited about the prospect of reading Furnivall’s latest release, The Liberation.
The Liberation effortlessly transports the reader back to post war Italy. In 1945, Caterina Lombardi is a young woman among countless Italians fighting to survive. The reader quickly learns that Caterina is fiercely protective of her family and will do anything to ensure that their safety is secured. After losing her Father two years ago, Caterina has continued the family trade of wooden handicraft. One day, she finds herself selling these articles in Naples and runs into trouble. A robber tries to attack Caterina but she is saved by two Allied Army officers. These officers change Caterina’s life, as she discovers that her late Father has been accused of treason and black market dealings. As Caterina fights hard to clear her family’s name and protect them from further anguish, she is lead on a dangerous journey.
If you enjoy historical novels grand in scale, look no further than The Liberation. An epic novel at over 500 pages, the length of this novel first seemed a little daunting. Thankfully, I was soon swept away by the breathtaking locations and compelling time frame of this novel, to concern myself about the breath of this book. There is no question that author Kate Furnivall takes care to ensure she presents her readers with an accurate depiction of the specific time and locales in which her books are set. The Liberation is no exception. By far, what I enjoyed most about this book was the vivid setting. While reading The Liberation, I was also reminded of what I appreciated about Furnivall’s writing in the past, her scene setting is faultless. At many points in the novel I felt like I was a genuine part of the action in Italy during this desperate, perilous and uncertain time period.
It is hard to not like leading character Caterina Lombardi. From the opening pages, Caterina is clearly defined as fearless, as well as fiercely loyal. Caterina’s love for her family is admirable, which we witness through the dangerous action she takes in the novel. Furnivall also gives Caterina a little romance to contend with in her determined quest to restore her Father’s integrity. I did enjoy the scenes between Caterina and Allied Officer Jake, the chemistry between the two provided moments of light in a somewhat bleak time.
Readers will find the plot in The Liberation deeply satisfying. The Liberation travels at a steady pace and the pages flip by at an easy pace. On the whole, I found the narrative very intriguing, delivering plenty of twists to keep me on my toes. In fact, there were many points in the novel where I wasn’t quite sure what Furnivall was going to serve up next. This added to the overall appeal of The Liberation. In terms of content, I have to say I found the story thread involving the stolen artefacts, paintings and statues fascinating. In addition, I was dearly holding out hope that Caterina could clear the accusation made against her Father in his association with these stolen goods. When I reached the end of The Liberation, I felt like I had been on a tumultuous journey but I was filled with feelings of hope for the future of these characters and Italy’s restoration.
A story rich in history that demonstrates the strength of the Italian people and their love for family,
The Liberation is a book that I endorse highly.
*I wish to thank Beauty and Lace for providing a copy of this book for review purposes.
The Liberation effortlessly transports the reader back to post war Italy. In 1945, Caterina Lombardi is a young woman among countless Italians fighting to survive. The reader quickly learns that Caterina is fiercely protective of her family and will do anything to ensure that their safety is secured. After losing her Father two years ago, Caterina has continued the family trade of wooden handicraft. One day, she finds herself selling these articles in Naples and runs into trouble. A robber tries to attack Caterina but she is saved by two Allied Army officers. These officers change Caterina’s life, as she discovers that her late Father has been accused of treason and black market dealings. As Caterina fights hard to clear her family’s name and protect them from further anguish, she is lead on a dangerous journey.
If you enjoy historical novels grand in scale, look no further than The Liberation. An epic novel at over 500 pages, the length of this novel first seemed a little daunting. Thankfully, I was soon swept away by the breathtaking locations and compelling time frame of this novel, to concern myself about the breath of this book. There is no question that author Kate Furnivall takes care to ensure she presents her readers with an accurate depiction of the specific time and locales in which her books are set. The Liberation is no exception. By far, what I enjoyed most about this book was the vivid setting. While reading The Liberation, I was also reminded of what I appreciated about Furnivall’s writing in the past, her scene setting is faultless. At many points in the novel I felt like I was a genuine part of the action in Italy during this desperate, perilous and uncertain time period.
It is hard to not like leading character Caterina Lombardi. From the opening pages, Caterina is clearly defined as fearless, as well as fiercely loyal. Caterina’s love for her family is admirable, which we witness through the dangerous action she takes in the novel. Furnivall also gives Caterina a little romance to contend with in her determined quest to restore her Father’s integrity. I did enjoy the scenes between Caterina and Allied Officer Jake, the chemistry between the two provided moments of light in a somewhat bleak time.
Readers will find the plot in The Liberation deeply satisfying. The Liberation travels at a steady pace and the pages flip by at an easy pace. On the whole, I found the narrative very intriguing, delivering plenty of twists to keep me on my toes. In fact, there were many points in the novel where I wasn’t quite sure what Furnivall was going to serve up next. This added to the overall appeal of The Liberation. In terms of content, I have to say I found the story thread involving the stolen artefacts, paintings and statues fascinating. In addition, I was dearly holding out hope that Caterina could clear the accusation made against her Father in his association with these stolen goods. When I reached the end of The Liberation, I felt like I had been on a tumultuous journey but I was filled with feelings of hope for the future of these characters and Italy’s restoration.
A story rich in history that demonstrates the strength of the Italian people and their love for family,
The Liberation is a book that I endorse highly.
*I wish to thank Beauty and Lace for providing a copy of this book for review purposes.
June 9, 2017
The story in this novel warrants about 350 pages; instead it runs to 560 pages. It’s not some epic tale of history or a three generation family saga. It’s simply an ordinary detective story where everything takes place in a short span of time. In other words it’s incredibly long-winded and over detailed. I also found it poorly constructed – innumerable chapters that simply weren’t necessary. It was like the author put down on paper every single thought passing through her head and didn’t afterwards go back and edit it. It was also too melodramatic for me. I gave up at 300 pages. Ironically the best thing about it for me were the descriptions of a master craftsman working with wood. Unfortunately the author didn’t display a similar talent for craftsmanship. Really disappointing - though I enjoyed the descriptions of Sorrento.
November 11, 2016
I sensed before beginning The Liberation by Kate Furnivall that I was going to enjoy it. I am a big fan of Kate's writing and have loved everything she has written since her début The Russian Concubine but what took me by surprise was just how much I really did love this new book. I couldn't get it enough of it, or read quick enough, to discover how the ever tangled web of lies, deceit and intrigue would resolve themselves. Kate is on top form with this book and it's evident she enjoyed writing it through the superb character and plot development not to mention the extensive research needed to pull off such an incredible book. I really do think this is her most accomplished book to date as she has upped the ante with all aspects of this book. That's not to take away from any book she has written before because I have never read a bad book from her it's just this book really got underneath my skin with a strong female lead character who never ever said no, who never refused to believe what was being said to her until she satisfied herself by uncovering the truth through her own means. This was a seriously good story with so much mystery surrounding it and so many layers needing to be peeled back that I read it in two sittings so engrossed and enthralled was I with everything going on.
The Liberation has a dramatic cover befitting of the themes of the book and the thrilling events that unfold that keeps the reader guessing throughout as we never quite know who to trust. The book is set in Italy in 1945 during tumultuous times, even though World War Two may be over its effects are still being felt and will continue to do so for many years to come. On first glance at the cover I wondered who the woman was and what could she be running away from or to? It's as we begin the story that we meet Caterina Lombardi living in Sorrento with her young brother Luca and elderly grandfather Gisueppe (who is blind). Times are difficult for the family as they lost their father to a bomb on his workshop during the war and her mother Lucia ran away to Rome with a man from the town. So from the start we can sense that Caterina has been the one who has had to step into her fathers shoes in all sense of the world and try and keep the family from starving. After all life didn't revert back to normal once the war had ended, in fact from the way it was portrayed throughout the book I'd say life for the Italian people was even tougher than what they had endured previously.
Kate's last book had also been set in Italy so I questioned why she wanted to set this book once again in the same country? It soon became clear there was an even better waiting to be told story in The Liberation than that of The Italian Wife. Kate provided an eye opening storyline into a time I would have given scant thought to as Italy tries to get itself back up and running again. But beneath all the outer façade there is a lot more going on than at first meets the eye, and conspiracies and covers ups abound and the reader certainly gets a lot more than they bargained for than when they first pick up the book so much so that with every turn of the page it became increasingly hard to put down.
Caterina is a changed woman who has seen times of hardship yet she has endured and survived but her greatest test may just be around the corner. She is a talented wood inlay worker having learned her skills from her father and has taken up the reins where he unexpectedly left off. Without the beautiful masterpieces Caterina creates the family would be destitute and on the verge of starvation. It's while selling some of the boxes she has made to the American Gi's who remain in Italy to help clear things up that she encounters British born Captain Harry Fielding and American born Major Jake Parr. It may seem like a chance encounter but I felt if Caterina hadn't meet them when she did then they would have soon come calling to her workshop anyway. It starts to emerge that Caterina's father Roberto was involved in something she could never have dreamed possible that someone of his nature would find himself caught up in. Jake and Harry are part of a team attempting to recover lost or stolen piece and believe Roberto may have known more than his family thought. Of course Caterina is aghast at what she is hearing and can't believe her beloved father whom she respected and learned all she knows from could involve himself in something so corrupt. But then one wonders when times are tough just what are people forced to do to survive when everything around them is destroyed or falling apart. Once this revelation is out in the open the action just never stopped but that's what made the story flow so well. The pace didn't seem frantic and difficult to follow yet there was never any lulls or boring moments. Caterina set out to prove her fathers innocence but as things come to light she questions whether what Jake has said could actually be true?
There was very little setting up to done at the beginning, we had a brief introduction to the family and their backgrounds and then it was straight into the story and I loved this. Too often all the good parts are kept for much later in the book and then can be rushed as if the author knows they are nearing their word count and need to get things wrapped up. This didn't happen here at all Kate just kept throwing everything at Caterina as she navigates areas of Naples and Sorrento she never knew existed in her quest to uncover the truth. This wasn't all glitz and glamour instead we saw the more seedier side to things and how those who like to remain anonymous can exert such power and force in order to satisfy their own greed.
Caterina was really one of the best female characters I have read of in such a long time. She found herself, not through her own doing, caught up in something far bigger than she realised but her passion and love for her family always was her main goal and no matter what was thrown at her or what situation she found herself in she never gave up fighting until the truth would out. Right from when her mother had abandoned the family Caterina had had to become the mother figure to Luca and the woman who would run the household and now with her father gone she took this role more seriously than ever and stepped up big time when needed to do so. Caterina was so brave and courageous and never faltered when she found herself in dangerous situations but forged on ever more determined to get to the root of what exactly was going on and she earned noting but my admiration and respect in the process. Like Caterina I never quite knew who to trust throughout the story, there were lots of characters introduced and I kept wondering ohh should I be keeping a close eye on this person or could it be someone else? Count Di Marco living in his mansion on the cliff-tops of Capri with his granddaughter Leonora seemed to come from a different time altogether and the scenes set her seemed to have an other worldly quality but yet they were pivotal to to the overall storyline.
The Liberation isn't a romance story in fact far from it. It's action packed and full of mystery yet there is a slight hint of romance that didn't take away from the main storyline and to be honest I was so caught up in what was going on it wouldn't have bothered me in the slightest if it was there or not so riveting were the events rapidly unfolding. Jake Parr was a good addition to the book and at times I could see he was torn between his loyalty to the job he was in Italy to do and also at the same time trying to protect Caterina from things she really shouldn't be getting involved in but in reality she had no other choice. As I mentioned there were lots of characters and by the end it became evident that everyone needs to be kept an eye no one is there as a page filler. Every character has a role to play be it major or minor and how they all come together was just brilliant. So many clues had been subtly dropped throughout the story that I really should have picked up on more than what I did but in a way it's testament to Kate's amazing writing throughout this book that I didn't.
The Liberation really was an epic story in every sense of the word, it's nearly 600 pages but to me it didn't feel that long at all. It's the book where you say to yourself just one more chapter and then you find yourself having read another 100 pages or so and it's getting later into the night. This book is a powerful read packed full of characters who you will love and hate in equal measure. There is tension, thrills, mystery, suspense, romance and so much more and through Kate's writing Italy at a time of unrest is brought to vivid life. Having finished the Liberation and found it to be one of the best books I have read this year it's really made me want to go back and reread everything she has written as she is such a marvellous author. Do yourself a favour and go buy The Liberation today I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending it.
The Liberation has a dramatic cover befitting of the themes of the book and the thrilling events that unfold that keeps the reader guessing throughout as we never quite know who to trust. The book is set in Italy in 1945 during tumultuous times, even though World War Two may be over its effects are still being felt and will continue to do so for many years to come. On first glance at the cover I wondered who the woman was and what could she be running away from or to? It's as we begin the story that we meet Caterina Lombardi living in Sorrento with her young brother Luca and elderly grandfather Gisueppe (who is blind). Times are difficult for the family as they lost their father to a bomb on his workshop during the war and her mother Lucia ran away to Rome with a man from the town. So from the start we can sense that Caterina has been the one who has had to step into her fathers shoes in all sense of the world and try and keep the family from starving. After all life didn't revert back to normal once the war had ended, in fact from the way it was portrayed throughout the book I'd say life for the Italian people was even tougher than what they had endured previously.
Kate's last book had also been set in Italy so I questioned why she wanted to set this book once again in the same country? It soon became clear there was an even better waiting to be told story in The Liberation than that of The Italian Wife. Kate provided an eye opening storyline into a time I would have given scant thought to as Italy tries to get itself back up and running again. But beneath all the outer façade there is a lot more going on than at first meets the eye, and conspiracies and covers ups abound and the reader certainly gets a lot more than they bargained for than when they first pick up the book so much so that with every turn of the page it became increasingly hard to put down.
Caterina is a changed woman who has seen times of hardship yet she has endured and survived but her greatest test may just be around the corner. She is a talented wood inlay worker having learned her skills from her father and has taken up the reins where he unexpectedly left off. Without the beautiful masterpieces Caterina creates the family would be destitute and on the verge of starvation. It's while selling some of the boxes she has made to the American Gi's who remain in Italy to help clear things up that she encounters British born Captain Harry Fielding and American born Major Jake Parr. It may seem like a chance encounter but I felt if Caterina hadn't meet them when she did then they would have soon come calling to her workshop anyway. It starts to emerge that Caterina's father Roberto was involved in something she could never have dreamed possible that someone of his nature would find himself caught up in. Jake and Harry are part of a team attempting to recover lost or stolen piece and believe Roberto may have known more than his family thought. Of course Caterina is aghast at what she is hearing and can't believe her beloved father whom she respected and learned all she knows from could involve himself in something so corrupt. But then one wonders when times are tough just what are people forced to do to survive when everything around them is destroyed or falling apart. Once this revelation is out in the open the action just never stopped but that's what made the story flow so well. The pace didn't seem frantic and difficult to follow yet there was never any lulls or boring moments. Caterina set out to prove her fathers innocence but as things come to light she questions whether what Jake has said could actually be true?
There was very little setting up to done at the beginning, we had a brief introduction to the family and their backgrounds and then it was straight into the story and I loved this. Too often all the good parts are kept for much later in the book and then can be rushed as if the author knows they are nearing their word count and need to get things wrapped up. This didn't happen here at all Kate just kept throwing everything at Caterina as she navigates areas of Naples and Sorrento she never knew existed in her quest to uncover the truth. This wasn't all glitz and glamour instead we saw the more seedier side to things and how those who like to remain anonymous can exert such power and force in order to satisfy their own greed.
Caterina was really one of the best female characters I have read of in such a long time. She found herself, not through her own doing, caught up in something far bigger than she realised but her passion and love for her family always was her main goal and no matter what was thrown at her or what situation she found herself in she never gave up fighting until the truth would out. Right from when her mother had abandoned the family Caterina had had to become the mother figure to Luca and the woman who would run the household and now with her father gone she took this role more seriously than ever and stepped up big time when needed to do so. Caterina was so brave and courageous and never faltered when she found herself in dangerous situations but forged on ever more determined to get to the root of what exactly was going on and she earned noting but my admiration and respect in the process. Like Caterina I never quite knew who to trust throughout the story, there were lots of characters introduced and I kept wondering ohh should I be keeping a close eye on this person or could it be someone else? Count Di Marco living in his mansion on the cliff-tops of Capri with his granddaughter Leonora seemed to come from a different time altogether and the scenes set her seemed to have an other worldly quality but yet they were pivotal to to the overall storyline.
The Liberation isn't a romance story in fact far from it. It's action packed and full of mystery yet there is a slight hint of romance that didn't take away from the main storyline and to be honest I was so caught up in what was going on it wouldn't have bothered me in the slightest if it was there or not so riveting were the events rapidly unfolding. Jake Parr was a good addition to the book and at times I could see he was torn between his loyalty to the job he was in Italy to do and also at the same time trying to protect Caterina from things she really shouldn't be getting involved in but in reality she had no other choice. As I mentioned there were lots of characters and by the end it became evident that everyone needs to be kept an eye no one is there as a page filler. Every character has a role to play be it major or minor and how they all come together was just brilliant. So many clues had been subtly dropped throughout the story that I really should have picked up on more than what I did but in a way it's testament to Kate's amazing writing throughout this book that I didn't.
The Liberation really was an epic story in every sense of the word, it's nearly 600 pages but to me it didn't feel that long at all. It's the book where you say to yourself just one more chapter and then you find yourself having read another 100 pages or so and it's getting later into the night. This book is a powerful read packed full of characters who you will love and hate in equal measure. There is tension, thrills, mystery, suspense, romance and so much more and through Kate's writing Italy at a time of unrest is brought to vivid life. Having finished the Liberation and found it to be one of the best books I have read this year it's really made me want to go back and reread everything she has written as she is such a marvellous author. Do yourself a favour and go buy The Liberation today I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending it.
November 26, 2017
To be honest, I suppose I should consider myself lucky, that I don't come across books as bad as this very often. It's normally as rare as twice a year. It may seem harsh, but I'm afraid this is reality. This book was drivel.
To begin with, this book was way too long. This could have easily been a 300 page book, but instead it was terribly long winded and unnecessarily drawn out. This book is described as a sweeping and epic saga. No, this was neither of those things. It was poorly constructed, the plot was simply bland and the characters were not only boring, but they lacked depth.
The first few chapters were tolerable, but instead of a beautiful and epic story, I felt as if I was part of the mafia or something. There are just a lot of people running around with guns, cursing excessively and acting like they are gangsters. This is NOT what I like. Oh, and just before I finish, there was a ridiculous amount of use of the word "Fuck" I am not offended, but overused, it just adds no emphasis to anything and really, it's just pointless.
I am relieved to have finished this!!
To begin with, this book was way too long. This could have easily been a 300 page book, but instead it was terribly long winded and unnecessarily drawn out. This book is described as a sweeping and epic saga. No, this was neither of those things. It was poorly constructed, the plot was simply bland and the characters were not only boring, but they lacked depth.
The first few chapters were tolerable, but instead of a beautiful and epic story, I felt as if I was part of the mafia or something. There are just a lot of people running around with guns, cursing excessively and acting like they are gangsters. This is NOT what I like. Oh, and just before I finish, there was a ridiculous amount of use of the word "Fuck" I am not offended, but overused, it just adds no emphasis to anything and really, it's just pointless.
I am relieved to have finished this!!
March 18, 2017
Caterina is trying to survive in Sorrento, Italy in 1945. The war has ended and British and American troops are in Naples trying to restore peace to the war devastated city. Caterina has taken over her dead father's business to try and support her young brother and grandfather who rely on her.
I enjoyed the first half of this story but it seemed to take me a long time to get through the last part.
I enjoyed the first half of this story but it seemed to take me a long time to get through the last part.
August 18, 2017
A good solid historical fiction set in Italy after the second World War.
Caterina's family is left smaller and poor after the defeat of Italy in the hands of the allied troops. When an American solider starts asking questions about her dead father's involvement in the stealing of Italy's art. She sets out to clear her father's name.
Bit of a mystery in this one and a touch of romance, all in a beautiful setting. I always like reading about people who were on the wrong side of the war, through no choice of their own and how this affected them. Would recommend for fans of historical fiction.
Caterina's family is left smaller and poor after the defeat of Italy in the hands of the allied troops. When an American solider starts asking questions about her dead father's involvement in the stealing of Italy's art. She sets out to clear her father's name.
Bit of a mystery in this one and a touch of romance, all in a beautiful setting. I always like reading about people who were on the wrong side of the war, through no choice of their own and how this affected them. Would recommend for fans of historical fiction.
September 12, 2018
Η πρώτη μου γνωριμία με την Kate Furnivall έγινε πριν από περίπου πέντε χρόνια, την ίδια περίοδο που ξεκίνησα να εργάζομαι ως αξιολογήτρια βιβλίων. Η αλήθεια είναι πως το βιβλίο εκείνο που είχε φτάσει πρώτη φορά στα χέρια μου, κι έφερε την υπογραφή της, δεν με είχε ενθουσιάσει ιδιαίτερα, χωρίς να είναι απαραίτητα κακό. Απλά, λόγω του ότι είχε γραφτεί σε μια άλλη εποχή -και δεκαετία- φάνταζε αρκετά εκτός των σημερινών δεδομένων που χρειάζεται ένα μυθιστόρημα για να κερδίσει την αναγνώριση του κοινού. Έτσι, την είχα απορρίψει. Κάποια χρόνια αργότερα, ένα από τα πιο φρέσκα πονήματά της ξαναήρθε στα χέρια μου και αυτή τη φορά, η αντιμετώπισή μου αλλά και η άποψή μου απέναντι στο έργο της, άλλαξαν άρδην. Και μπορεί οι τότε συνομιλίες του εκδοτικού με την συγγραφέα να μην οδήγησαν σε κάποια συνεργασία, όμως, για κάποιο λόγο γίνονται όλα, που λέει και ο Οικονομόπουλος, και έτσι, σήμερα, οι εκδόσεις Κλειδάριθμος φέρνουν στο αναγνωστικό κοινό ένα από τα καλύτερα βιβλία της -και ευελπιστώ σύντομα να μας φέρουν κι άλλα.
Η ιστορία αυτή μας ταξιδεύει στην Ιταλία του 1945, λίγο μετά το τέλος του Β' Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, μια εποχή δύσκολη και ταραγμένη, όπου ο κόσμος προσπαθεί να μαζέψει τα κομμάτια του και να βρει νέους τρόπους για να ζήσει, για να μπορέσει να σταθεί στα πόδια του. Βρετανοί και Αμερικάνοι στρατιώτες προσπαθούν να βοηθήσουν κι εκείνοι με τον τρόπο τους, αλλά αυτό δεν φαίνεται να κάνει την κατάσταση πιο εύκολη. Η Κατερίνα Λομπάρντι, που ζει μαζί με τον παππού της και τον αδερφό της, έπειτα από τον θάνατο του πατέρα της δύο χρόνια νωρίτερα εξαιτίας μιας έκρηξης -η μητέρα της τους είχε εγκαταλείψει όταν εκείνη ήταν μόλις δέκα ετών, και είχε φύγει με τον καλύτερο φίλο του πατέρα της-, κάνει κι αυτή με τη σειρά της απέλπιδες προσπάθειες προκειμένου να επιβιώσει και μαζί με αυτήν, να επιβιώσουν κι όσοι έχουν απομείνει από την οικογένειά της. Όταν ένας παλιός φίλος του πατέρα της τον κατηγορήσει για προδοσία, θ' ανοίξει για την Κατερίνα ο Ασκός του Αιόλου, και μια τρομερή πλεκτάνη ενάντια στην οικογένειά της αρχίζει να κάνει την εμφάνισή της, θέτοντας τη ζωή της σε ακόμα μεγαλύτερο κίνδυνο.
Έχω διαβάσει, πραγματικά, άπειρα μυθιστορήματα στην κατηγορία του ιστορικού μυθιστορήματος, τόσα πολλά που δεν είμαι καν σίγουρη αν μπορώ να ξεχωρίσω πέντε από αυτά, αν κι εφόσον μου ζητηθεί. Και δεν ξέρω αν κάποιο από τα βιβλία της Furnivall θα έμπαινε στη λίστα μου, πρέπει, όμως, να της αναγνωρίσω ορισμένα πολύ θετικά της στοιχεία, τα οποία αξιοποιεί και εξελίσσει όλο και περισσότερο σε κάθε νέο της βιβλίο. Ένα από αυτά είναι η περιγραφικότητά της. Έχει μία μοναδική ικανότητα να αναπαριστά γεγονότα και καταστάσεις, και να τα τοποθετεί αφηγηματικά σε χωροχρονικές περιόδους αρκετά έξω από τη δική μας, ζωντανεύοντας τοποθεσίες, μέρη, ιστορικές στιγμές που τις παντρεύει άρτια και άκρως ισορροπημένα με την μυθοπλασία της. Το σημαντικότερο, ωστόσο, δεν είναι ότι ζωντανεύει τις εικόνες που περιγράφει, αλλά την τραγικότητα και την αλήθεια αυτών που αποτυπώνεται με μία μοναδική ρεαλιστικότητα στο χαρτί, κάνοντας την καρδιά μας να χτυπά γρήγορα ουκ ολίγες φορές.
Μπορεί η ιστορία της Κατερίνα να περιλαμβάνει μυστήριο και αγωνία, μπορεί να είναι περιπετειώδης ως προς την επίλυση του γρίφου της συνωμοσίας που προσπαθεί να αμαυρώσει το όνομα και την τιμή της οικογένειάς της, και πολλά πράγματα αποδεικνύεται πως έχουν ένα άλλο, διαφορετικό πρόσωπο απ' αυτό που αρχικά φαίνεται, ωστόσο, ο πραγματικός της άξονας, ο πυρήνας της που τροφοδοτεί τα πάντα, είναι ο ανθρώπινος αγώνας, συνολικά, το πάθος κάθε ζωντανού πλάσματος να επιβληθεί, η μάχη που δίνει κάθε μέρα προκειμένου να επιβιώσει και να προστατεύσει, συνάμα, ό,τι και όποιον αγαπάει. Και οι επικίνδυνες, σκοτεινές, ζοφερές και αγωνιώδεις στιγμές που ζουν οι κάτοικοι της Ιταλίας ανάμεσα στα χαλάσματα που άφησε πίσω του ο πόλεμος, που κάτω από κάθε πέτρα κρύβεται κι ένας πόνος, μία τραγική ιστορία, αίμα, πόνος και δάκρυα, μας το θυμίζουν κάθε στιγμή και μας κάνουν ν' αναθεωρούμε τη ζωή μας, την παρουσία μας σε αυτήν, όπως μας θυμίζουν και τις πραγματικές αξίες, αυτά τα οποία θα έπρεπε ουσιαστικά να εκτιμάμε και να τους δίνουμε σημασία.
Σε ότι αφορά την ανάπτυξη των χαρακτήρων, την εξέλιξη της πλοκής, ή ακόμα και την ερωτική ιστορία που εμπεριέχεται μέσα στη βασική αφήγηση, έχω να πω τα εξής. Ναι, η Κατερίνα δεν είναι ο χαρακτήρας που μπορείς ν' αγαπήσεις ή να ταυτιστείς απόλυτα μαζί του, αφού λειτουργεί αρκετά παρορμητικά, έως αψυχολόγητα, κάποιες στιγμές, αυξάνοντας τον κίνδυνο για την ίδια και την οικογένειά της, αλλά δεν μπορούμε να μην την αναγνωρίσουμε ότι έχει ιδανικά, ήθος, αξίες, στοιχεία που δεν συναντάς συχνά και που τα εκτιμάς ανάλογα όταν τα βρίσκεις. Η πλοκή έχει αρκετά καλό ρυθμό, η απεικόνιση του όνειδου και της καταστροφής συμβάλλει θετικά στη δημιουργία ατμόσφαιρας, υπάρχει ένταση και νεύρο, αλλά θα ήθελα λίγο καλύτερο χειρισμό όσον αφορά την ταυτότητα του "ενόχου". Τέλος, σε σχέση με την ερωτική ιστορία... μπορεί οι χαρακτήρες που εμπλέκονται σε αυτή τη σχέση να είναι δισδιάστοι και η μεταξύ τους κατάληξη να φαντάζει κάπως επιτηδευμένη, ωστόσο, αν την τοποθετήσουμε σε ρεαλιστικούς παράγοντες της εποχής εκείνης, νομίζω πως είναι πολύ κοντά στο πραγματικό πρότυπο. Σίγουρα, όχι τόσο ρομαντικό όσο ίσως θα θέλαμε, αλλά πολύ πιο αληθινό από "παραμύθια" που δεν αφήνουν καν πληγές πίσω τους, παρά την όποιο τραγικότητά τους.
Η ιστορία αυτή μας ταξιδεύει στην Ιταλία του 1945, λίγο μετά το τέλος του Β' Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, μια εποχή δύσκολη και ταραγμένη, όπου ο κόσμος προσπαθεί να μαζέψει τα κομμάτια του και να βρει νέους τρόπους για να ζήσει, για να μπορέσει να σταθεί στα πόδια του. Βρετανοί και Αμερικάνοι στρατιώτες προσπαθούν να βοηθήσουν κι εκείνοι με τον τρόπο τους, αλλά αυτό δεν φαίνεται να κάνει την κατάσταση πιο εύκολη. Η Κατερίνα Λομπάρντι, που ζει μαζί με τον παππού της και τον αδερφό της, έπειτα από τον θάνατο του πατέρα της δύο χρόνια νωρίτερα εξαιτίας μιας έκρηξης -η μητέρα της τους είχε εγκαταλείψει όταν εκείνη ήταν μόλις δέκα ετών, και είχε φύγει με τον καλύτερο φίλο του πατέρα της-, κάνει κι αυτή με τη σειρά της απέλπιδες προσπάθειες προκειμένου να επιβιώσει και μαζί με αυτήν, να επιβιώσουν κι όσοι έχουν απομείνει από την οικογένειά της. Όταν ένας παλιός φίλος του πατέρα της τον κατηγορήσει για προδοσία, θ' ανοίξει για την Κατερίνα ο Ασκός του Αιόλου, και μια τρομερή πλεκτάνη ενάντια στην οικογένειά της αρχίζει να κάνει την εμφάνισή της, θέτοντας τη ζωή της σε ακόμα μεγαλύτερο κίνδυνο.
Έχω διαβάσει, πραγματικά, άπειρα μυθιστορήματα στην κατηγορία του ιστορικού μυθιστορήματος, τόσα πολλά που δεν είμαι καν σίγουρη αν μπορώ να ξεχωρίσω πέντε από αυτά, αν κι εφόσον μου ζητηθεί. Και δεν ξέρω αν κάποιο από τα βιβλία της Furnivall θα έμπαινε στη λίστα μου, πρέπει, όμως, να της αναγνωρίσω ορισμένα πολύ θετικά της στοιχεία, τα οποία αξιοποιεί και εξελίσσει όλο και περισσότερο σε κάθε νέο της βιβλίο. Ένα από αυτά είναι η περιγραφικότητά της. Έχει μία μοναδική ικανότητα να αναπαριστά γεγονότα και καταστάσεις, και να τα τοποθετεί αφηγηματικά σε χωροχρονικές περιόδους αρκετά έξω από τη δική μας, ζωντανεύοντας τοποθεσίες, μέρη, ιστορικές στιγμές που τις παντρεύει άρτια και άκρως ισορροπημένα με την μυθοπλασία της. Το σημαντικότερο, ωστόσο, δεν είναι ότι ζωντανεύει τις εικόνες που περιγράφει, αλλά την τραγικότητα και την αλήθεια αυτών που αποτυπώνεται με μία μοναδική ρεαλιστικότητα στο χαρτί, κάνοντας την καρδιά μας να χτυπά γρήγορα ουκ ολίγες φορές.
Μπορεί η ιστορία της Κατερίνα να περιλαμβάνει μυστήριο και αγωνία, μπορεί να είναι περιπετειώδης ως προς την επίλυση του γρίφου της συνωμοσίας που προσπαθεί να αμαυρώσει το όνομα και την τιμή της οικογένειάς της, και πολλά πράγματα αποδεικνύεται πως έχουν ένα άλλο, διαφορετικό πρόσωπο απ' αυτό που αρχικά φαίνεται, ωστόσο, ο πραγματικός της άξονας, ο πυρήνας της που τροφοδοτεί τα πάντα, είναι ο ανθρώπινος αγώνας, συνολικά, το πάθος κάθε ζωντανού πλάσματος να επιβληθεί, η μάχη που δίνει κάθε μέρα προκειμένου να επιβιώσει και να προστατεύσει, συνάμα, ό,τι και όποιον αγαπάει. Και οι επικίνδυνες, σκοτεινές, ζοφερές και αγωνιώδεις στιγμές που ζουν οι κάτοικοι της Ιταλίας ανάμεσα στα χαλάσματα που άφησε πίσω του ο πόλεμος, που κάτω από κάθε πέτρα κρύβεται κι ένας πόνος, μία τραγική ιστορία, αίμα, πόνος και δάκρυα, μας το θυμίζουν κάθε στιγμή και μας κάνουν ν' αναθεωρούμε τη ζωή μας, την παρουσία μας σε αυτήν, όπως μας θυμίζουν και τις πραγματικές αξίες, αυτά τα οποία θα έπρεπε ουσιαστικά να εκτιμάμε και να τους δίνουμε σημασία.
Σε ότι αφορά την ανάπτυξη των χαρακτήρων, την εξέλιξη της πλοκής, ή ακόμα και την ερωτική ιστορία που εμπεριέχεται μέσα στη βασική αφήγηση, έχω να πω τα εξής. Ναι, η Κατερίνα δεν είναι ο χαρακτήρας που μπορείς ν' αγαπήσεις ή να ταυτιστείς απόλυτα μαζί του, αφού λειτουργεί αρκετά παρορμητικά, έως αψυχολόγητα, κάποιες στιγμές, αυξάνοντας τον κίνδυνο για την ίδια και την οικογένειά της, αλλά δεν μπορούμε να μην την αναγνωρίσουμε ότι έχει ιδανικά, ήθος, αξίες, στοιχεία που δεν συναντάς συχνά και που τα εκτιμάς ανάλογα όταν τα βρίσκεις. Η πλοκή έχει αρκετά καλό ρυθμό, η απεικόνιση του όνειδου και της καταστροφής συμβάλλει θετικά στη δημιουργία ατμόσφαιρας, υπάρχει ένταση και νεύρο, αλλά θα ήθελα λίγο καλύτερο χειρισμό όσον αφορά την ταυτότητα του "ενόχου". Τέλος, σε σχέση με την ερωτική ιστορία... μπορεί οι χαρακτήρες που εμπλέκονται σε αυτή τη σχέση να είναι δισδιάστοι και η μεταξύ τους κατάληξη να φαντάζει κάπως επιτηδευμένη, ωστόσο, αν την τοποθετήσουμε σε ρεαλιστικούς παράγοντες της εποχής εκείνης, νομίζω πως είναι πολύ κοντά στο πραγματικό πρότυπο. Σίγουρα, όχι τόσο ρομαντικό όσο ίσως θα θέλαμε, αλλά πολύ πιο αληθινό από "παραμύθια" που δεν αφήνουν καν πληγές πίσω τους, παρά την όποιο τραγικότητά τους.
February 6, 2017
This book was such a drag to read. It was beautifully written but I felt it was a good 100 pages too long. The characters were interesting but the whole book was based on a missing table.
November 6, 2016
Stunning, shocking... Beautifully written.
A fabulous book, the storyline fat with conspiracy and intrigue and violence, the backdrop: Italy face down in the rubble, immediately after World War II, the population struggling against the ruination of their economy and infrastructure, law and order broken, corruption rife.
Such is the richness of the writing and imagery used, together with Kate Furnivall’s incredible skill at transporting the reader, do not be surprised when on reaching the end, you check your feet for dust, your arms for sunburn, your clothes for sweat stains—I did.
Caterina, (heroine), many words define her, one stands out: Valiant. Faced with child street gangs, smuggled artworks, murders, betrays, secrets and family feuds, this engaging young woman doesn’t know how to surrender, not when it comes to protecting her brother, her grandfather, her name.
She earns—boy, does she earn—her ‘ahhh’ moment with Jake, (the kind of quiet, steadfast hero we all secretly crave in our lives) but the climax of the twist-and-twist- again suspense plot is very much more ‘bloody hell’!
Strongly recommended, the volume, a shout.
A fabulous book, the storyline fat with conspiracy and intrigue and violence, the backdrop: Italy face down in the rubble, immediately after World War II, the population struggling against the ruination of their economy and infrastructure, law and order broken, corruption rife.
Such is the richness of the writing and imagery used, together with Kate Furnivall’s incredible skill at transporting the reader, do not be surprised when on reaching the end, you check your feet for dust, your arms for sunburn, your clothes for sweat stains—I did.
Caterina, (heroine), many words define her, one stands out: Valiant. Faced with child street gangs, smuggled artworks, murders, betrays, secrets and family feuds, this engaging young woman doesn’t know how to surrender, not when it comes to protecting her brother, her grandfather, her name.
She earns—boy, does she earn—her ‘ahhh’ moment with Jake, (the kind of quiet, steadfast hero we all secretly crave in our lives) but the climax of the twist-and-twist- again suspense plot is very much more ‘bloody hell’!
Strongly recommended, the volume, a shout.
April 2, 2018
This seemed about 150 pages longer than it needed to be.
It just didn’t float my boat. Beautifully written and the start really engaged me but it failed to keep me hooked
It just didn’t float my boat. Beautifully written and the start really engaged me but it failed to keep me hooked
February 2, 2017
Set in Italy at the end of WWII, The Liberation unfolds against a backdrop of savagery and desolation. Rarely have I come across a book that depicts the full devastation of war so intricately. Italy, at the end of WWII, was a country destroyed, ruled by corruption, fear, and poverty. Kate Furnivall gives us an insight into this with one woman's fight to keep her family safe while finding out the truth about her father. This was an excellent novel, rich in historic detail with vivid depictions of scene and character lending weight to its believability. There was a toughness to the Italians in this story that begs admiration but also generates great sorrow. While romance is present, it is by no means a sweeping tale of an officer and a peasant girl. Yet it does showcase love, in amongst all of the savagery, and honour runs deep throughout the entire novel, both on a personal level for the characters as well as a national notion for all of Italy's people. I enjoyed this book and recommend it highly to anyone who likes novels about WWII, even though it is set at its conclusion. The Liberation gives a voice to a dark period of Italy's history and sheds a light on what it must have been like to live in an occupied country with swinging political ideologies during a time of world wide conflict.
November 18, 2016
**MORE THAN 5 STARS**
There are not enough words to describe the magnificence of this gripping tale but I will try to do it justice. Caterina Lombardi is doing the best that she can for her family in her home of Italy in the aftermath of the War. Her beautiful Sorrento and Naples may have been pillaged and bombed but its spirit and wonder still remain, ensnaring the hearts of the Allied soldiers who are trying to reinstate the land to its former glory. Like her flawed but stunning homeland, Caterina is determined to protect her secretive family during these dangerous times, but as she is drawn into a dangerous investigation, her life and her treasured memories will never be the same again. This stunning novel captivated me immediately, and its poetic prose describing this unique country and culture will transport you to a different time and place. Caterina and Jake are characters full of depth, strength, and honour, and their unusual relationship makes for a compelling read. THE LIBERATION by Kate Furnivall evokes the kaleidoscope of human emotions, from betrayal to love and loyalty, while telling a story of family, sacrifice, danger, and strength. This book is amazing and I highly recommend it to all fiction fans!!
*I won a copy of this novel from TBC on FB
There are not enough words to describe the magnificence of this gripping tale but I will try to do it justice. Caterina Lombardi is doing the best that she can for her family in her home of Italy in the aftermath of the War. Her beautiful Sorrento and Naples may have been pillaged and bombed but its spirit and wonder still remain, ensnaring the hearts of the Allied soldiers who are trying to reinstate the land to its former glory. Like her flawed but stunning homeland, Caterina is determined to protect her secretive family during these dangerous times, but as she is drawn into a dangerous investigation, her life and her treasured memories will never be the same again. This stunning novel captivated me immediately, and its poetic prose describing this unique country and culture will transport you to a different time and place. Caterina and Jake are characters full of depth, strength, and honour, and their unusual relationship makes for a compelling read. THE LIBERATION by Kate Furnivall evokes the kaleidoscope of human emotions, from betrayal to love and loyalty, while telling a story of family, sacrifice, danger, and strength. This book is amazing and I highly recommend it to all fiction fans!!
*I won a copy of this novel from TBC on FB
January 24, 2017
It was quite by chance that I came to read this very readable novel set in southern Italy just after the Second World War. I just happened to see it on display at my local library recently and as an Italophile it appealed to me. I have never read any of Kate Furnivall's novels before but after enjoying this one she is an author I will not hesitate to read again.
The story is a tangled web of intrigue and deceit, a very descriptive account of a country that was struggling to survive. Caterina, the protagonist is a truly amazing young woman prepared to go to great lengths to protect her family. Highly recommended to fans of historical romantic fiction and Italophiles.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
The story is a tangled web of intrigue and deceit, a very descriptive account of a country that was struggling to survive. Caterina, the protagonist is a truly amazing young woman prepared to go to great lengths to protect her family. Highly recommended to fans of historical romantic fiction and Italophiles.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
October 12, 2017
Great holiday read.
October 5, 2018
Όταν η Κατερίνα Λομπάρντι είναι δέκα χρονών και ο μικρός αδερφός της Λούκα μόλις λίγων μηνών, η μητέρα τους τους εγκαταλείπει. Άφησε το σύζυγο της και τα δυο τους παιδιά, για έναν άλλο άντρα. Έντεκα χρόνια μετά, το 1945 στην μεταπολεμική Ιταλία, Αμερικανικά και Βρετανικά στρατεύματα βρίσκονται στην χώρα για να την βοηθήσουν να σταθεί πάλι στα πόδια της και να αντιμετωπίσει το μέλλον, ενώ οι Ιταλοί αγωνίζονται να επιβιώσουν με τον όποιο τρόπο.
Η Κατερίνα ζει με τον αδερφό της και τον τυφλό παππού τους , στο Σορέντο, ο πατέρας της κατά την διάρκεια του πολέμου έχει χάσει την ζωή του όταν βομβαρδίστηκε το εργαστήριο του. Προσπαθεί και η ίδια να σταθεί στα πόδια της, αγωνίζεται για να προστατέψει την οικογένεια της και να τους κρατήσει μακριά από την πείνα και την ανέχεια. Έχοντας μάθει την τέχνη της μαρκετερί από τον πατέρα της, φτιάχνει μουσικά κουτιά και τα πουλάει στους δρόμους της Νάπολι για να εξασφαλίσει τροφή για κείνη και την οικογένεια της. Ένα πρωινό, η απροσδόκητη ανάμειξη δυο στρατιωτών στην ζωή της Κατερίνα, βγάζει στην επιφάνεια μια ιστορία που εμπλέκεται το όνομα του πατέρα της ως προδότη της χώρας και την ίδια να αγωνίζεται να καθαρίσει το όνομα του πατέρα της, το όνομα της οικογένειας της.
Προσπαθώντας να αποδείξει την τιμιότητα του πατέρα της, βγαίνουν στο φως επικίνδυνα μυστικά , πράγματα που την κάνουν και αμφισβητεί, αρνιέται με σθένος να πιστέψει τα γεγονότα και βάζει σε κίνδυνο την ζωή της καθώς και την ζωή του μικρού Λούκα. Μήπως ο Αμερικανός Τζέικ λέει την αλήθεια; Είναι φίλος που προσπαθεί να την βοηθήσει ή ένας ακόμη εχθρός; Τα μυστικά της οικογένειας που αποκαλύπτονται θα είναι η πτώση της, ή θα βρει τις απαντήσεις που γυρεύει , για να βρει την ειρήνη;
Η Kate Furnivall έχει φτιάξει ένα πολύ δυνατό γυναικείο χαρακτήρα στο πρόσωπο της Κατερίνα, μια γυναίκα θαρραλέα, με μεγάλη πίστη και αγάπη στην οικογένεια που αγωνίζεται για την επιβίωση της μέσα σε μια κατεστραμμένη πόλη ….
Ένα βιβλίο πολυεπίπεδο που μιλάει για την αγάπη της οικογένειας, την εκδίκηση και τους φόνους τιμής, τον ρόλο της μητέρας, τις σπασμένες σχέσεις, την απάτη και την διαφθορά ακόμα και μέσω πολέμου.
Μου άρεσε πολύ αυτό το βιβλίο, είναι γεμάτο δράση και μυστήριο, μια ιστορία αγάπης και απώλειας στα χρόνια του πολέμου αλλά και εμπιστοσύνης και ελπίδας!!!
Η Κατερίνα ζει με τον αδερφό της και τον τυφλό παππού τους , στο Σορέντο, ο πατέρας της κατά την διάρκεια του πολέμου έχει χάσει την ζωή του όταν βομβαρδίστηκε το εργαστήριο του. Προσπαθεί και η ίδια να σταθεί στα πόδια της, αγωνίζεται για να προστατέψει την οικογένεια της και να τους κρατήσει μακριά από την πείνα και την ανέχεια. Έχοντας μάθει την τέχνη της μαρκετερί από τον πατέρα της, φτιάχνει μουσικά κουτιά και τα πουλάει στους δρόμους της Νάπολι για να εξασφαλίσει τροφή για κείνη και την οικογένεια της. Ένα πρωινό, η απροσδόκητη ανάμειξη δυο στρατιωτών στην ζωή της Κατερίνα, βγάζει στην επιφάνεια μια ιστορία που εμπλέκεται το όνομα του πατέρα της ως προδότη της χώρας και την ίδια να αγωνίζεται να καθαρίσει το όνομα του πατέρα της, το όνομα της οικογένειας της.
Προσπαθώντας να αποδείξει την τιμιότητα του πατέρα της, βγαίνουν στο φως επικίνδυνα μυστικά , πράγματα που την κάνουν και αμφισβητεί, αρνιέται με σθένος να πιστέψει τα γεγονότα και βάζει σε κίνδυνο την ζωή της καθώς και την ζωή του μικρού Λούκα. Μήπως ο Αμερικανός Τζέικ λέει την αλήθεια; Είναι φίλος που προσπαθεί να την βοηθήσει ή ένας ακόμη εχθρός; Τα μυστικά της οικογένειας που αποκαλύπτονται θα είναι η πτώση της, ή θα βρει τις απαντήσεις που γυρεύει , για να βρει την ειρήνη;
Η Kate Furnivall έχει φτιάξει ένα πολύ δυνατό γυναικείο χαρακτήρα στο πρόσωπο της Κατερίνα, μια γυναίκα θαρραλέα, με μεγάλη πίστη και αγάπη στην οικογένεια που αγωνίζεται για την επιβίωση της μέσα σε μια κατεστραμμένη πόλη ….
Ένα βιβλίο πολυεπίπεδο που μιλάει για την αγάπη της οικογένειας, την εκδίκηση και τους φόνους τιμής, τον ρόλο της μητέρας, τις σπασμένες σχέσεις, την απάτη και την διαφθορά ακόμα και μέσω πολέμου.
Μου άρεσε πολύ αυτό το βιβλίο, είναι γεμάτο δράση και μυστήριο, μια ιστορία αγάπης και απώλειας στα χρόνια του πολέμου αλλά και εμπιστοσύνης και ελπίδας!!!
October 21, 2020
https://georgette60.blogspot.com/2020...
Μεταπολεμικό μυθιστόρημα που διαδραματίζεται στην Νάπολη και το Σορέντο κατά την περίοδο του 1945 και με μια Ιταλία που προσπαθεί να σηκωθεί και να αντιμετωπίσει τα διάφορα προβλήματα με την βοήθεια των Αμερικανών και Βρεττανών στρατιωτικών όπως και η διάσωση διαφόρων κειμηλίων και έργων τέχνης.
Ίντριγκες,αγωνίες,μυστήριο,δράση (λίγο υποτονική βέβαια)καθώς επίσης ιστορίες αγάπης,απώλειας,πίστης,τιμωρίας.
Επισημαίνεται η αξιοθαύμαστη αγάπη για την οικογένεια ιδιαίτερα από την ηρωίδα Κατερίνα που κάνει τα πάντα για την αποκατάσταση του ονόματος της.Βέβαια στον αντίποδα υπάρχει και η αδιαφορία ή η διαστρεβλωμένη αγάπη κάποιων μελών όχι απαραίτητα της ίδιας οικογένειας.
Ενδιαφέρουσα αφήγηση που ρέει εύκολα αν και οι πολλές λεπτομέρειες θα μπορούσαν να αποφευχθούν,συναρπαστικές τοποθεσίες και άψογες σκηνές ειδικά οι περιγραφικές που απεικονίζουν τις καταστροφικές συνέπειες του πολέμου όπως πείνα,φτώχεια,δυστυχία,δύσκολες συνθήκες διαβίωσης των ανθρώπων και άλλα.
Ξεχώρησα τον χαρακτήρα της Κατερίνας με τον δυναμισμό,την επιμονή και την τόλμη της.Βέβαια υπάρχουν και χαρακτήρες χωρίς βάθος.
Απελεύθερωση και από τον ζυγό αλλά και σαν γενική έννοια τόσο των υποδουλομένων όσων και των ανθρώπινων ψυχών.
Μεταπολεμικό μυθιστόρημα που διαδραματίζεται στην Νάπολη και το Σορέντο κατά την περίοδο του 1945 και με μια Ιταλία που προσπαθεί να σηκωθεί και να αντιμετωπίσει τα διάφορα προβλήματα με την βοήθεια των Αμερικανών και Βρεττανών στρατιωτικών όπως και η διάσωση διαφόρων κειμηλίων και έργων τέχνης.
Ίντριγκες,αγωνίες,μυστήριο,δράση (λίγο υποτονική βέβαια)καθώς επίσης ιστορίες αγάπης,απώλειας,πίστης,τιμωρίας.
Επισημαίνεται η αξιοθαύμαστη αγάπη για την οικογένεια ιδιαίτερα από την ηρωίδα Κατερίνα που κάνει τα πάντα για την αποκατάσταση του ονόματος της.Βέβαια στον αντίποδα υπάρχει και η αδιαφορία ή η διαστρεβλωμένη αγάπη κάποιων μελών όχι απαραίτητα της ίδιας οικογένειας.
Ενδιαφέρουσα αφήγηση που ρέει εύκολα αν και οι πολλές λεπτομέρειες θα μπορούσαν να αποφευχθούν,συναρπαστικές τοποθεσίες και άψογες σκηνές ειδικά οι περιγραφικές που απεικονίζουν τις καταστροφικές συνέπειες του πολέμου όπως πείνα,φτώχεια,δυστυχία,δύσκολες συνθήκες διαβίωσης των ανθρώπων και άλλα.
Ξεχώρησα τον χαρακτήρα της Κατερίνας με τον δυναμισμό,την επιμονή και την τόλμη της.Βέβαια υπάρχουν και χαρακτήρες χωρίς βάθος.
Απελεύθερωση και από τον ζυγό αλλά και σαν γενική έννοια τόσο των υποδουλομένων όσων και των ανθρώπινων ψυχών.
November 21, 2017
Set in and around Naples and Sorrento at the end of WWII, this novel paints a vivid picture of Italian society at the time. The hunger, poverty and destruction caused by the war overlay the deep-rooted Italian attachment to the family and its darker side, manifested in Camorra corruption.
The main characters were generally well drawn, although the villains were perhaps a little too typecast. And I did feel that the book didn't need to be as long as it was. Despite that, there are some page-turning sections and I recommend it to gain a deeper understanding of the aftermath of the war, which is often glossed over.
The main characters were generally well drawn, although the villains were perhaps a little too typecast. And I did feel that the book didn't need to be as long as it was. Despite that, there are some page-turning sections and I recommend it to gain a deeper understanding of the aftermath of the war, which is often glossed over.
June 18, 2017
A good read but it was lacking something which is why I gave it 3 Stars. With good characterization I feel emotionally involved but I found it missing. I enjoyed the novel but I was pleased to finish and move on.
February 13, 2017
The liberation by kate Furnival is a historical romance read.
The Liberation is set in Italy in 1945 as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated country and Italy’s population fights to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate – her father is dead, her mother has disappeared and her brother is being drawn towards danger. One morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, Caterina is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her own life and in doing so forges a future in which she must clear her father's name. An Allied Army officer accuses him of treason and Caterina discovers a plot against her family. Who can she trust and who is the real enemy now? And will the secrets of the past be her downfall?
A fantastic read with brilliant characters. Very cleverly written. caterina was my favourite character. I loved the story too. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.
The Liberation is set in Italy in 1945 as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated country and Italy’s population fights to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate – her father is dead, her mother has disappeared and her brother is being drawn towards danger. One morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, Caterina is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her own life and in doing so forges a future in which she must clear her father's name. An Allied Army officer accuses him of treason and Caterina discovers a plot against her family. Who can she trust and who is the real enemy now? And will the secrets of the past be her downfall?
A fantastic read with brilliant characters. Very cleverly written. caterina was my favourite character. I loved the story too. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.
April 16, 2017
A friend sent me this book and when I first set eyes on it I wasn't sure. I seemed out of context with my current reading trends. I was so wrong - this is a brilliant book! Set in Italy in 1945 where everything was complete mayhem and life brutally hard, the story follows Caterina who discovers a secret about her late father which leads her into a devastating and dangerous series of events, and at the same time she encounters an American soldier...
The story moves at quite a pace, but the quality of the writing never falters. The descriptive powers of this author are breathtaking, and I simply couldn't put the book down.
Five stars and best in year; would I read it again? Most definitely, and now I'll read more of this author.
The story moves at quite a pace, but the quality of the writing never falters. The descriptive powers of this author are breathtaking, and I simply couldn't put the book down.
Five stars and best in year; would I read it again? Most definitely, and now I'll read more of this author.
December 7, 2016
This book is long. But, never once did I get bored. The author has a well developed storyline. The characters are fully fleshed out , so you connect with them. But the ending is brilliant. I did not figure it out until it was revealed in the underground catacomb tunnels under Sorrento Italy. The historical details is s welcome addition to the other wonderful elements of this book.
December 30, 2016
A beautiful, epic, sprawling novel that fired and hooked me like Gone with the Wind did so many years ago. All the ingredients of a classic are here - the feisty heroine, Caterina, the romantic war-torn setting, secrets and revenge, family honour, and ultimately love. I savoured every page, and feel bereft now it's done. Wonderful!
November 15, 2016
Last year I read and totally enjoyed Kate Furnivall's "The Italian Wife", so I started reading "The Liberation" with my expectations highly set - I really expected a lot from this novel and from this author. And believe me, guys, it is a long book, with almost 600 pages, but there was not a single dull moment and the author kept me in dark, adding a lot of tension and suspense , and I. Loved. This. Book. Everything there had its own place and even though it started relatively slowly - but hey, with such a long book there is no pressure, right, and it was brilliant that the author took her time to slowly introduce us to all the threads in this very complex, very advanced and expanded plot - there came a moment that I couldn't get enough of the reading, that I couldn't put the book down.
The story is set in Italy, post - war, with the British and American soldiers still present in the country, trying to bring order back to Italian lives. When Catarina Lombardi was only ten, her mother has left her family, abandoning her and her baby brother and leaving her father as a single - parent, and also causing a scandal in the traditional Italy. Now, eleven years later, it is 1945 and the war is over, but it is far away from Naples living in peace - hence the American and British soldiers staying there. Caterina lives now with only her young brother and a blind grandfather, as her father has been killed when working in his workshop by a bomb explosion, so it is up to Caterina to keep the heads above the water. She stepped into her father shoes and is now creating beautiful boxes and items from wood that she sells in Naples, often to the soldiers. But when two of them, out of the blue, visit her at home, disturbing, turbulent and eventful times come for Caterina and she soon finds herself fighting for her own, as well as for her family's, lives, freedom and desperately trying to discover the truth about her family's past. Is she going to find answers to all her questions? Is she going to bring danger on her family?
The writing is so rich and so full of imagination and Kate Furnivall has transported me with her descriptions effortlessly to Italy and the tension and uncertainty was palpable through the pages, the Italy was bustling and the characters were effortlessly brought to life. They are so incredibly well developed and Catarina is a brilliant lead character - she was strong - willed, she wasn't afraid to put herself into dangerous situations only to help her family and to clean the honour of her father; she was stubborn and she had a great ability to find the truth and she never took any prisoners, and she only felt satisfied when she's seen things with her own eyes, which of course led her to many dangerous situations and often endangered her own life. But in my eyes she was a real inspiration, she was bold, incredibly loyal and searching.
There were many characters introduced to us in this story and the author has made them all so complex personalities, and I really wasn't sure who is there to help Caterina, and who is there to disturb her. It often happens that you feel almost paranoid when reading about such characters however not in this story. It kept me on my toes, it made me feel suspicious but it also made me fell incredibly intrigued and I wanted to discover who is the person I can trust. Every single character was so very significant to the plot, even the most background ones, and their appearance always added a new question, a new curveball and I loved, I simply loved, how in the end, somehow, all the characters and their stories, come together.
Kate Furnivall described life in Italy with so many small details and captured all the problems, fears and tension that bothered people in those times, and it was often so heart - breaking to see what people were forced to do only to survive. She has described the groups of children running wild on the streets, she has told us how the women needed to earn their bread and what kind of things kept people stay alive when Italy was trying to run again after the war. She has also shown how corruption, conspiracies worked and how hard it was for people like Caterina, people who were honest and didn't want to hurt anybody, to survive.
One the main mysteries in the book is the one about Caterina's father, Roberto - it seemed he was being involved in things that Caterina didn't want to believe in, that she wanted to shut out. Among this mystery all the others are built, creating a story with multiple layers, slowly falling away and making the novel incredibly hooking. Among the team being involved in the investigations are Jake and Harry, two American soldiers who are trying - or maybe disturbing - Caterina to find the truth, as it seems that her beloved father has known much more than his daughter thought. And it was really this moment when the book took off and never stopped - the author fed us with new information and details but in a way that I've never felt overwhelmed or confused.
The way the author was adding clues and tips was so, so clever and subtle! But personally, I haven't predicted what was coming, I didn't guess any of the threads and for me it is a sign of a really brilliant, cleverly plotted story. I enjoyed the fact that the author took me on a curvy rollercoaster journey with her story, I just went with the flow and more than once I wanted to gasp in horror, more than once I wanted to shout to Caterina to be cautious and more than once I found myself totally surprised with the turn of events.
This story is masterfully plotted! I often found myself holding my breath at the new curveball, at the incredible web of lies, secrets and understatements, and how the Italian traditional family bonds, how the view that the family honour is the most important thing in the world could change lives. I, with a great joy and admiration, watched how those secrets were slowly being resolved and how all the pieces of the puzzles found their places. I also can't express enough how much I admired the lot of work and research that the author for certain has put into writing this novel. It was grand, complex story with many layers and I couldn't wait for them to be peeled back, to see what's hidden and what exciting things are to come yet. "The Liberation" is an epic tale. It is a power house of a story. It is full of brilliantly developed and expressive characters with their own distinctive voices and stories that added a lot of tension. There is mystery to be solved, dazzlingly tangled, not at all obvious but rather keeping you on your toes and getting under your skin, as you are desperate to know what has really happened. There is suspense, there is romance and this all in the right quantity and masterfully and skilfully dosed throughout the whole story. The writing is beautiful, engaging and rich in descriptions and details but not in the way that makes you want to skip some of them because there are too many of them - I personally didn't want to skip a single word, as for me they were all so important and significant. It is a story of love and hate, of loss and win, of honour, loyalty and hope. It is full of heart - breaking moments as well as many uplifting moments, it is a historical fiction with a difference and I will be recommending it to all my friends - it is a book that shouldn't be missed!
Copy received in return for an honest review.
September 1, 2020
The Liberation is set in post-WWII Italy where the country is still suffering through the aftermath of the war. Caterina Lombardi lost her father when his workshop was bombed 2 years ago and 10 years ago, her mother left them for another man. All she has is her beloved but blind grandfather and her 10 year old brother, Luca. She is doing her best to find the means to feed them and soon, she would do her damnedest to keep them alive & safe.
The Allied Forces are putting some of their people in positions of power to assist the country recover. Major Jake Parr is an Intelligence Officer investigating stolen artefacts and he heard rumours that Caterina's father was involved. Caterina denied knowing anything but others, who mean her & her family much harm, think otherwise. Together, Caterina and Jake will find the men who are responsible for the missing artefacts.
I hated the prologue! I guess it was kind of necessary in the end but I think I could do with a different prologue. Nevertheless, the story captivated me pretty immediately after and especially Caterina with her wiles, courage, and determination. She is absolutely amazing even if sometimes, I thought, how did you know how to do such a thing? But war really changes a person and it's all possible especially when it was sort of proven near the end that women are just as resourceful as men. The novel was too long to be a single sitting read (especially if you have kids to feed!) but I devoured it as soon as I could.
The Liberation is a story of love, betrayal, and courage. The courage to seek the truth. The courage to face your fears in the face. The courage to forgive.
The Allied Forces are putting some of their people in positions of power to assist the country recover. Major Jake Parr is an Intelligence Officer investigating stolen artefacts and he heard rumours that Caterina's father was involved. Caterina denied knowing anything but others, who mean her & her family much harm, think otherwise. Together, Caterina and Jake will find the men who are responsible for the missing artefacts.
I hated the prologue! I guess it was kind of necessary in the end but I think I could do with a different prologue. Nevertheless, the story captivated me pretty immediately after and especially Caterina with her wiles, courage, and determination. She is absolutely amazing even if sometimes, I thought, how did you know how to do such a thing? But war really changes a person and it's all possible especially when it was sort of proven near the end that women are just as resourceful as men. The novel was too long to be a single sitting read (especially if you have kids to feed!) but I devoured it as soon as I could.
The Liberation is a story of love, betrayal, and courage. The courage to seek the truth. The courage to face your fears in the face. The courage to forgive.
June 19, 2017
The Liberation
By Kate Furnivall
Synopsis
Italy, 1945: as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated cities, its population fights each other to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate - her mother has abandoned them already and her brother is being drawn into the mafia. Early one morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, she is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her family and in doing so forges a future very different to the one she expected. But will the secrets of her family's past be her downfall? This epic novel is an unforgettably powerful story of love, loss and the long shadow of war.
Review
The Liberation effortlessly transports the reader back to post war Italy. In 1945, Italy is a country torn apart by fascism and tragedy and war. Caterina is horrified to discover that her father was a criminal who stole precious artifacts. These rumors don't gel with the memory of a loving father and a master craftsman whose only wish was to feed his family and create beautiful objects. Soon Caterina is walking a dangerous path where asking questions can get you killed.
Kate Furnivall writes great historical fiction, she effortlessly combines historical events with evocative stories that are simply mesmerizing
4 stars.
By Kate Furnivall
Synopsis
Italy, 1945: as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated cities, its population fights each other to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate - her mother has abandoned them already and her brother is being drawn into the mafia. Early one morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, she is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her family and in doing so forges a future very different to the one she expected. But will the secrets of her family's past be her downfall? This epic novel is an unforgettably powerful story of love, loss and the long shadow of war.
Review
The Liberation effortlessly transports the reader back to post war Italy. In 1945, Italy is a country torn apart by fascism and tragedy and war. Caterina is horrified to discover that her father was a criminal who stole precious artifacts. These rumors don't gel with the memory of a loving father and a master craftsman whose only wish was to feed his family and create beautiful objects. Soon Caterina is walking a dangerous path where asking questions can get you killed.
Kate Furnivall writes great historical fiction, she effortlessly combines historical events with evocative stories that are simply mesmerizing
4 stars.
January 21, 2019
Started off ok and it’s s very plot-driven novel. Not a problem in itself (so are Hardy and Dickens) but I need to connect with at least one character for a book to work for me, and I just didn’t.
Good story and well-written and inventive and if you love a fast-moving plot then this is your cup of tea
Good story and well-written and inventive and if you love a fast-moving plot then this is your cup of tea
March 8, 2019
A jolly good whodunwhatandwhy plus a little romance set in Naples, Sorrento and Capri Italy, though some of the characters are just too good at suddenly being badass. Would make an excellent Telemovie.
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