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La ragazza nel giardino degli ulivi
Toscana, 1944. Nella splendida tenuta della contessa Sofia de’ Corsi la pace tra gli ulivi è bruscamente interrotta dall’arrivo dei soldati nazisti. L’antico palazzo medievale nel cuore della lussureggiante campagna toscana non è più un rifugio sicuro; come non lo sono le case del borgo, i cui abitanti diventano oggetto delle vessazioni dei tedeschi. Sofia tenta disperatamente di offrire protezione a quante più persone possibile, senza però rivelarlo a suo marito Lorenzo, preoccupato per le ritorsioni che l’altruismo della moglie potrebbe scatenare. Quando Maxine, una giovane reporter italoamericana, arriva in Italia con l’intenzione di raccontare le imprese degli Alleati, i destini delle due donne si intrecciano: Sofia e Maxine si ritrovano intrappolate in un gioco pericoloso che le costringerà a ricorrere a qualunque espediente pur di salvare quelli che amano…
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2020
292 people are currently reading
1759 people want to read
About the author
Dinah Jefferies
23 books1,287 followers*Breaking News* Richard & Judy pick THE TEA PLANTERS WIFE for their autumn bookclub 2015. Here's what Santa Montefiore said: ‘My ideal read; mystery, love, heart-break and joy – I couldn’t put it down.’
Here's what Richard Madeley said. "The Tea Planter’s Wife is so much more than a conventional love story, with all its twists and turns and guilt and betrayal...deeply impressive. The fetid, steamy atmosphere of the tropics rises from these pages like a humid mist. We are on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon and 19 year old Gwendolyn Hooper is the new bride of the owner, a wealthy and charming widower. But her romantic dreams of marriage are overshadowed by echoes from the past – an old trunk of musty dresses; an overgrown and neglected gravestone in the grounds. Her new husband refuses to talk about them. Gwen’s perfect man is becoming a perfect stranger…"
Quote from the great author Kate Furnivall about my first book THE SEPARATION:
'A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love. Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skilfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. THE SEPARATION is a gripping and intelligent read.'
In 1985, the sudden death of Dinah Jefferies’ fourteen year old son brought her life to a standstill. She drew on that experience, and on her own childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s to write her debut novel, The Separation. The guns piled high on the hall table when the rubber planters came into town for a party, the colour and noise of Chinatown, the houses on stilts, and the lizards that left their tails behind.
Now living in Gloucestershire, Dinah once lived in Tuscany working as an au pair for an Italian countess; she has also lived in a ‘hippy’ rock’n roll commune based in an Elizabethan manor house, but started writing when she was living in a small 16th Century village in Spain.
Here's what Richard Madeley said. "The Tea Planter’s Wife is so much more than a conventional love story, with all its twists and turns and guilt and betrayal...deeply impressive. The fetid, steamy atmosphere of the tropics rises from these pages like a humid mist. We are on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon and 19 year old Gwendolyn Hooper is the new bride of the owner, a wealthy and charming widower. But her romantic dreams of marriage are overshadowed by echoes from the past – an old trunk of musty dresses; an overgrown and neglected gravestone in the grounds. Her new husband refuses to talk about them. Gwen’s perfect man is becoming a perfect stranger…"
Quote from the great author Kate Furnivall about my first book THE SEPARATION:
'A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love. Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skilfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. THE SEPARATION is a gripping and intelligent read.'
In 1985, the sudden death of Dinah Jefferies’ fourteen year old son brought her life to a standstill. She drew on that experience, and on her own childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s to write her debut novel, The Separation. The guns piled high on the hall table when the rubber planters came into town for a party, the colour and noise of Chinatown, the houses on stilts, and the lizards that left their tails behind.
Now living in Gloucestershire, Dinah once lived in Tuscany working as an au pair for an Italian countess; she has also lived in a ‘hippy’ rock’n roll commune based in an Elizabethan manor house, but started writing when she was living in a small 16th Century village in Spain.
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July 19, 2020
After Maxine had arrived from the US, she was recruited in London, trained for a few short weeks then airlifted to Tuscany to engage with the resistance, passing on information via a radio operator back to London. Her job was a dangerous one, but so was everyone’s in that time in the 1940s when the Germans were flexing their muscles and their cruelty. When Maxine arrived at the home of Contessa Sofia de’Corsi and her husband Lorenzo, she found a house of mainly women. Seventeen-year-old Aldo, Carla’s son, was the only male while Lorenzo was absent, and that was often. When a wounded airman arrived on their doorstep, Sofia tended to him until they could remove him to the care of the nuns. The risks were great, but worth it.
Over time, the partisans won some skirmishes and lost some; men were lost with reprisals by the Germans swift. Maxine continued with her work, meeting many loyal men, Marco being one of them. The games they all played at outwitting the Germans sometimes cut close to the bone – would this war ever end? And with all the losses they had endured, would their loved ones survive?
The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies was a heartbreaking story of a certain period in WWII when the Germans advanced on Tuscany, while decimating Paris and Florence, all places where Sofia and other characters had loved ones. Well written, beautifully described, this author has the ability to paint verbal pictures that are easy to visualize. Hope, love, determination and loyalty fill The Tuscan Contessa and I have no hesitation in recommending it highly to fans of the genre.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Over time, the partisans won some skirmishes and lost some; men were lost with reprisals by the Germans swift. Maxine continued with her work, meeting many loyal men, Marco being one of them. The games they all played at outwitting the Germans sometimes cut close to the bone – would this war ever end? And with all the losses they had endured, would their loved ones survive?
The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies was a heartbreaking story of a certain period in WWII when the Germans advanced on Tuscany, while decimating Paris and Florence, all places where Sofia and other characters had loved ones. Well written, beautifully described, this author has the ability to paint verbal pictures that are easy to visualize. Hope, love, determination and loyalty fill The Tuscan Contessa and I have no hesitation in recommending it highly to fans of the genre.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Books UK and Dinah Jefferies for my copy of The Tuscan Contessa.
In 1940s Tuscany, Contessa Sofia de' Corsi's lives in a beautiful medieval villa with her husband Lorenzo near the village of Castello and she’s dreading the arrival of the retreating German army. For years Italy has been in turmoil, currently the fascists support the German’s and the Italian resistance or partisans support the approaching Allies. Lorenzo leaves home to work secretly for the Allies in Rome, Sofia is left to run the estate with the help of her loyal cook Carla and she’s fights back as best as she can against the German oppression.
After Lorenzo leaves for Rome, Sofia meets Maxine and she’s a spy for the Allies. Maxine grew up in New York, her parents came from a little village called Caprioni in Italy and she can speak fluent Italian and unlike a man she can move more freely around the country and not look as suspicions. Her job is to gather as much information as she can; she passes it on to the resistance and the British army. The Allies are getting close to liberating all of Italy but due to the weather its slow going, Sofia is praying they arrive very soon because the Germans are ruthless, they kill anyone who helps the resistance and everyone is starving.
I enjoyed reading The Tuscan Contessa; it’s a book about sacrifice, espionage, intrigue, duty, loyalty and love. Both Sofia and Maxine are very strong determined women, they proved to be too much for the Germans to handle and I gave the book four stars. I have shared my review on Goodreads, NetGalley, Amazon Australia, Kobo, Twitter, Waterstones, and my blog. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
In 1940s Tuscany, Contessa Sofia de' Corsi's lives in a beautiful medieval villa with her husband Lorenzo near the village of Castello and she’s dreading the arrival of the retreating German army. For years Italy has been in turmoil, currently the fascists support the German’s and the Italian resistance or partisans support the approaching Allies. Lorenzo leaves home to work secretly for the Allies in Rome, Sofia is left to run the estate with the help of her loyal cook Carla and she’s fights back as best as she can against the German oppression.
After Lorenzo leaves for Rome, Sofia meets Maxine and she’s a spy for the Allies. Maxine grew up in New York, her parents came from a little village called Caprioni in Italy and she can speak fluent Italian and unlike a man she can move more freely around the country and not look as suspicions. Her job is to gather as much information as she can; she passes it on to the resistance and the British army. The Allies are getting close to liberating all of Italy but due to the weather its slow going, Sofia is praying they arrive very soon because the Germans are ruthless, they kill anyone who helps the resistance and everyone is starving.
I enjoyed reading The Tuscan Contessa; it’s a book about sacrifice, espionage, intrigue, duty, loyalty and love. Both Sofia and Maxine are very strong determined women, they proved to be too much for the Germans to handle and I gave the book four stars. I have shared my review on Goodreads, NetGalley, Amazon Australia, Kobo, Twitter, Waterstones, and my blog. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
December 16, 2021
This story has little resemblance to the cover which is pretty but misleading. The book takes the reader to a time in Italy in the 2nd WW of 1943 when Italy has changed alliances to the Allies which has caused the escalation of the brutality of the Black Shirts and the Nazis to everyone.
Sophia, Contessa of Castello de' Corsi reflects on university life in Florence before the war with husband Lorenzo, the Conte. Since Italy changed alliances, Lorenzo, although working in the Italian ministry of Agriculture, like everyone else is now subjected to martial law and the fascist German army for which he needs to carry his signed fascist identity card all the time. Sophia's parents, now in Rome, have refused to sign the cards and work for the resistance. Lorenzo's position is tenuous as he is helping the Allies.
Rome, an Italian American girl encounters a group of Black Shirts kicking an old man and without thinking of the danger to herself in order to stop this brutality decides to deflect the situation and she invites the bullies for free drinks at a bar that's still open. While they drink Maxine leaves via the back door and manages to get the old man into a courtyard where she asks for two people she has been given as contacts, she is informed they are living nearby. Maxine is working for the British to try and determine the partisan activity and groups. The Italians, unlike the French resistance, are working as separate rabble lots, some communists, some patriots.
At the Castello, the household staff of Carla, daughter Anna and son Aldo assist Sophia. A man has been discovered by Aldo whose parachute had tangled and he has been shot. It's finally discovered that he is an Englishman, James and to attend to his bullet wound he is taken to the convent, taking him to a doctor would mean trouble. He is in Tuscany to set up radio transmissions giving details to the allies of the resistance and enemy activities from the information he receives from his contact who turns out to be Maxine, yet to arrive at the Castello. The radio is parachuted in and initially set up in the tower. Maxine (Massimo) arrives and on advice from her two contacts in Rome, Sophia's parents, speaks privately to Sophia giving her a small box with a coded message. As bad luck would have it a Nazis Kommandant arrives after earlier inviting himself on the need to speak to Lorenzo. Maxine's arrival creates a small awkwardness but the ever cool hostess calmly explains the visitor away to the Kommandant. After Maxine changes into one of Sophia's dresses her beauty is obvious to everyone and any further questioning dissolves into thin air.
All these characters, including the head of a partisan group Marco play key roles in the story. Marco and Maxine (Massimo) have a love affair amidst the escalating war. The Allies are making slow progress to Rome and the German's and Black Shirt's brutality to Italians is increasing. The resistance plays key roles in disrupting the German war machine but retaliation to ordinary citizens is severe and barbaric. All play a part in their own fighting and survival effort with terrible family losses. Sophia in her position as Countess has a particularly difficult role in having to put up with German hierarchy as well as assisting the resistance wherever possible and at the same time maintaining her dignity and strength for the farming families that surround the district. Her initial thoughts of Maxine was that she was undisciplined but the gung-ho bravery is her American half, her independant life brought up in freedom. However in time the two become very close with Sophia warming to her. There are losses to the village and the small household of the Castello with much grieving. Maxine's own bravery is tested as does Sophia's inner strength with personal losses and anguish for Lorenzo.
Sophia, Contessa of Castello de' Corsi reflects on university life in Florence before the war with husband Lorenzo, the Conte. Since Italy changed alliances, Lorenzo, although working in the Italian ministry of Agriculture, like everyone else is now subjected to martial law and the fascist German army for which he needs to carry his signed fascist identity card all the time. Sophia's parents, now in Rome, have refused to sign the cards and work for the resistance. Lorenzo's position is tenuous as he is helping the Allies.
Rome, an Italian American girl encounters a group of Black Shirts kicking an old man and without thinking of the danger to herself in order to stop this brutality decides to deflect the situation and she invites the bullies for free drinks at a bar that's still open. While they drink Maxine leaves via the back door and manages to get the old man into a courtyard where she asks for two people she has been given as contacts, she is informed they are living nearby. Maxine is working for the British to try and determine the partisan activity and groups. The Italians, unlike the French resistance, are working as separate rabble lots, some communists, some patriots.
At the Castello, the household staff of Carla, daughter Anna and son Aldo assist Sophia. A man has been discovered by Aldo whose parachute had tangled and he has been shot. It's finally discovered that he is an Englishman, James and to attend to his bullet wound he is taken to the convent, taking him to a doctor would mean trouble. He is in Tuscany to set up radio transmissions giving details to the allies of the resistance and enemy activities from the information he receives from his contact who turns out to be Maxine, yet to arrive at the Castello. The radio is parachuted in and initially set up in the tower. Maxine (Massimo) arrives and on advice from her two contacts in Rome, Sophia's parents, speaks privately to Sophia giving her a small box with a coded message. As bad luck would have it a Nazis Kommandant arrives after earlier inviting himself on the need to speak to Lorenzo. Maxine's arrival creates a small awkwardness but the ever cool hostess calmly explains the visitor away to the Kommandant. After Maxine changes into one of Sophia's dresses her beauty is obvious to everyone and any further questioning dissolves into thin air.
All these characters, including the head of a partisan group Marco play key roles in the story. Marco and Maxine (Massimo) have a love affair amidst the escalating war. The Allies are making slow progress to Rome and the German's and Black Shirt's brutality to Italians is increasing. The resistance plays key roles in disrupting the German war machine but retaliation to ordinary citizens is severe and barbaric. All play a part in their own fighting and survival effort with terrible family losses. Sophia in her position as Countess has a particularly difficult role in having to put up with German hierarchy as well as assisting the resistance wherever possible and at the same time maintaining her dignity and strength for the farming families that surround the district. Her initial thoughts of Maxine was that she was undisciplined but the gung-ho bravery is her American half, her independant life brought up in freedom. However in time the two become very close with Sophia warming to her. There are losses to the village and the small household of the Castello with much grieving. Maxine's own bravery is tested as does Sophia's inner strength with personal losses and anguish for Lorenzo.
January 12, 2021
Contesa din Toscana-Dinah Jefferies
Din păcate pentru mine acest început de an ,a fost în proporție de 90 % cu cărți ce nu am rezonat.
Aceasta este una dintre ele...este prima carte a autoarei, dar nu mi s-a părut bună, părere subiectivă...chiar neverosimilă cu toate că am văzut la sfârșitul cărții ca menționează ca s-a documentat pt aceasta carte.
Carte cumpărată de soț, eu as fi fugit de ea,din cauza copertei (nu-mi plac războaiele, nici măcar să citesc despre ele.
Spoiler alert
Italia la începutul războiului a luptat alături de Aliati, dar au semnat armistitiu cu Germania, asa ca pe lângă războiul mondial, acum mai era și razboiul civil,ce împărțea oamenii in două tabere: cu sau împotriva fascismului.
Maxine, este recrutata și devine spion, asa ca părăsește New York pt a trece prin Londra, având ca scop final Italia-Roma, pentru a încerca să ducă și să preia informații pentru partizani(m-a uimit trecerea ei,modul cum reușea să călătorească din oraș în oraș). Din Roma,trebuie să ajungă în Toscana la Contesa Sofia ,aceasta din urmă trebuind sa-i ofere ajutor. Plus ca soseste exact în seara cand primeau un comandant neamț, dar au reușit să-l ducă de nas...
Lorenzo, soțul Sofiei este mai mult plecat de acasa ,iar Sofia se implica din ce in ce mai mult in ajutarea partizanilor sa lupte impotriva naziștilor.
Mie personal nu mi s-a părut credibilă, adica Sofia și Maxine,Marco reusesc sa faca câteva drumuri Toscana -Roma, dus -întors...sa nu mai zic cand a dereiat trenul ...nu stiu cum au reușit să scape părinții Sofiei cu Maxine...(Din moment ce naziștii oprisera trenul pentru a-i împușca).
Din păcate pentru mine acest început de an ,a fost în proporție de 90 % cu cărți ce nu am rezonat.
Aceasta este una dintre ele...este prima carte a autoarei, dar nu mi s-a părut bună, părere subiectivă...chiar neverosimilă cu toate că am văzut la sfârșitul cărții ca menționează ca s-a documentat pt aceasta carte.
Carte cumpărată de soț, eu as fi fugit de ea,din cauza copertei (nu-mi plac războaiele, nici măcar să citesc despre ele.
Spoiler alert
Italia la începutul războiului a luptat alături de Aliati, dar au semnat armistitiu cu Germania, asa ca pe lângă războiul mondial, acum mai era și razboiul civil,ce împărțea oamenii in două tabere: cu sau împotriva fascismului.
Maxine, este recrutata și devine spion, asa ca părăsește New York pt a trece prin Londra, având ca scop final Italia-Roma, pentru a încerca să ducă și să preia informații pentru partizani(m-a uimit trecerea ei,modul cum reușea să călătorească din oraș în oraș). Din Roma,trebuie să ajungă în Toscana la Contesa Sofia ,aceasta din urmă trebuind sa-i ofere ajutor. Plus ca soseste exact în seara cand primeau un comandant neamț, dar au reușit să-l ducă de nas...
Lorenzo, soțul Sofiei este mai mult plecat de acasa ,iar Sofia se implica din ce in ce mai mult in ajutarea partizanilor sa lupte impotriva naziștilor.
Mie personal nu mi s-a părut credibilă, adica Sofia și Maxine,Marco reusesc sa faca câteva drumuri Toscana -Roma, dus -întors...sa nu mai zic cand a dereiat trenul ...nu stiu cum au reușit să scape părinții Sofiei cu Maxine...(Din moment ce naziștii oprisera trenul pentru a-i împușca).
December 5, 2020
O carte foarte frumoasa in dulcele stil al autoarei💜O poveste diferita despre razboi, o poveste despre spioni si cei care lupta impotriva nazistilor. O carte in care am vazut cum razboiul ia apropiat pe oamenii in moduri total neasteptate. Autoarea ma facut sa imi creez in minte un total alt final, dar cel care a fost este mult mai bun decat ce a creat minte mea😃Prietenie, moarte, greseli, lupta, dragoste, descrieri ale frumoasei Toscana, o poveste frumoasa🥰
August 5, 2022
1943-ieji Italija. Jaukiame dvare Toskanoje dienas leidžia grafienė Sofija de Korsi kartu su savo vyru Lorencu. Ji naiviai tikisi, jog karas aplenks jos namus. Sofija - moteris, kuri turi drąsos bei ryžto pasipriešinti tam, kas jai nėra priimtina. Taip jos namuose atsiduria sužeistss britų radistas.
Italė, tačiau Amerikoje užaugusi Maksina atvyksta į Toskaną. Jos tikslas - įsilieti į partizanų būrį. Nutinka taip, jog susikerta Sofijos bei Maksinos keliai. Dvi moterys, kurios yra pasiryžusios kovoti už savo bei kitų tautiečių laisvę. Jos abi puikiai žino, jog velniškai rizikuoja, tačiau yra pasiryžusios aukotis, kad ir kiek joms tai kainuotų.
Tai nebuvo visiškai lengvas skaitinys, kurio galbūt tikėjausi prieš paimdama šią knygą į rankas. Tikrai pagauli bei jausminga istorija, kurioje buvo gausu visko : draugystės, meilės, išdavystės bei pasiaukojimo. Taip pat ši knyga buvo ir apie viltį. Kartais tik ji vienintelė ir palaikydavo žmones, net ir pačiose sunkiausiose situacijose.
Skaitydama "Toskanos grafienė" žavėjausi Sofija bei jos bendražyge Maksina. Šios abi moterys be galo skirtingos, bet tuo pačiu ir panašios. Jos abi kovotojos už teisybę bei gėrį. Skaudi, jautri, bet tuo pačiu ir teikianti vilties knyga. Galiu lažintis, jog tikrai patiks istorinių romanų gerbėjams ✨
Italė, tačiau Amerikoje užaugusi Maksina atvyksta į Toskaną. Jos tikslas - įsilieti į partizanų būrį. Nutinka taip, jog susikerta Sofijos bei Maksinos keliai. Dvi moterys, kurios yra pasiryžusios kovoti už savo bei kitų tautiečių laisvę. Jos abi puikiai žino, jog velniškai rizikuoja, tačiau yra pasiryžusios aukotis, kad ir kiek joms tai kainuotų.
Tai nebuvo visiškai lengvas skaitinys, kurio galbūt tikėjausi prieš paimdama šią knygą į rankas. Tikrai pagauli bei jausminga istorija, kurioje buvo gausu visko : draugystės, meilės, išdavystės bei pasiaukojimo. Taip pat ši knyga buvo ir apie viltį. Kartais tik ji vienintelė ir palaikydavo žmones, net ir pačiose sunkiausiose situacijose.
Skaitydama "Toskanos grafienė" žavėjausi Sofija bei jos bendražyge Maksina. Šios abi moterys be galo skirtingos, bet tuo pačiu ir panašios. Jos abi kovotojos už teisybę bei gėrį. Skaudi, jautri, bet tuo pačiu ir teikianti vilties knyga. Galiu lažintis, jog tikrai patiks istorinių romanų gerbėjams ✨
March 19, 2024
Neplanuotai Dinah Jefferies tapo rašytoja, kurios visas verstines knygas perskaičiau, bet negalėčiau ją vadinti savo mėgstamiausia.
Eilinį kartą, akį labai traukia patrauklus viršelis, o jos turinys irgi vertas dėmesio.
Kaip visada yra meilės linijų, nuotykių ir netikėtų posūkio vingių.
Jos knygos man patinka dėl meilės istorijų, kuriose vyrauja įdomi istorinė linija ir veiksmas vyksta kokioje labai puikioje vietoje.
Ši knyga man buvo viena iš įdomesnių.
Eilinį kartą, akį labai traukia patrauklus viršelis, o jos turinys irgi vertas dėmesio.
Kaip visada yra meilės linijų, nuotykių ir netikėtų posūkio vingių.
Jos knygos man patinka dėl meilės istorijų, kuriose vyrauja įdomi istorinė linija ir veiksmas vyksta kokioje labai puikioje vietoje.
Ši knyga man buvo viena iš įdomesnių.
June 29, 2025
Skaičiau visas šios autorės knygas, išverstas į lietuvių kalbą, ir visos jos man labai patiko. Užkabino mane ji su savo romanu Arbatos plantatoriaus žmona ir nebepaleido, kol neperskaičiau visų knygų.
Toskanos grafienė yra naujausia knyga, kurios nebuvau skaičiusi. Tai istorija apie moterų bendrystę, stiprybę, ištikimybę ir drąsą II-ojo pasaulinio karo metais. Abi pagrindinės veikėjos pavaizduojamos kaip stiprios ir ryžtingos. Nors prisipažinsiu, kad Sofija savo verkšlenimu ir skystumu ne kartą mane erzino ir norėjosi jai vožtelti. Nepaisant to ji veikė ir rizikavo ne ką mažiau nei kiti pasipriešinimo dalyviai.
Ir visgi buvo nuobodu, neužkabino tiek, kad perskaičius sakyčiau wow, kokia nuostabi knyga! Įtampos netrūko. Buvo ir liūdesio, ir gailesčio, bet manęs neįtikino. Galbūt dėl to, kad jau labai daug istorijų šia tema perskaitytų ir tikrai labiau paliečiančių.
Toskanos grafienė yra naujausia knyga, kurios nebuvau skaičiusi. Tai istorija apie moterų bendrystę, stiprybę, ištikimybę ir drąsą II-ojo pasaulinio karo metais. Abi pagrindinės veikėjos pavaizduojamos kaip stiprios ir ryžtingos. Nors prisipažinsiu, kad Sofija savo verkšlenimu ir skystumu ne kartą mane erzino ir norėjosi jai vožtelti. Nepaisant to ji veikė ir rizikavo ne ką mažiau nei kiti pasipriešinimo dalyviai.
Ir visgi buvo nuobodu, neužkabino tiek, kad perskaičius sakyčiau wow, kokia nuostabi knyga! Įtampos netrūko. Buvo ir liūdesio, ir gailesčio, bet manęs neįtikino. Galbūt dėl to, kad jau labai daug istorijų šia tema perskaitytų ir tikrai labiau paliečiančių.
March 31, 2022
Mi-a plăcut cartea dar nu atât cât m-am așteptat; coperta superbă dar și faptul că este ficțiune istorică m-au făcut să o doresc, însă ceva i-a lipsit, nu știu acum să spun ce, începutul a fost foarte promițător însă pe parcurs și-a mai pierdut puțin din farmec.
Acțiunea ne poartă începând cu anul 1943, prin Italia în timpul celui de-al Doilea Război Mondial.
Sofia este contesa la care se face referire în titlu, este soția lui Lorenzo și locuiesc împreună la Castello de' Corsi din Toscana, o regiune frumos descrisă de autoare.
În scenă intră și Maxine, membră a Rezistenței, care este trimisă la Sofia de către părinții contesei. Maxine lucrează pt Aliați, ea dând mai departe informațiile pe care le află despre armata germană.
Dornică să îi ajute pe săteni Sofia ajunge să lucreze cu Maxine și începe prin a adăposti un soldat britanic rănit, ascunzându-l inclusiv de Lorenzo.
" Faptul că nu știai dacă persoana pe care o iubeai cel mai mult pe lume avea să mai fie în viață a doua zi, te făcea să o iubești și mai mult, te făcea să vrei să te agăți de ea și mai strâns , dar nu puteai. De asemenea , te făcea să vrei s-o protejezi, dar ca să faci asta trebuia să-i dai puțin drumul. Să te închizi puțin. Să-i lași spațiu să facă orice voia să facă. Dacă se agăța prea strans de Lorenzo el avea să sufere și mai mult când trebuia să plece. Mai bine să creadă că ea era în regulă, că era în siguranță."
În timp ce Aliații înaintau cu pași mici, partizanii erau tot mai implicati în acțiuni de sabotaj împotriva soldaților germani. Italienii nu luptau doar împotriva germanilor ci și împotriva dictaturii lui Mussolini.
Într-o astfel de lume este greu să ai încredere în oameni, nu îți dai seama în cine poți avea încredere și cine te-ar putea trăda.
Dinah Jefferies ne-a aratat aici o parte din frumusețea Italiei iar povestea bine documentată m-a ajutat să cunosc puțin din istoria acestei țări. Curajul, trădarea, sacrificiul, iubirea, pierderea dar și prietenia, pe toate le-am întâlnit aici. Cele 2 femei s-au trezit jucând un rol important și periculos în dorința de a-i apăra pe toți cei dragi de naziști . Recomand iubitorilor acestui gen.
"Toți visăm. E felul în care găsim sensul lucrurilor."
"Nu poți să fii slab sau să tolerezi slăbiciunea, dacă vrei să schimbi lumea."
Închei prin a vă arăta un citat care mi-a plăcut cel mai mult, un citat despre un simplu cuvant dar atat de dorit de toti oamenii: "PACE - ce cuvânt mic pentru ceva atât de mare, ceva pe care toți îl considerau de la sine înțeles până când îl pierdeau."
Acțiunea ne poartă începând cu anul 1943, prin Italia în timpul celui de-al Doilea Război Mondial.
Sofia este contesa la care se face referire în titlu, este soția lui Lorenzo și locuiesc împreună la Castello de' Corsi din Toscana, o regiune frumos descrisă de autoare.
În scenă intră și Maxine, membră a Rezistenței, care este trimisă la Sofia de către părinții contesei. Maxine lucrează pt Aliați, ea dând mai departe informațiile pe care le află despre armata germană.
Dornică să îi ajute pe săteni Sofia ajunge să lucreze cu Maxine și începe prin a adăposti un soldat britanic rănit, ascunzându-l inclusiv de Lorenzo.
" Faptul că nu știai dacă persoana pe care o iubeai cel mai mult pe lume avea să mai fie în viață a doua zi, te făcea să o iubești și mai mult, te făcea să vrei să te agăți de ea și mai strâns , dar nu puteai. De asemenea , te făcea să vrei s-o protejezi, dar ca să faci asta trebuia să-i dai puțin drumul. Să te închizi puțin. Să-i lași spațiu să facă orice voia să facă. Dacă se agăța prea strans de Lorenzo el avea să sufere și mai mult când trebuia să plece. Mai bine să creadă că ea era în regulă, că era în siguranță."
În timp ce Aliații înaintau cu pași mici, partizanii erau tot mai implicati în acțiuni de sabotaj împotriva soldaților germani. Italienii nu luptau doar împotriva germanilor ci și împotriva dictaturii lui Mussolini.
Într-o astfel de lume este greu să ai încredere în oameni, nu îți dai seama în cine poți avea încredere și cine te-ar putea trăda.
Dinah Jefferies ne-a aratat aici o parte din frumusețea Italiei iar povestea bine documentată m-a ajutat să cunosc puțin din istoria acestei țări. Curajul, trădarea, sacrificiul, iubirea, pierderea dar și prietenia, pe toate le-am întâlnit aici. Cele 2 femei s-au trezit jucând un rol important și periculos în dorința de a-i apăra pe toți cei dragi de naziști . Recomand iubitorilor acestui gen.
"Toți visăm. E felul în care găsim sensul lucrurilor."
"Nu poți să fii slab sau să tolerezi slăbiciunea, dacă vrei să schimbi lumea."
Închei prin a vă arăta un citat care mi-a plăcut cel mai mult, un citat despre un simplu cuvant dar atat de dorit de toti oamenii: "PACE - ce cuvânt mic pentru ceva atât de mare, ceva pe care toți îl considerau de la sine înțeles până când îl pierdeau."
February 13, 2021
Acţiunea romanului are loc în Italia, în anul 1943, an în care ţara trăia sub jugul lui Mussolini, dar şi a ocupaţiei naziste. Lorenzo este recrutat să transmită informaţii Aliaţilor, o misiune foarte periculoasă, drept urmare el este nevoit să lipsească mai des de acasă. Darul pe care acesta îl face Contesei este unul special şi ciudat: un pistol. Pe parcursul absenţei lui Lorenzo, Sofia îi are alături pe Maxine, membră a Rezistenţei, o prietenă de nădejde, dar şi un aliat puternic, pe James, un operator radio, paraşutat la moşie pentru a trimite informaţii Rezistenţei, pe Marco, un partizan înrăit şi inteligent. Datorită firii sale puternice, Sofia face o adevărată alianţă cu aceste personaje şi reuşesc să ascundă radio-ul de nemţi. Însă când este vizitată de locotenetul Kaufmann, iar acesta îi dă informaţii false, Sofia pur şi simplu îşi iese din minţi. Cum anume reacţionează când află veşti despre Lorenzo, cum îi salvează pe săteni prin tunelurile secrete ale castelului, dar mai ales dacă nemţii vor ucide personajele mele dragi trebuie să aflaţi citind filă cu filă acest roman.
O carte deosebit de frumoasă despre prietenie, curaj, protecţie, teama de a pierde pe cei dragi, secrete şi istorie.
“Războiul îi apropie pe oameni în moduri neaşteptate.”
Italia se afla atat in mijlocul celui De-al Doilea Razboi Mondial cat si scena unui Razboi Civil, iar femeile s-au aflat prinse la mijloc. Nu puteai sa ai incredere in nimeni, nu se gasea hrana suficienta, nimeni nu era in siguranta iar moartea te pandea in orice clipa, din cer, din padure, de pe mare, din munti, de pe drum, din fata, din spate, dupa colt. Toata lumea putea sa fie un dusman: vecinul, iubitul/iubita, chiar si cel mai bun prieten.
O poveste bine structurata, care te tine cu sufletul la gura de fiecare data cand Sofia, Maxina si Partizanii lupta pentru drepturile, credinta lor si pentru tara lor, de fapt pentru supravietuire, asumandu-si riscuri uriase.
Apreciez ca din ce in ce mai mult editiile romanesti ale romanelor din literature universala contemporana pastreaza copertile editiilor originale.
O carte deosebit de frumoasă despre prietenie, curaj, protecţie, teama de a pierde pe cei dragi, secrete şi istorie.
“Războiul îi apropie pe oameni în moduri neaşteptate.”
Italia se afla atat in mijlocul celui De-al Doilea Razboi Mondial cat si scena unui Razboi Civil, iar femeile s-au aflat prinse la mijloc. Nu puteai sa ai incredere in nimeni, nu se gasea hrana suficienta, nimeni nu era in siguranta iar moartea te pandea in orice clipa, din cer, din padure, de pe mare, din munti, de pe drum, din fata, din spate, dupa colt. Toata lumea putea sa fie un dusman: vecinul, iubitul/iubita, chiar si cel mai bun prieten.
O poveste bine structurata, care te tine cu sufletul la gura de fiecare data cand Sofia, Maxina si Partizanii lupta pentru drepturile, credinta lor si pentru tara lor, de fapt pentru supravietuire, asumandu-si riscuri uriase.
Apreciez ca din ce in ce mai mult editiile romanesti ale romanelor din literature universala contemporana pastreaza copertile editiilor originale.
August 17, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest story by the hugely talented, Dinah Jefferies. I have enjoyed every one of Dinah's books and although this one was different in that it was set in Italy during the second World War, I think that she has exceeded her writing abilitity with this book.
My heart was in my mouth many times as Sofia, Maxine and the Partisans stand up for their beliefs, rights, and for their Country, as they fought for their survival, taking huge risks and not knowing what to expect from one day to the next.
Who can they trust? Will they get caught? Will they and their loved ones survive and arrive home safe?!
It was so intense that I was scared of reading on at times, but I mean this in a good way; the authors talent for storytelling and because I liked the characters and just wanted them safe.
I loved the setting - the writing straight from the eyes of the author and the atmosphere just felt so alive; the author brought the story to life.
My heart went out to Sofia as she really had a tough time, yet she still looked out for the local people, offering help, lending an ear and her door was always open to them.
The story wouldn't be true to life, without the good and the bad scenes. The Nazis were awful, cruel, heartless people but so were the Fascists, who caused just as much destruction.
There are some great surprises that I couldn't have foreseen and the author tied up all the loose threads of the story perfectly.
I always say that I will never read a book twice, but I would happily read this book again.
5 stars?!! That's an insult! The Tuscan Contessa deserves all the stars, and more. I LOVED it!!
Thank you to the author and to Penguin Books UK via NetGalley for my arc copy.
This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
My heart was in my mouth many times as Sofia, Maxine and the Partisans stand up for their beliefs, rights, and for their Country, as they fought for their survival, taking huge risks and not knowing what to expect from one day to the next.
Who can they trust? Will they get caught? Will they and their loved ones survive and arrive home safe?!
It was so intense that I was scared of reading on at times, but I mean this in a good way; the authors talent for storytelling and because I liked the characters and just wanted them safe.
I loved the setting - the writing straight from the eyes of the author and the atmosphere just felt so alive; the author brought the story to life.
My heart went out to Sofia as she really had a tough time, yet she still looked out for the local people, offering help, lending an ear and her door was always open to them.
The story wouldn't be true to life, without the good and the bad scenes. The Nazis were awful, cruel, heartless people but so were the Fascists, who caused just as much destruction.
There are some great surprises that I couldn't have foreseen and the author tied up all the loose threads of the story perfectly.
I always say that I will never read a book twice, but I would happily read this book again.
5 stars?!! That's an insult! The Tuscan Contessa deserves all the stars, and more. I LOVED it!!
Thank you to the author and to Penguin Books UK via NetGalley for my arc copy.
This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 2, 2022
II Pasaulinis karas, 1943-ieji metai, Italija. Grafienė Sofija tikisi, kad karo žiaurumai aplenks jų dvarą Toskanoje. Amerikoje užaugusi italė Maksina atvyksta į Toskaną, norėdama įsilieti į vietinių partizanų gretas ir sustiprinti jų ryšį su sąjungininkais. Neilgai trukus abi moterys - Sofija ir Maksina - įsitraukia į pavojų kupiną kovą su naciais.
Kai apie skirtingus istorinius įvykius ir karus, tame tarpe ir apie II Pasaulinį, skaitau įvairią negrožinę literatūrą, kartais įdomu į šį XX a. laikotarpį pažvelgti kitu kampu - per romano prizmę. Žinoma, šiame žanre mažiau konkrečių faktų, o siaubai, kuriuos teko patirti žmonėms, ne tiek išsamiai ir sukrečiančiai aptarti, tačiau kūrinio atmosfera labai panaši - iš dangaus krentančios bombos, degantys ar jau iki pamatų sugriauti pastatai, žuvę artimieji, mylimieji ir kasdienybė, kurioje su lyg kiekviena diena vis mažiau vilties, kad kažkada bus geriau. Ne išimtis ir knyga „Toskanos grafienė“, kurioje net tie, kurie tikėjosi, kad karas juos vienaip ar kitaip aplenks, turėjo stoti su juo į tiesioginę akistatą. O tie, kurie žinojo, kad taip nutiks, narsiai stojo į kovą su tais, kuriems savo žemės nė neketino atiduoti.
Karas nesirenka nei šalies, nei žmonių, kuriuos jis tiesiogiai palies - niekas nėra apsaugotas. Gali būti paprastas asmuo - eilinis darbininkas, o gali būti turtuolis, turintis įspūdingus dvarus ir gyvenantis prabangoje, tačiau tai neapsaugos nuo skausmingų netekčių ar tiesioginės grėsmės gyvybei. Kūrinyje ši idėja netiesiogiai, bet itin aiškiai paliečiama. Noriu tikėti, kad, kurdama Sofijos kasdienybės paveikslą, D. Jefferies šito ir siekė. Grafienė nėra vaizduojama kaip pasipūtusi moteris, žiūrinti tik savo pačios ir sutuoktinio gerovės, priešingai - ji slapčia (net nuo savo vyro) bendradarbiauja su sąjungininkais. Tačiau, nepaisant tokio gerbtino jos charakterio, parodoma, kad titulas bei turimi turtai kai kuriose situacijose nieko nereiškia, negarantuoja saugumo, net jei ir visokeriopai stengtumeisi likti karštųjų taškų nuošalyje.
Siužeto dėmesio epicentre atsiduria moterų drąsa ir ryžtingi poelgiai, bendradarbiaujant, o kartais net slepiant tuos, kurių visomis išgalėmis ieško naciai. Baimė, nežinia, melas ir viltis - keturios sąvokos, kurios persekioja pagrindines veikėjas šioje knygoje. Baimė dėl tolimesnės karo eigos ir būsimų nacių veiksmų, nežinia dėl to, kas bus rytoj, o kartais net už penkių minučių, melas, kurį tenka nukreipti prieš pačius artimiausius, kad pavyktų juos apsaugoti, ir viltis, kad vieną dieną dangus taps šviesesnis, kad vietoj bombų kris žemę atgaivinsiantis lietus.
Iš pradžių ši knyga, asmeniškai man, skaitėsi lėtai ir pakankamai sunkiai. Paminėta daug skirtingų veikėjų, šmėžuoja jų vardai ir nėra vieno tiesaus paaiškinimo, kaip jie visi susiję tarpusavyje. Vėliau, kai kūrinio siužetas pagavo tikrąjį ir suplanuotą pagreitį, skaityti darėsi vis įdomiau. Norėjosi sužinoti, kaip susiklostys pagrindinių herojų likimai, kaip išsispręs situacijos, kuriose realių prošvaisčių nematyti. Kare užgimstančios paslaptys, užduodančios milijoną klausimų ir dvejonių, kur yra tikroji tiesa, skirtingos meilės formos (ta, kuri trunka visą gyvenimą, ta, kuri pajaučiama nelaiku bei netinkamam žmogui, ir ta, kuri jaučiama savo vaikams) - gyvenimo vingiai, kurie persipina kiekviename puslapyje ir kuria kasdieninio karo gyvenimo vaizdinį.
„Toskanos grafienė“ - romanas apie gėrio kovą su blogiu, nesavanaudišką pagalbą kitiems, net sunkiausioje situacijoje neišblėstančią viltį ir tai, kas svarbiausia šiame pasaulyje - meilę bei dėmesį tiems, kuriuos mylime, kadangi nežinia, ar rytoj dar juos pamatysime, ar galėsime dar kartą priglausti prie savęs, stipriai apkabinti. Ir dažnai nereikia net karo ar pasaulio pabaigos, kad pastarasis dalykas įvyktų. Dažnai tiesiog nutinka gyvenimas...
Rekomenduoju, mėgstantiems kūrinius, kuriuose paliečiamos ne tik neužginčijamos gyvenimo tiesos, bet ir II Pasaulinio karo realybė, atskleidžianti, ką reiškia gyventi nežinomybėje ir tvirtai laikytis už menkiausio vilties krislelio. Siūlau, jei ieškote skaitinio, kuriame netrūktų nei tikros ir amžinos meilės, nei prasmingų idėjų, nei bendrystės jausmo, kurį puoselėjant, regis, galima nuversti kalnus, išgyventi pačius didžiausius baisumus ir širdį draskančias netektis. Rekomenduoju, jeigu ieškote prasmingo, šviesaus, pakankamai švelnaus romano, kuriame ilgai laukta ramybė galiausiai ateina, tik reikia mokėti jos išlaukti.
4/5⭐
Kai apie skirtingus istorinius įvykius ir karus, tame tarpe ir apie II Pasaulinį, skaitau įvairią negrožinę literatūrą, kartais įdomu į šį XX a. laikotarpį pažvelgti kitu kampu - per romano prizmę. Žinoma, šiame žanre mažiau konkrečių faktų, o siaubai, kuriuos teko patirti žmonėms, ne tiek išsamiai ir sukrečiančiai aptarti, tačiau kūrinio atmosfera labai panaši - iš dangaus krentančios bombos, degantys ar jau iki pamatų sugriauti pastatai, žuvę artimieji, mylimieji ir kasdienybė, kurioje su lyg kiekviena diena vis mažiau vilties, kad kažkada bus geriau. Ne išimtis ir knyga „Toskanos grafienė“, kurioje net tie, kurie tikėjosi, kad karas juos vienaip ar kitaip aplenks, turėjo stoti su juo į tiesioginę akistatą. O tie, kurie žinojo, kad taip nutiks, narsiai stojo į kovą su tais, kuriems savo žemės nė neketino atiduoti.
Karas nesirenka nei šalies, nei žmonių, kuriuos jis tiesiogiai palies - niekas nėra apsaugotas. Gali būti paprastas asmuo - eilinis darbininkas, o gali būti turtuolis, turintis įspūdingus dvarus ir gyvenantis prabangoje, tačiau tai neapsaugos nuo skausmingų netekčių ar tiesioginės grėsmės gyvybei. Kūrinyje ši idėja netiesiogiai, bet itin aiškiai paliečiama. Noriu tikėti, kad, kurdama Sofijos kasdienybės paveikslą, D. Jefferies šito ir siekė. Grafienė nėra vaizduojama kaip pasipūtusi moteris, žiūrinti tik savo pačios ir sutuoktinio gerovės, priešingai - ji slapčia (net nuo savo vyro) bendradarbiauja su sąjungininkais. Tačiau, nepaisant tokio gerbtino jos charakterio, parodoma, kad titulas bei turimi turtai kai kuriose situacijose nieko nereiškia, negarantuoja saugumo, net jei ir visokeriopai stengtumeisi likti karštųjų taškų nuošalyje.
Siužeto dėmesio epicentre atsiduria moterų drąsa ir ryžtingi poelgiai, bendradarbiaujant, o kartais net slepiant tuos, kurių visomis išgalėmis ieško naciai. Baimė, nežinia, melas ir viltis - keturios sąvokos, kurios persekioja pagrindines veikėjas šioje knygoje. Baimė dėl tolimesnės karo eigos ir būsimų nacių veiksmų, nežinia dėl to, kas bus rytoj, o kartais net už penkių minučių, melas, kurį tenka nukreipti prieš pačius artimiausius, kad pavyktų juos apsaugoti, ir viltis, kad vieną dieną dangus taps šviesesnis, kad vietoj bombų kris žemę atgaivinsiantis lietus.
Iš pradžių ši knyga, asmeniškai man, skaitėsi lėtai ir pakankamai sunkiai. Paminėta daug skirtingų veikėjų, šmėžuoja jų vardai ir nėra vieno tiesaus paaiškinimo, kaip jie visi susiję tarpusavyje. Vėliau, kai kūrinio siužetas pagavo tikrąjį ir suplanuotą pagreitį, skaityti darėsi vis įdomiau. Norėjosi sužinoti, kaip susiklostys pagrindinių herojų likimai, kaip išsispręs situacijos, kuriose realių prošvaisčių nematyti. Kare užgimstančios paslaptys, užduodančios milijoną klausimų ir dvejonių, kur yra tikroji tiesa, skirtingos meilės formos (ta, kuri trunka visą gyvenimą, ta, kuri pajaučiama nelaiku bei netinkamam žmogui, ir ta, kuri jaučiama savo vaikams) - gyvenimo vingiai, kurie persipina kiekviename puslapyje ir kuria kasdieninio karo gyvenimo vaizdinį.
„Toskanos grafienė“ - romanas apie gėrio kovą su blogiu, nesavanaudišką pagalbą kitiems, net sunkiausioje situacijoje neišblėstančią viltį ir tai, kas svarbiausia šiame pasaulyje - meilę bei dėmesį tiems, kuriuos mylime, kadangi nežinia, ar rytoj dar juos pamatysime, ar galėsime dar kartą priglausti prie savęs, stipriai apkabinti. Ir dažnai nereikia net karo ar pasaulio pabaigos, kad pastarasis dalykas įvyktų. Dažnai tiesiog nutinka gyvenimas...
Rekomenduoju, mėgstantiems kūrinius, kuriuose paliečiamos ne tik neužginčijamos gyvenimo tiesos, bet ir II Pasaulinio karo realybė, atskleidžianti, ką reiškia gyventi nežinomybėje ir tvirtai laikytis už menkiausio vilties krislelio. Siūlau, jei ieškote skaitinio, kuriame netrūktų nei tikros ir amžinos meilės, nei prasmingų idėjų, nei bendrystės jausmo, kurį puoselėjant, regis, galima nuversti kalnus, išgyventi pačius didžiausius baisumus ir širdį draskančias netektis. Rekomenduoju, jeigu ieškote prasmingo, šviesaus, pakankamai švelnaus romano, kuriame ilgai laukta ramybė galiausiai ateina, tik reikia mokėti jos išlaukti.
4/5⭐
November 26, 2023
A fost o carte destul de antrenată și bine scrisă, însă probabil din cauza faptului ca am citit destul de multe cărți în ultima vreme cu aceeași temă, nu a reușit să mă suprindă.
În timpul celui de-al Doilea Razboi Mondial contesa Sofia di Corsi, trăiește liniștită pe proprietatea sa din Toscana alături de soțul său.
Totul ia însa o turnură diferită atunci când aceasta decide să adăpostească un soldat britanic, și se împrietenește cu Maxine, o neînfricată membră a Rezistenței pe care decide să o ajute în lupta contra sistemului fascist.
În timpul celui de-al Doilea Razboi Mondial contesa Sofia di Corsi, trăiește liniștită pe proprietatea sa din Toscana alături de soțul său.
Totul ia însa o turnură diferită atunci când aceasta decide să adăpostească un soldat britanic, și se împrietenește cu Maxine, o neînfricată membră a Rezistenței pe care decide să o ajute în lupta contra sistemului fascist.
June 7, 2023
Romantika kara fonā - lūdzu, te tā ir! Vēsture, kareivji, partizāni, bads, šausmas, izmanība, uzticēšanās, nodevība, klusēšana, izvēle, noliegšana un piedošana. Elsas un kaisle netīros matračos smirdīgā istabā. Raiti lasāma grāmata, kurā ir viss. Skarba, bet ievelkoša vienlaikus.
July 20, 2020
The Tuscan Contessa is set during WW2, from November 1943. The Contessa of the title is Sofia de’ Corsi, living in Costello de’ Corsi with her husband Lorenzo, whose family had owned the beautiful property contained within a walled village for generations. The de’ Corsi’s are a much respected part of the community with Lorenzo working for the Ministry of Agriculture which takes him away from Sofia for long periods.
The Allies advance has been slow and much of Italy is living under German martial law. Italy is not only fighting the war against the Germans but there is also civil war between the Fascists loyal to Mussolini, known as the Blackshirts and the anti-Fascists – the partisans, an underground movement involved in acts of sabotage against the Germans. With different factions against each other, it was hard to know who was spying, who to trust and who would betray you.
Lorenzo is unaware of Sofia’s involvement involving the Costello and doesn’t share her easy going ways or sympathy for the partisans. He would prefer her to stay dignified and neutral as befitting someone in her position. When German officers appear at Castello de’ Corsi, life for Sofia and those around her, take a dangerous turn, worryingly so when one Commandant seems to take a particular interest in Sofia.
Enter Maxine, an American/Italian, sent to Sofia and the Castello to assist with the allied resistance. Maxine is working for the allies by passing on information about the Germans and has a back history of her own which is gradually revealed throughout the story. Unlike Sofia, whose role as ‘lady of the manor’ she took seriously, looking out for friends and neighbours, Maxine wasn’t a character that I took to straight away even if she did eventually grow on me. Although undoubtedly brave, she was headstrong with a reckless nature which could put others in danger and initially I found her rather irritating.
With the story moving between picturesque Tuscan villages, Rome and Florence, history and fiction have been woven together to form a captivating story that shows the best – and worst of human nature. This has all the trademarks of Jefferies’ evocative descriptive narrative but against the shocking and often brutal backdrop of wartime occupation.
The Tuscan Contessa satisfied my love of Italy and WW2 fiction with rich and detailed storytelling coming from extensive research. Bravery and betrayal, sacrifice, love and loss – it is all here. I very much enjoyed this and definitely recommend for fans of this genre.
The Allies advance has been slow and much of Italy is living under German martial law. Italy is not only fighting the war against the Germans but there is also civil war between the Fascists loyal to Mussolini, known as the Blackshirts and the anti-Fascists – the partisans, an underground movement involved in acts of sabotage against the Germans. With different factions against each other, it was hard to know who was spying, who to trust and who would betray you.
Lorenzo is unaware of Sofia’s involvement involving the Costello and doesn’t share her easy going ways or sympathy for the partisans. He would prefer her to stay dignified and neutral as befitting someone in her position. When German officers appear at Castello de’ Corsi, life for Sofia and those around her, take a dangerous turn, worryingly so when one Commandant seems to take a particular interest in Sofia.
Enter Maxine, an American/Italian, sent to Sofia and the Castello to assist with the allied resistance. Maxine is working for the allies by passing on information about the Germans and has a back history of her own which is gradually revealed throughout the story. Unlike Sofia, whose role as ‘lady of the manor’ she took seriously, looking out for friends and neighbours, Maxine wasn’t a character that I took to straight away even if she did eventually grow on me. Although undoubtedly brave, she was headstrong with a reckless nature which could put others in danger and initially I found her rather irritating.
With the story moving between picturesque Tuscan villages, Rome and Florence, history and fiction have been woven together to form a captivating story that shows the best – and worst of human nature. This has all the trademarks of Jefferies’ evocative descriptive narrative but against the shocking and often brutal backdrop of wartime occupation.
The Tuscan Contessa satisfied my love of Italy and WW2 fiction with rich and detailed storytelling coming from extensive research. Bravery and betrayal, sacrifice, love and loss – it is all here. I very much enjoyed this and definitely recommend for fans of this genre.
September 12, 2020
Novel set in WW2 TUSCANY
You Tube review: https://youtu.be/n7xoPxyeITg
We are very fond of Dinah’s books because she always makes setting a big part of the story. In her earlier novels she has explored the Far East and Sri Lanka and this time she has moved to Europe and to Tuscany, which is beautifully rendered at a very difficult period of Italian history.
At the beginning of the book she charts the trajectory of the German occupation which helps to understand the bigger picture just a little more
Contessa Sofia de’ Corsi is managing a large estate, her husband is away on various missions. The Germans are in occupation and she has to do the best she can given the terrible circumstances.
Maxine comes up from Rome and both women, although theirs is not always an easy co-existence, have to forge their way through difficult, challenging and scary times. And this is what the author does so well. She sets feisty women centre stage, builds her story around them and brings it all together, set against a colourful and and vivid backdrop. She observes the detail of the surroundings and the intricacies of human existence, making it a human and very readable story. The story sweeps the reader along.
You Tube review: https://youtu.be/n7xoPxyeITg
We are very fond of Dinah’s books because she always makes setting a big part of the story. In her earlier novels she has explored the Far East and Sri Lanka and this time she has moved to Europe and to Tuscany, which is beautifully rendered at a very difficult period of Italian history.
At the beginning of the book she charts the trajectory of the German occupation which helps to understand the bigger picture just a little more
Contessa Sofia de’ Corsi is managing a large estate, her husband is away on various missions. The Germans are in occupation and she has to do the best she can given the terrible circumstances.
Maxine comes up from Rome and both women, although theirs is not always an easy co-existence, have to forge their way through difficult, challenging and scary times. And this is what the author does so well. She sets feisty women centre stage, builds her story around them and brings it all together, set against a colourful and and vivid backdrop. She observes the detail of the surroundings and the intricacies of human existence, making it a human and very readable story. The story sweeps the reader along.
July 29, 2022
Sarà che sono cresciuta con i racconti dei miei nonni su come è stata dura vivere la guerra tra le ritorsioni dei fascisti e i bombardamenti degli alleati, con i racconti di come il mio bisnonno rischiava la vita come partigiano, ma sono riuscita a immedesimarmi totalmente nella storia senza riuscire a trattenere le lacrime nei punti più dolorosi. Anche se i personaggi non sono mai esistiti, questa è la storia di tantissime famiglie italiane e penso sia sempre importante non dimenticare e tenere viva la memoria. L'autrice riesce a trasmettere l'angoscia, la voglia di vivere, la paura e la forza di quelle donne e quegli uomini che hanno scelto di reagire.
August 25, 2025
❤️De ceva timp nu mai citisem o carte de ficțiune istorica, nu ca as fi putut uita ceea ce s-a întâmplat în timpul celui de Al Doilea Război Mondial, nu ca as fi putut uita cruzimea nemților, cruzimea celor care cred ca să omori este amuzant...am citit prea multe cărți despre acest subiect pentru a uita acest lucru.
Mi-a plăcut tare mult relația strânsă de prietenie care se va crea intre Contesa Sofia si Maxine, doua persoane total diferite, care vin din medii total diferite, dar care sunt unite de un singur scop...sa supraviețuiască si totodata sa salveze cat mai multe persoane, luptând împotriva nemților, împotriva fascistilor. Dar la ceea ce vor trebui ele sa renunțe pentru a reusi acest lucru rămâne sa aflați si voi citind cartea.
Ororile războiului au fost cumplite, pierderile au fost mari, femeile si-au pierdut sotii, frații, copiii, părinții, într-o lume ce pare a fi a bărbaților, dar unde vor face si ele tot posibilul sa câștige cat mai mult împotriva dușmanului.
Mi-a părut tare rau de ceea ce i s-a întâmplat lui Maxine, as fi vrut un atfel de final pentru ea, la cat a suferit pe tot parcursul războiului. Dar in același timp m-am bucurat pentru Sofia, deși fericirea ei a fost una incompleta, umbrita de toate pierderile trăite.
O carte frumoasa, despre prietenie, iubire, loialitate si forța de a merge mai departe chiar si prin tot întunericul din jur.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Mi-a plăcut tare mult relația strânsă de prietenie care se va crea intre Contesa Sofia si Maxine, doua persoane total diferite, care vin din medii total diferite, dar care sunt unite de un singur scop...sa supraviețuiască si totodata sa salveze cat mai multe persoane, luptând împotriva nemților, împotriva fascistilor. Dar la ceea ce vor trebui ele sa renunțe pentru a reusi acest lucru rămâne sa aflați si voi citind cartea.
Ororile războiului au fost cumplite, pierderile au fost mari, femeile si-au pierdut sotii, frații, copiii, părinții, într-o lume ce pare a fi a bărbaților, dar unde vor face si ele tot posibilul sa câștige cat mai mult împotriva dușmanului.
Mi-a părut tare rau de ceea ce i s-a întâmplat lui Maxine, as fi vrut un atfel de final pentru ea, la cat a suferit pe tot parcursul războiului. Dar in același timp m-am bucurat pentru Sofia, deși fericirea ei a fost una incompleta, umbrita de toate pierderile trăite.
O carte frumoasa, despre prietenie, iubire, loialitate si forța de a merge mai departe chiar si prin tot întunericul din jur.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 1, 2020
DJ back on form with this novel about the confusing mess that was Italy during the later stages of the Second World War. Italy was both in the midst of a Civil War as well as the Second World War and women were stuck right in the middle of it all. You couldn't trust anyone, there was nothing to eat, no where was safe and death could come at any time, from out of the sky; from the forest; the sea; the mountains; the road behind, ahead, around the corner; your neighbour; your lover; your friend.
A very clever and fine atmospheric story of how a small village tries to cope with all that.
Toast
A very clever and fine atmospheric story of how a small village tries to cope with all that.
Toast
June 12, 2023
2023 || #30
4⭐️
Tai - jaudinanti, įtraukianti, pavojais, meile ir ištikimybe alsuojanti knyga, nukelianti į Italiją, Toskaną II-ojo pasaulinio karo metais ❤️
Grafienė Sofija su savo vyru Lorencu dienas ramiai leidžia Toskanoje. Tačiau karo veiksmai neaplenkia ir jų namų, tad Sofija pajunta norą priešintis ir priglaudžia sužeistą britų radistą. Greitai prie slenksčio išdygsta ir Maksina - Amerikoje užaugusi italė, norinti įsilieti į partizanų būrį. Drauge moterys pasiryžta kovoti dėl visos Italijos laisvės, nepaisydamos už kiekvieno kampo tykančių nacių, pavojų bei rizikuodamos viskuo, ką turi...
Puiki istorija! Iš pradžių skaitėsi sunkiai: daug vardų, įvykių, vietų - tačiau vėliau atsiplėšti tapo labai sunku. Galvoje kūrėsi įvairiausi istorijos baigties, tolimesnių įvykių scenarijai, žavėjausi pagrindinių veikėjų charakteriais, jų drąsa bei stiprybe ir puikiai sukurta to meto atmosfera, kuri ir karo siaubo nepatyrusiam skaitytojui kelia šiurpą, jaudulį.
Šioje istorijoje susipina daugybė pačių įvairiausių emocijų, jausmų: skausmas, meilė, išdavystės, aukojimasis ir, aišku, viltis, kuri tokiose situacijose kaip niekad reikalinga ir svarbi. Ši kelionė kartu su Sofija bei Maksina, kuri kupina visur tykančių pavojų, leidžia dar geriau pajusti žmonių, gyvenusių karo metais, baimę, ryžtą bei įvertinti jų auką ir drąsą.
Rekomenduoju visiems istorinių romanų mylėtojams. Ši knyga sužavės savo herojų portretais, sujaudins, įtrauks, įkvėps ir tikrai nepaliks abejingų ✨️
"Kai viskas aplink regisi neteisinga, tiesiog
darai tai, ką turi daryti, ir nieko neklausinėji."
"Kai netenki žmogaus, kurį myli - tikrai myli, - netenki ne tik jo, bet ir tos savo dalies, kuri jį mylėjo. Lieka spraga."
"Kai nežinai, ar žmogus, kurį myli labiau už viską gyvenime, rytoj iš viso bus gyvas, pamilsti jį dar stipriau, trokšti apglėbti dar karščiau, bet negali. Be to, trokšti jį apginti, bet kad tai padarytum, reikia jį truputėlį paleisti. Šiek tiek užsiverti. Suteikti jam erdvės daryti tai, ką jis nori."
4⭐️
Tai - jaudinanti, įtraukianti, pavojais, meile ir ištikimybe alsuojanti knyga, nukelianti į Italiją, Toskaną II-ojo pasaulinio karo metais ❤️
Grafienė Sofija su savo vyru Lorencu dienas ramiai leidžia Toskanoje. Tačiau karo veiksmai neaplenkia ir jų namų, tad Sofija pajunta norą priešintis ir priglaudžia sužeistą britų radistą. Greitai prie slenksčio išdygsta ir Maksina - Amerikoje užaugusi italė, norinti įsilieti į partizanų būrį. Drauge moterys pasiryžta kovoti dėl visos Italijos laisvės, nepaisydamos už kiekvieno kampo tykančių nacių, pavojų bei rizikuodamos viskuo, ką turi...
Puiki istorija! Iš pradžių skaitėsi sunkiai: daug vardų, įvykių, vietų - tačiau vėliau atsiplėšti tapo labai sunku. Galvoje kūrėsi įvairiausi istorijos baigties, tolimesnių įvykių scenarijai, žavėjausi pagrindinių veikėjų charakteriais, jų drąsa bei stiprybe ir puikiai sukurta to meto atmosfera, kuri ir karo siaubo nepatyrusiam skaitytojui kelia šiurpą, jaudulį.
Šioje istorijoje susipina daugybė pačių įvairiausių emocijų, jausmų: skausmas, meilė, išdavystės, aukojimasis ir, aišku, viltis, kuri tokiose situacijose kaip niekad reikalinga ir svarbi. Ši kelionė kartu su Sofija bei Maksina, kuri kupina visur tykančių pavojų, leidžia dar geriau pajusti žmonių, gyvenusių karo metais, baimę, ryžtą bei įvertinti jų auką ir drąsą.
Rekomenduoju visiems istorinių romanų mylėtojams. Ši knyga sužavės savo herojų portretais, sujaudins, įtrauks, įkvėps ir tikrai nepaliks abejingų ✨️
"Kai viskas aplink regisi neteisinga, tiesiog
darai tai, ką turi daryti, ir nieko neklausinėji."
"Kai netenki žmogaus, kurį myli - tikrai myli, - netenki ne tik jo, bet ir tos savo dalies, kuri jį mylėjo. Lieka spraga."
"Kai nežinai, ar žmogus, kurį myli labiau už viską gyvenime, rytoj iš viso bus gyvas, pamilsti jį dar stipriau, trokšti apglėbti dar karščiau, bet negali. Be to, trokšti jį apginti, bet kad tai padarytum, reikia jį truputėlį paleisti. Šiek tiek užsiverti. Suteikti jam erdvės daryti tai, ką jis nori."
December 2, 2020
Emanuela - per RFS
.
Un nuovo successo per Dinah Jefferies che sa raccontare storie in modo incantevole e delicato.
In una rocca medievale nella campagna toscana (che realmente esiste e da cui l’autrice ha tratto ispirazione per il racconto), vivono un giovane nobile e la sua sposa, circondati dall’affetto della gente del posto. Una vita idilliaca sebbene manchi un figlio a completare il loro ménage.
La seconda Guerra mondiale e l’occupazione nazista irrompono crudelmente in questa poetica realtà, e portano tutti quanti a combattere, seppure in modi diversi, per la liberazione dal nemico.
L’arrivo al castello di Maxime, giovane partigiana italo-americana, abile nel doppio gioco, scatenerà una serie di eventi a catena che inarrestabili, proseguiranno fino all’epilogo finale.
La figura della protagonista, Sofia, è particolarmente delicata e profonda, è una donna sensibile e appassionata che ama tutti incondizionatamente e si presta ad aiutare chi le sta intorno, rischiando la sua stessa vita pur di mettere in salvo partigiani e alleati.
Le figure maschili come quella del marito, Lorenzo, appaiono sullo sfondo rispetto a quelle femminili, eroiche e ferme nel sacrificio.
Un bellissimo romanzo dunque, scritto con abilità e sentimenti.
Da leggere!
.
Un nuovo successo per Dinah Jefferies che sa raccontare storie in modo incantevole e delicato.
In una rocca medievale nella campagna toscana (che realmente esiste e da cui l’autrice ha tratto ispirazione per il racconto), vivono un giovane nobile e la sua sposa, circondati dall’affetto della gente del posto. Una vita idilliaca sebbene manchi un figlio a completare il loro ménage.
La seconda Guerra mondiale e l’occupazione nazista irrompono crudelmente in questa poetica realtà, e portano tutti quanti a combattere, seppure in modi diversi, per la liberazione dal nemico.
L’arrivo al castello di Maxime, giovane partigiana italo-americana, abile nel doppio gioco, scatenerà una serie di eventi a catena che inarrestabili, proseguiranno fino all’epilogo finale.
La figura della protagonista, Sofia, è particolarmente delicata e profonda, è una donna sensibile e appassionata che ama tutti incondizionatamente e si presta ad aiutare chi le sta intorno, rischiando la sua stessa vita pur di mettere in salvo partigiani e alleati.
Le figure maschili come quella del marito, Lorenzo, appaiono sullo sfondo rispetto a quelle femminili, eroiche e ferme nel sacrificio.
Un bellissimo romanzo dunque, scritto con abilità e sentimenti.
Da leggere!
January 13, 2021
Set in the WWII in Italy, the book embraces the strength and resilience of two amazing women which do everything in their power to help the partisans and the allies to defeat the German armies.
While reading the pages, it’s easy to be completely absorbed by the story, and impossible to don’t find yourself sympathising with the characters, with their fear of not being able to see their loved ones, the desire to go back to better days, the hope felt when the allies defeated the Germans, the shock at the atrocity consumer right in front of their eyes.
An absolute amazing historical fiction and highly recommended if you loved Vicki Beeby’s The Women Auxiliary Air Force Series.
While reading the pages, it’s easy to be completely absorbed by the story, and impossible to don’t find yourself sympathising with the characters, with their fear of not being able to see their loved ones, the desire to go back to better days, the hope felt when the allies defeated the Germans, the shock at the atrocity consumer right in front of their eyes.
An absolute amazing historical fiction and highly recommended if you loved Vicki Beeby’s The Women Auxiliary Air Force Series.
March 30, 2024
Toskanos Grafienė, knyga apie stiprias moteris, jų išgyvenimus, drąsa, pasiaukojimus, ryžtą, stiprią valią, meilę, ir didelį atsidavimą, karo metais. Labai lengvai skaitoma, vietomis norėjosi kitokių vingių, bet knyga apie karą, laimės mažai, daug ko netenki.
August 22, 2024
Достаточно неплохой дамский роман из категории “Любовь и Сопротивление нацистам на фоне западноевропейских красот”, неплохие характеры, достаточно разные, проактивные, не идеальные и не раздражающие, красивые описания Тосканы, достаточно удачный сюжет с самими нацистами, много поворотов, событий и смертей, нормальные романтические интересы с разными исходами. Но вот скучно, до середины совсем ничем не зацепило. Долистала посмотреть, что там дальше, было много интересного, история получилась длинная и панорамная, но ничто не вызвало желания взять и дослушать.
Тем не менее, в целом понравились и задумка, и исполнение. Остальные истории у автора в более цветастных и менее известных мне исторических локациях, возможно, попробую что-нибудь из них, когда захочется чего-нибудь такого дамско-приключенческого.
Тем не менее, в целом понравились и задумка, и исполнение. Остальные истории у автора в более цветастных и менее известных мне исторических локациях, возможно, попробую что-нибудь из них, когда захочется чего-нибудь такого дамско-приключенческого.
Read
December 17, 2020Minunata! ❤️📚
July 30, 2020
German occupation has taken over Italy.
What an absolute delight to return to a Dinah Jefferies novel. I was expecting an excellent read and I wasn’t disappointed. The Tuscan Contessa has all the typical hallmarks of this author’s atmospheric writing, with vivid appeal to the senses, but this time with a darker and more unsettling edge that I found riveting. With Dinah Jefferies customary strong women living challenging lives, this time the backdrop of WW2’s Italy had an extra layer of menace that I hadn’t been expecting but found so compelling. I adore this type of storytelling.
The research that underpins the narrative is exemplary. I confess I know little about Italy during WW2 as most of my reading has centred on France and the United Kingdom. In The Tuscan Contessa I found a clear sense of the brutality of war at both a national and personal level as well as a vivid sense of history and place that comes through the beautiful descriptions so that I have ended the book feeling thoroughly engaged, entertained and educated.
I thought the sensitive exploration of the possibilities of human reaction to circumstances in The Tuscan Contessa was superb. Dinah Jefferies really made me wonder ‘What if…?’ I have no idea if I could have behaved as Sofia and Maxine do, but their story held me captivated. There’s a convincing cross-section of society from Sofia to Clara so that war’s effect is seen at all levels. I loved the resourcefulness, the weaknesses and the strengths of the women here because it made them all the more real. Maxine’s search for her emotional identity is especially profound and I desperately wanted her and Sofia to have happy endings. Of course, I’m not going to spoil the read by saying if they did!
In The Tuscan Contessa, Diana Jefferies blends initial sumptuous glamour with harsh and realistic reality into an intoxicating read. The sense of place, of history and of human nature is a heady mix in this novel. I thoroughly recommend it.
What an absolute delight to return to a Dinah Jefferies novel. I was expecting an excellent read and I wasn’t disappointed. The Tuscan Contessa has all the typical hallmarks of this author’s atmospheric writing, with vivid appeal to the senses, but this time with a darker and more unsettling edge that I found riveting. With Dinah Jefferies customary strong women living challenging lives, this time the backdrop of WW2’s Italy had an extra layer of menace that I hadn’t been expecting but found so compelling. I adore this type of storytelling.
The research that underpins the narrative is exemplary. I confess I know little about Italy during WW2 as most of my reading has centred on France and the United Kingdom. In The Tuscan Contessa I found a clear sense of the brutality of war at both a national and personal level as well as a vivid sense of history and place that comes through the beautiful descriptions so that I have ended the book feeling thoroughly engaged, entertained and educated.
I thought the sensitive exploration of the possibilities of human reaction to circumstances in The Tuscan Contessa was superb. Dinah Jefferies really made me wonder ‘What if…?’ I have no idea if I could have behaved as Sofia and Maxine do, but their story held me captivated. There’s a convincing cross-section of society from Sofia to Clara so that war’s effect is seen at all levels. I loved the resourcefulness, the weaknesses and the strengths of the women here because it made them all the more real. Maxine’s search for her emotional identity is especially profound and I desperately wanted her and Sofia to have happy endings. Of course, I’m not going to spoil the read by saying if they did!
In The Tuscan Contessa, Diana Jefferies blends initial sumptuous glamour with harsh and realistic reality into an intoxicating read. The sense of place, of history and of human nature is a heady mix in this novel. I thoroughly recommend it.
April 2, 2021
Cartea ne oferă o felie de istorie, surprinde povești emoționante de viață în vreme de război, pline de sacrificii și suferință, personajele sunt foarte bine redate - o galerie impresionantă de tipologii umane -, iar acțiunea în sine e foarte intensă și dramatică.
Stilul autoarei e bogat în detalii minuțios redate, astfel încât cititorul asistă la derularea acțiunii scenă cu scenă, percepând fiecare nuanță a decorului. Povestea e plasată în Italia, în timpul celui de-al doilea război mondial, din noiembrie 1943 până în septembrie 1945, și beneficiază de o atentă documentare. Acțiunea se petrece în pitoreștile și frumoasele sate toscane, dar și la Roma și la Florența. Superbe locuri, însă strivite de război. Dar spiritul oamenilor a rămas viu, de neîngenunchiat, căci luptele s-au dus nu doar pe front. Povestea nu curge lin, fiind marcată de tensiune și suspans, iar brutalitatea și urâțenia războiului ies pregnant la suprafață, ca și felul în care îi transformă acesta pe oameni, istoria și ficțiunea fiind țesute împreună pentru a forma o poveste captivantă care arată cele mai bune - și cele mai rele laturi ale naturii umane.
https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/con...
Stilul autoarei e bogat în detalii minuțios redate, astfel încât cititorul asistă la derularea acțiunii scenă cu scenă, percepând fiecare nuanță a decorului. Povestea e plasată în Italia, în timpul celui de-al doilea război mondial, din noiembrie 1943 până în septembrie 1945, și beneficiază de o atentă documentare. Acțiunea se petrece în pitoreștile și frumoasele sate toscane, dar și la Roma și la Florența. Superbe locuri, însă strivite de război. Dar spiritul oamenilor a rămas viu, de neîngenunchiat, căci luptele s-au dus nu doar pe front. Povestea nu curge lin, fiind marcată de tensiune și suspans, iar brutalitatea și urâțenia războiului ies pregnant la suprafață, ca și felul în care îi transformă acesta pe oameni, istoria și ficțiunea fiind țesute împreună pentru a forma o poveste captivantă care arată cele mai bune - și cele mai rele laturi ale naturii umane.
https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/con...
July 21, 2020
This was a well written and well researched book as is always the case with Dinah Jefferies. The descriptive scenes really painted pictures that were easily visualised. Sofia de’Corsi is the main character and she often reminisced about what life was like before the war when food was plentiful and people were happy. Another woman who plays a major part is an American called Maxine. She has an Italian background and is now working undercover for the Allies. Maxine enjoyed the excitement of dangerous situations. Sofia’s husband, Lorenzo is often away, but they have a loving relationship. We gradually get to know more about there lives as Sofia looked back at her life. There were some very tense scenes and the fear was palpable and I often felt like I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen next. There were moments of relief and some that had me in tears. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 5, 2020
I don't know if I wasn't concentrating properly on this book but I found it difficult to get into and it bounced around a bit for me compared with other books by the author which I have enjoyed. However, I did like the location and the subject - Tuscany in the later part of the Second World War. I have now read a few books on Italy's part in the war - I hadn't quite realised how complicated it was with Nazi Germans, Italian Fascists and local Italian partisans especially in the later couple of years.
February 3, 2023
Mini review! The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies ~ 💙💙💙 3/5
Italy. Poppies. Flower fields. Sun. War. Love. More war. More love. Heartbreak.
Whilst not my favourite Dinah Jefferies book, The Tuscan Contessa was worth the read.
Italy. Poppies. Flower fields. Sun. War. Love. More war. More love. Heartbreak.
Whilst not my favourite Dinah Jefferies book, The Tuscan Contessa was worth the read.
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