The Cypress Maze

by Fiona Valpy, Henrietta Meire (Reader), Ruth Redman (Reader)

In this haunting tale from the bestselling author of The Storyteller of Casablanca, Beatrice kept a wartime secret to protect the innocent. Now, could telling it set her free?

Tuscany, 1943. Stranded in war-ravaged Italy, Beatrice’s dream of an escapist year teaching English is shattered. Granted shelter at the Villa delle Colombe, she seeks refuge in Francesca and Edoardo’s beautiful walled garden, hidden from the outside world, with an elaborate cypress maze at its heart.

But Beatrice is not the only one seeking an escape here. Francesca has brought children to the safety of the house, as well as other adults, all of them seeking sanctuary on the estate with its mysterious maze. As the war closes in, the residents are forced to witness—and do—unthinkable things…

2015. Tess arrives at the villa raw from the agonising loss of her husband. Beatrice, now custodian, guides her to the solace of its gardens, where Tess begins to heal. But all hope of peace is shattered by the arrival of Marco, the estate’s absent owner, who wants nothing more than to hand it over to developers.

Distraught, Beatrice realises she must finally reveal the villa’s painful past if she wants to save it. As the extraordinary story unfolds, Tess realises that Villa delle Colombe is not just a refuge, but a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. Can she convince Marco to give it a new lease of life—and find a way back to happiness herself?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Italy, Historical, War, World War II, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published July 18, 2023

About the author

Fiona Valpy spent seven years living in France, having moved there from the UK in 2007. She and her family renovated an old, rambling farmhouse in the Bordeaux winelands, during which time she developed new-found skills in cement-mixing, interior decorating and wine-tasting.

All of these inspirations, along with a love for the place, the people and their history, have found their way into the books she’s written, which have been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.

Fiona now lives in Scotland, but enjoys regular visits to France in search of the sun.

Sign up to be the first to hear about her NEW releases here: http://bit.ly/184zc8B

Reviews

[Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the 17th stop of my world tour I decided on a slightly different approach. I went for historical romance and one that would capture the beauty of Tuscany.

A very enjoyable read, a lovely but moving story and one that did indeed capture the essence, smells and sights of this stunning part of the world - rural Italy. Add to that the historical context of a country undecided about entering the war and then facing enemies from both sides while loved ones disappeared and families were left impoverished and not able to sell their produce to maintain any kind of livelihood.

A quote that aptly captured the essence of the story in its title…

Understanding at last that what lies in the heart of the maze of grief is, very simply, acceptance. And once we unlock that hidden chamber, there is nothing left but peace.

The romance element left me wanting. The whole thing was predictable and lacked any real substance or emotion. However I loved this quote..

A wise woman once said that grief is love that has nowhere to go. At last, I’m exploring new directions, finding the way, navigating the paths that will transform my grief into new love. Creating a map of my own making.

However, a solid good read overall. Rounding down from 3.5.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrice moves to Italy to work as an English tutor, with the threat of war clouds looming she isn't worried until she finds herself stranded in the country and declared an enemy alien. Beatrice is very lucky to meet Francesca, she takes her home to Villa delle Colombe and to meet her husband Edoardo. He knows the peace in the valley won’t last, he and his workers build a maze made out of cypress and it’s his backup plan. Francesca takes in children, who have lost their homes due to the war, soon the children are rosy-cheeked and healthy. When the Allies sign an armistice with Italy, their peaceful valley in Tuscany becomes ruled by the Germans and the fighting gets closer.

The story has a dual timeline and it’s told from the two main characters Beatrice and Tess’s points of view, from 1940 to 2015, seventy five years apart and it's easy to follow.

Tess arrives at Villa delle Colombe for a holiday, Beatrice is an old school friend of her mothers and is delighted to have her stay. Tess is a young widow, she’s struggling with the death of her husband and Tuscany is the perfect place to find some solace. Beatrice is notified the new owner of the villa has been found and Tess helps her get it ready and make him feel welcome. Marco is a young man from Rome, he's walking around taking photos and notes and they have a horrible feeling he’s going to sell it to a developer.

Beatrice decides it’s time for her to share her war time experiences, she asks Tess to write it down for her, and she discovers it was safe haven not only for Beatrice, local men hiding from being conscripted, children, members of the resistance and an allied soldier. Maybe this will help Beatrice make peace with the past, Tess as well and Marco to understand the villa was a safe haven for his father as a child.

I received a copy of The Cypress Maze by Fiona Valpy from NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK in exchange for an honest review. Once again Ms. Valpy has written a historical fiction story that makes you feel a connection with the characters and what happens to them. Set in beautiful Tuscany, you can picture in your mind the rose and vegetable gardens, children playing in the maze and Silvana cooking pasta in the kitchen.

I found it interesting reading about how the estate was self significant, growing it's own fruit and vegetables and during the hard war years they gathered herbs, mushrooms and other plants, and when food and medicine was scarce. It’s also a story about grief, something Beatrice has experience with and she’s helps Tess cope with her feelings of loss and the maze's secret is finally revealed. I have been a fan of Ms. Valpy's since I read her first book, The Beekeeper's Promise, she written another interesting dual timeline story you can totally immerse yourself in and five stars from me.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We always know our firsts….But we rarely know our lasts until it’s too late.”

Three things I love about this haunting story full of wartime secrets:

(1) The well-thought-out title/villa name
(2) Fiona Valpy’s writing style
(3) An extremely engaging historical fiction read

The juxtaposition of the beautiful gardens and young love against the backdrop of war kept me spellbound. I loved how Valpy tucked her story up into another story and left plenty for the reader to unravel. Curiosity got the better of me and I was driven to Google MND, La Citta Sotterranea, La Foce and Iris Origo. I love books that prompt me to research!

I loved the messages about being willing to ask for help, about reaching out to help those less fortunate, and about living in the moment. I also appreciated the reminder that sometimes we have to face the past to embrace the future and that there’s no expiry date on finding happiness.

This will be one of those books that I know I’ll read again and again … and learn something new each time. It’s definitely one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read this year.

I was gifted this copy by Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Kylie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is yet another set during WWII but gave a perspective that I hadn't encountered before. Beatrice Crane is a young Scottish woman working as a nanny in Florence when war breaks out trapping her in Italy under Mussolini. Beatrice is imprisoned as a possible 'spy' and then released with nowhere to go and shunned as an 'enemy'. In desperation she presents to the local Red Cross and is given sanctuary at a Tuscan villa where she assists with caring for children evacuated from the city.
Fast forward 70 years, and Tess is in deep grief. Her husband has just been taken from her through 'voluntary assisted dying' after being struck down with Motor Neurone Disease. Her grandmother sends her off to Tuscany to a villa where her childhood friend Beatrice is a live in caretaker. Beatrice, is now quite frail and requiring a companion to assist her with the day to day running of the villa.
Tess agrees to assist Beatrice with the recording of her memoir of the war years and together they revisit the past and console each others grief.
A lovely, touching story about love, loss and the burden of grief.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing/Amazon Publishing UK for my opportunity to read this digital ARC.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cypress Maze is the emotional tale of two women, decades apart, who live, thrive and love in an Italian villa. Their lives are beautiful but both suffer deep loss, which they carry with them. The characters are warm and easy to like. Recommended.

[elizabeth rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona Valpy's The Cypress Maze is an outstanding novel that masterfully explores the profound themes of grief, loss, and the devastations of war. This emotionally charged story is set against the picturesque yet war-torn backdrop of Tuscany, making the portrayal of its characters' struggles absolutely phenomenal.

The novel opens in 1943, introducing us to Beatrice, a young English teacher whose dream of an idyllic year in Italy is shattered by World War II. Stranded and desperate, she finds refuge at the Villa delle Colombe, a sanctuary with an enchanting walled garden and an intricate cypress maze at its heart. Run by Francesca and Edoardo, the villa becomes a safe haven not only for Beatrice but also for other refugees, including children, escaping the horrors of war. As the conflict encroaches upon their sanctuary, the residents are forced to witness—and participate in—unthinkable acts of survival and resilience.

Jumping to 2015, we meet Tess, who arrives at the villa raw from the agonizing loss of her husband. Under the compassionate care of Beatrice, now the villa’s custodian, Tess starts to heal amidst the villa’s serene gardens. However, the arrival of Marco, the estate’s absentee owner determined to sell the property to developers, threatens the peace Tess has just begun to find. To save the villa, Beatrice must reveal its painful past, sharing the extraordinary story of courage and hope that it harbours.

'We always know our firsts... But we rarely know our lasts until it's too late'

Valpy meticulously captures the tension and fear that permeated Italy during the war, bringing to light the daily struggles of those trying to survive in a country torn apart by conflict. The novel delves into the moral complexities faced by ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, highlighting acts of bravery, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of living under occupation. This historical depth adds a gripping layer to the story, making it not just a tale of personal loss and recovery, but also a tribute to the resilience and courage of those who lived through such devastating times.

Fans of historical fiction and dual timeline narratives, such as those found in Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale or Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden, will find much to love in The Cypress Maze. The way Valpy intertwines the past and present is masterful, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives and stories that resonate deeply with the reader.

The Cypress Maze earns a well-deserved 4.5 stars for its poignant storytelling and rich historical context. Valpy's delicate yet powerful depiction of her characters' emotional journeys is truly breathtaking. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a story that will touch their heart and linger in their thoughts long after the final page. If you're ready to get lost in a tale of resilience and hope, The Cypress Maze is the book for you.

[simona.citeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

O ficțiune istorică cu acțiunea în Italia ce descrie minunata zonă în care este situată casa ce reprezintă punctul central al povestirii.
O casă înconjurată de o grădină ce necesită muncă dar totodată le asigură tuturor hrană și stabilitate în vremuri grele. Aici trăiesc 3 femei ambițioase care au în grijă peste 20 de copii scăpați din calea războiului.

În prezent aveam o poveste despre doliu, pierdere și suferință, o călătorie care va parcurge toate etapele necesare vindecării.

Mi-a plăcut povestea, a fost emoționantă.

[Ryan Billings · Rating 2 out of 5]

I forced myself to finish this book. There was zero depth. Lots of first world problems in the ‘present day’ chapters and very unlikable characters. And the writing was so, so basic. I love WWII stories but this just does not compare to some of the greats (e.g. All the Light We Cannot See). Don’t waste your time.

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
This book is set in two timelines: 2015 and WWII. Bess (2015) who's reeling from the death of her husband, goes to Tuscany to stay with Beatrice, her elderly grandmother's good friend. The villa and it's grounds are slated to be turned into a golf club, to the horror of both women, by the man who inherited it, Marco. Beatrice tells the story of the history of the villa to Bess, who hopes to influence Marco with the details of this rich and heartbreaking history.
It was a sweet story, but I did get tired of Bess' talks to her late husband. The villa's history was much more interesting and the gardens' descriptions were luscious.

[Annett Jummrich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fiona Valpy’s books are always okay reads, but herein also lies the problem: the stories follow a pattern and are usually very predictable. There are no surprises. Would definite recommend the author, but once you read one FV book, you kind of know them all, which is a bit disappointing. But to be fair to the author, this is a ‘problem’ that most authors have. They tend to stick to one genre and one way of writing.

As for this book: it tells a story in two time frames - Beatrice and Francesca during WWII and Beatrice and Tess in 2015. Going back and forth between the two time periods is well done and easy to follow. As expected the descriptions and action set in the 1940s is rather sad.

I think I was most disappointed that the book follows a typical pattern: the couple in WWII doesn’t get their happy ending, but there is a happy ending for the love story set in modern times. For once it would have been nice if the 1940s love story had a happy ending (Beatrice and Harry). That would at least have been believable. I did not buy the love story of Tess and Marco in 2015. It definitely wasn’t needed. Tess is mourning the loss of her husband for over three years, but once she has gone through the stages of mourning and accepted his death, she more or less immediately falls for Marco (for whom I as a reader didn’t care at all)? Why couldn’t the author for once have given the ‘past couple’ a happy ending? The ‘present couple’ was not needed and spoiled the story for me. It would have sufficed if Tess had come to terms with the death of her husband and accepted it.

I really liked the character of Beatrice, which is why I would have liked for her to have a happy ending. It was heartbreaking that she stayed alone all her life because her Harry didn’t survive WWII.

Overall an okay book. If you never read a FV book, then you’ll like this one. But there are much better books out there.

2-2.5 stars.

[Fictionophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read several other books by this author I knew I was in for an enjoyable read. Her novels are peopled with realistic and empathetic characters and situations.

Told via dual timelines, "The Cypress Maze" transports the reader to Tuscany, Italy.

The present timeline features Tess, a young woman who is grieving the loss of her beloved husband to a devastating illness. She travels from England to Italy seeking solace and healing. She is staying at a beautiful villa in the Tuscan hills and becomes close to the elderly Beatrice who acts as the villa's custodian. When Beatrice's security and home are threatened, Tess tries to intervene. Meanwhile, she is transcribing Beatrice's life story...

The WWII timeline tells the story of how Beatrice came to live at the villa. How during the years of hardship, loss, and danger, she weathered the war years - keeping a dark secret for decades afterwards.

With a breathtakingly beautiful setting, empathetic characters and rich historical details, this novel will be sure to be enjoyed by historical fiction fans. Recommended!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting: Tuscany, Italy; 1940-45 & 2015.
In 2015, freelance photographer Tess is trying to come to terms with the death of her husband from Motor Neurone Disease. At the suggestion of her grandmother, she travels to Tuscany to stay at the Villa delle Colombe with one of her grandmother's former schoolfriends, Beatrice Crane, where Tess finds a semblance of peace and recovery from the trauma of watching her husband die. But she also finds a villa that is steeped in history, particularly events that occurred when Beatrice was staying with the then owners Francesca and Edoardo after she was stranded in Italy at the breakout of World War Two.
When the current owner of the villa visits, Beatrice is shocked to discover that he plans to turn the villa and its grounds into a golf course and hotel, which will force Beatrice to leave a place she has considered her home since the war. But she also hints to Tess that dark things happened at the villa during the war and decides to tell the story of her war for Tess to write down....
The book has two timelines - Tess in 2015 and Beatrice's story from 1940 onwards - in alternating chapters. I found this quite an interesting and engaging read - I knew little about the way Italy reacted to the German declaration of war although I was aware of the rise of the Fascist regime there under Mussolini but it was interesting to get a 'take' on this from the point of view of the ordinary people. The villa itself was a large character in the book and I could almost see and smell the gardens and stunning views. Overall, a good read from my point of view although probably not one that I would have chosen for myself, being a Book Group read, so for that reason an excellent choice for such a read - 8/10.

[Steve Leverett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written story of love, loss, bravery and undying nurture 4.5 ⭐️

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all of Fiona Valpy’s books I have read. So, when I saw The Cypress Maze, I jumped at the opportunity to read it. This haunting tale is somewhat different in its approach but no less intriguing. Two women are at the heart of this novel providing their stories. Dual timelines of 1943 and 2015 are explored.

One of the timelines carries Beatrice’s story of Tuscany 1943, the horrors she witnessed and experienced in a war torn Italy. She initially escapes to Italy for a year to teach English but the pressures of war force her in another direction and she must find refuge. She is given shelter at Villa delle Colombe by Francesca and Edoardo. Behind their walled garden, her life blossoms, and we see vividly what an amazing location it is through Fiona’s detailed descriptions. Also, in this hidden setting is a complex maze that becomes a place of refuge, protection and love but also where a crime occurs. It is a story of great loss but also restoration. By reviewing memories of the past, one woman is freed and one finds new courage to continue on.

In 2015 we meet Tess. A woman who has lost her husband. She is on a journey through grief when she arrives at the villa to take solace in the gardens. It is here where she begins to heal. But the tranquil setting is interrupted when the estates owner, Marco, arrives and wants to wipe out its past by removing the garden and redeveloping it. This gives its current custodian, Beatrice, great concern as it is where she has spent most of her life and cannot imagine living anywhere else. In her attempt to save the villa, she shares with Tess its tumultuous past during the second world war but how it offered shelter and kept hope alive for those who found refuge behind its walls. She asks Tess to write it all down of what happened long ago and unveils a secret that she wants shared with Marco in hopes it will change his mind. He comes across as a grumpy and unfeeling man who cares not for the welfare of others. But his anger really is a shield he hides behind and there are more layers to him than first believed.

Gardens always possess a magical serene aura and can provide emotional, spiritual and mental healing. And they can also be a great social setting for finding love! In this story’s case, the gardens of Villa delle Colombe have been all these things. This setting in many ways is also a character and includes a fascinating maze harbouring secrets that once revealed could offer both negative and positive results.

I truly loved The Cypress Maze and although the dire details of events and pain experienced by the inhabitants of the Villa fills many of its pages, the ray of hope that shines throughout this story buoys it up to a special level. In the past timeline, the gardens (and relationships nurtured there), provide the characters with what they need by giving them something (and someone) to hold on to-- through the horrific war times. In the modern timeline, the setting still serves in the same way when that haven is threatened.

And the enigma of the maze? It is an intriguing part of the plot. The Cypress maze has an incredible story to tell, once it is released to share its secrets. Its purpose in the garden is quite appropriate. I will leave the mystery for the reader to unveil, though, and just quote Plato on his definition of a maze: “It is a confusing path, hard to follow without a thread, but, provided [you are] not devoured at the midpoint, it leads surely, despite twists and turns, back to the beginning.” The Cypress Maze definitely takes us back to the start to deliver the emotional core of this novel. And it holds a powerful revelation of the effects of war on the human mind.

This story certainly captured my heart and I was moved by Beatrice’s strength and Tess’s determination. These courageous women help each other in 2015 and the book ends on a fulfilled note. Fiona has delivered another heart felt triumph. I sincerely recommend this novel and give it 5 Stars.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for my review copy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Pub for an ARC copy of this novel!
In this book, we see a dual timeline, both taking place at the Villa delle Colombo in Tuscany. The story follows Tess (2015) and her deep pain and grief from the loss of her husband. She arrives at the villa, hoping to find consolation and peace. There she finds Beatrice, the old guardian of the villa and friend of Tess’s grandmother. Tess and Beatrice become close friends and Tess begins to write down the story of Beatrice and her time at the villa during WW2 (1940-1944).
In 1940, Beatrice has come to Italy to work. She enjoys all Italy has to offer, but dangers arise as WW2 begins. She finds herself stuck and unable to go back home to Scotland. She is arrested as an enemy of the state, but soon let go. She eventually finds the villa, where a safe haven is provided for her and numerous others, including many children. The villa owners, Edoardo and Francesca, along with the other workers and Tess, work together to maintain the villa and harvest food and provisions. They try to remain hidden, but things become difficult and upsetting.
Presently in 2015, Beatrice had tried to find the person set to inherit the villa. A message arrives stating that Marco, the son of the inheritor, would be arriving. But he has plans to tear down the structures and build a golf course.
I really enjoyed the dual timelines of this novel and how they both tied together. I especially enjoyed the depth of the descriptions in the story throughout. Fiona Valpy’s style of writing is so beautiful!!! She pulls you into the story and makes you feel as if you are there and in person! This author is definitely on my radar and look forward to reading more of her work!
The Cypress Maze comes out July 18, 2023!

[Carol Engler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess is dealing with the death of her husband . Her family felt it would be good for her to going to stay with friends in Italy that she personally don't know.
Beatrice is dealing with current problems and lost. She decides to tell her story of how she became to live at the Villa delle Colombe estate
Marco fines he inherited Villa Villa Colombe and has his own planes . But each has a pain that needs healed . In the safety of the Villa delle Colombe each starts and finishes their own personal . A place of not just a refuge, but a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.

[Verity Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the Storyteller of Casablanca, I was really excited to read another Fiona Valpy book and it did not disappoint. Set in Tuscany during World War Two, there are some difficult themes but a wonderfully written story with lots of insights into Mussolini's Italy and the subsequent German occupation.

[Lorna Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting story, brought to life with Fiona's wonderfully descriptive and evocative style' telling the stories of brave and fascinating women during WW2

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written depiction of life in Tuscany during WW2 from the point of view of Scottish refugee, Beatrice, with a dual timeline catching up with her as an elderly lady. I’ve loved it- both the setting and the characters. I did find Tess’ story slightly less engaging (a personal issue that I’m not keen on so much medical detail in a book) but got fully emerged in the war time sections. I do love that Fiona Valpy’s books are just the right length too!

[MikeLikesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was.very powerful about the grit courage and tenacity needed when facing terrible challenges, death and grief. It also shows you can get to the other side and find love for ice.

This story is set in WW2 Italy. I loved following the lives of the people in this novel. They seemed so real to me and the author did a great job with her world building.

[Wendy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author always produces compelling novels with realistic characters and a convincing storyline. This one is not an exception, but I wouldn't rate it as one of her best.

[Alexander Petkovski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second Fiona Valpy novel and I enjoyed it. The topics that she explores are similar, but her writing is always strong. I still liked The Storyteller of Casablanca more than this one, but I would still read more from her.

[Sotiris Karaiskos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tuscany, Italy is a place of special beauty, but during the Second World War things were not so beautiful. The protagonists of the story of this book did everything they could to turn a villa into a beacon of hope for children who saw the harshest face of war. The narration of this story is done in a very interesting way, with the organizational details of this undertaking combined with some touching moments. Some of this light is also carried over to the later parallel story where a woman who has experienced very difficult times tries to heal her wounds by investigating the past, a story that I think the author could have devoted more space to. Even so, it has its value and its touching moments. Another book by the author who stands at a fairly high level and earns at least my sympathy.

Η Τοσκάνη της Ιταλίας είναι ένα μέρος με ξεχωριστή ομορφιά, στη διάρκεια του Δευτέρου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου όμως τα πράγματα δεν ήταν τόσο όμορφα. Οι πρωταγωνιστές και οι πρωταγωνίστριες της ιστορίας αυτού του βιβλίου έκαναν ότι μπορούσαν για να μετατρέψουν μία βίλα σε έναν φάρο ελπίδας για τα παιδιά που είδαν το πιο σκληρό πρόσωπο του πολέμου. Η αφήγηση αυτής της ιστορίας γίνεται με έναν πολύ ενδιαφέροντα τρόπο, με τις οργανωτικές λεπτομέρειες αυτού του εγχειρήματος να συνδυάζονται με μερικές συγκινητικές στιγμές. Λίγο από αυτό το φως μεταφέρεται και στην μεταγενέστερη παράλληλη ιστορία όπου μία γυναίκα που έχει βιώσει πολύ δύσκολες στιγμές προσπαθεί να επουλώσει τις πληγές της, ερευνώντας το παρελθόν, μία ιστορία στην οποία πιστεύω ότι η συγγραφέας μπορούσε να αφιερώσει περισσότερο χώρο. Ακόμα και έτσι όμως έχει και αυτή την αξία της και τις συγκινητικές στιγμές της. Άλλο ένα βιβλίο της συγγραφέως που στέκεται σε ένα αρκετά υψηλό επίπεδο και κερδίζει τουλάχιστον τη συμπάθειά μου.

[Catriona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Fiona Valpy, exploring the Italian experience of the Second World War - a side I didn’t know much about.
I did find the dialogue with the dead husband a bit off putting but can see how this would work for others.
A bit predictable in parts but very touching and tear-worthy nonetheless.

[Caroline Mattinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of finding strength through adversity

Any interesting book split between two eras -1939 & present times. The story of two women who find strength through traumatic situations and how they adjust to life after the events.
An interesting insight into the political struggles in Italy during WW11.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emanuela - per RFS
.
Come di consueto, questa famosa autrice riesce a scrivere una storia splendida e di grande impatto emotivo che combina insieme verità e immaginazione e raccoglie la sfida di scuotere la coscienza dei lettori, facendoci pensare e riflettere su molti temi.

Il labirinto di cipressi, ormai inselvatichito e impenetrabile, che sorge sulla cima della collina è la metafora del groviglio di sentimenti e tragedie che attraversano la vita dei protagonisti di questo romanzo.

La vicenda si svolge in Toscana nella grande proprietà di Francesca e Edoardo, la Villa delle Colombe, luogo ameno e produttivo prima della Seconda guerra mondiale.

L’avvento del fascismo al potere sconvolge la quieta quotidianità della famiglia ma, agli stravolgimenti iniziali, fa seguito una nuova routine: rimasta vedova, Francesca accoglie la giovane scozzese Beatrice Crane che allo scoppio della Guerra è bloccata a Siena e insieme iniziano a ospitare bambini provenienti dal nord Italia; tra essi c’è il piccolo Alfredo, colui che rischia di più. È ebreo e la sua presenza a Villa delle Colombe, insieme a quella di Beatrice, è mal tollerata dal regime.

In un salto temporale continuo la storia arriva ai giorni nostri dove una giovane fotografa di nome Tess, vedova da poco, arriva a Villa delle Colombe e incontra una Beatrice ormai anziana, in una precaria situazione: la dimora è stata ereditata da Marco, figlio di un bimbo che in quella stessa casa era stato amorevolmente accolto: Alfredo. Ma Marco non vuole saperne di mantenere quella proprietà e vuole stravolgerla cacciando tutti i suoi abitanti…

Quando Beatrice inizierà a raccontare la storia, anche Tess scoprirà tutti i segreti che si nascondono nel labirinto.

È una storia molto difficile, forse la più complessa che fino a ora la Valpy ha scritto: da una parte siamo testimoni delle atrocità della Guerra in Italia, della rete di resistenza partigiana e dal sostegno che la popolazione offrì ai combattenti. Conosciamo il lavoro di chi aiutò tanti bambini perseguitati offrendo loro un rifugio sicuro.

Dall’altra attraverso il dolore di Tess che ha perso suo marito per una malattia degenerativa gravissima, siamo chiamati a ragionare su cosa si è disposti a fare per amore.

È un libro tosto ma imperdibile.

[dancewbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vratila sam se malo ratnim knjigama. Naravno, nije skroz o ratu, ima tu i ljubavi. U ovoj knjizi imamo sadašnjost i prošlost, a to je meni zbilja zanimljivo. Tu prošlost koju čitam zapravo zapisuje Tess, ona je unuka Beatriceine prijateljice, htjele su da Marco shvati zašto je vila toliko važna pa je Beatrice odlučila ispričati svoj život za vrijeme rata. Iskreno, cijela knjiga mi je dosta emotivna, tužna najviše. Tess je imala supruga koji je preminuo od strašne bolesti i nije to želio proživljavati pa je išao u Švicarsku da ga usmrte pošto je tamo to legalno ako imaš neku tešku bolest koliko znam. Rat je sam po sebi užasan i zato ne trebam ni objašnjavati zašto mi je prošlost tužna. Na kraju ima dosta objašnjenja poput toga odakle je autorica uzela informacije o ratu i svakakva druga objašnjenja, također i neke informacije o potpomognutom umiranju te zahvale, naravno. Ja sam sve to pročitala pošto recenziram, a i bilo mi je zanimljivo, no vi to ne trebate čitati jer nije bitno za priču. Meni je knjiga bila sjajna, volim knjige o ratu i ljubavi, malo za promjenu. Od mene imate veliku preporuku za ovaj roman!

[Cecilia Ollikainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ / 5 ⭐️

fiona valpylla on hieno taito kuvailla ja kertoa vaikeista, synkistä ja todella raskaista aiheista ja tapahtumista kuitenkin hyvin kauniilla ja hartaalla tavalla. sota-ajan tapahtumat ja vuosikausien takaiset salaisuudet ja traumat eivät tunnu lukijalle ylitsepääsemättömiltä, vaikka lukija pääseekin ajan tunnelmaan mukaan. tulee jopa vähän runomainen fiilis itselle kuvailun kauneudesta ja tunteiden sanottamisesta.

[Mojca Anel Lav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Italija za vreme 2.svetskog rata, Italija u sadašnjosti.

Dve teške priče iz prošlosti i sadašnjosti.

Tri jake žene koje su preko svojih leđa preturile SVAŠTA. Ali bukvalno.

U centru priče je i jedan dečak.

Ovo je knjiga koja nije navikana, koja nije pisana po kalupu kao mnoge o tom periodu.

Fiona me ni ovaj put nije razočarala. Priča koja će vas držati budnim od prve do poslednje stranice. Divni opisi čarobne Italije i pitak stil pisanja.

Malo je reći EMOTIVNO ODLIČNA.

Od mene - preporuka. Ona najveća 💜

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to be honest, picked this book up because I thought it was a mystery about Cypress Gardens in Florida. Turns out I was wrong, but this story is set both in during WWII deals with heartbreak, loss, and soul restoration. A beautiful story with brave characters!