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Beyond the Bergamot - A Novella
Beyond the Bergamot is a bittersweet intergenerational story about the immutable bonds of family and friendship; the wilds of fate and faith; and, the frailty and resilience of the human heart.
Set against the backdrop of Italy’s deep south during the 1950s, Beyond the Bergamot follows the life of the Conte family, third-generation citrus farmers who enrol their only son in Italy’s most prestigious seminary. They reasoned it would be best for Joseph to pursue a consecrated life and enjoy the prestige of priesthood, than to work tirelessly and survive quietly.
But as Joseph embarks on his journey, things get complicated as he realizes prayer life isn’t for him. Desperate to resume his carefree life in San Martino, Joseph returns unprepared for the secrets that await him. Soon, the life-blood of the local economy is threatened, and Joseph is forced to confront the limits of his parents’ good intentions. As Joseph uncovers the uneasy truth, he unwittingly discovers his true calling.
Set against the backdrop of Italy’s deep south during the 1950s, Beyond the Bergamot follows the life of the Conte family, third-generation citrus farmers who enrol their only son in Italy’s most prestigious seminary. They reasoned it would be best for Joseph to pursue a consecrated life and enjoy the prestige of priesthood, than to work tirelessly and survive quietly.
But as Joseph embarks on his journey, things get complicated as he realizes prayer life isn’t for him. Desperate to resume his carefree life in San Martino, Joseph returns unprepared for the secrets that await him. Soon, the life-blood of the local economy is threatened, and Joseph is forced to confront the limits of his parents’ good intentions. As Joseph uncovers the uneasy truth, he unwittingly discovers his true calling.
149 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2022
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21 people want to read
About the author
Adriana Poloz
1 book6 followersAdriana Poloz is a Canadian author and adjunct professor of Criminal Law. Her academic work has been published in Canada’s leading law journals.
Beyond the Bergamot is her debut work of fiction.
Beyond the Bergamot is her debut work of fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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January 19, 2023Beautiful from the first glance of the cover to the last turn of the page. This enchanting novella transports you to a tiny village in southern Italy where you can feel the salt of the sea on your skin and taste the fragrant bergamot in the air. A transcendent tale of the bonds of family and friendship to overcome fear and “walk the path that leads to where your heart beats”.
November 5, 2023
This heartwarming novella truly struck a chord with me. It is a short read (150 pages or so), but I truly enjoyed the concise format, and appreciated the inclusion of a glossary. This novella left me reflecting long after I turned the final page, contemplating the deeper truths hidden within a seemingly simple story.
While it may be a work of fiction, I found many relatable truths woven into its pages. The story unfolded with a delicate touch, presenting characters who felt remarkably genuine. Their joys, sorrows, and everyday struggles resonated deeply with my own experiences. Through their journeys, I discovered a reflection of the human condition, reminding me of the shared emotions and challenges we all face. I found myself laughing, crying, and feeling a profound sense of empathy for the characters.
If you're looking for a heartfelt and relatable read, this novella is a gem. Prepare to be captivated, moved, and reminded of the beautiful truths that exist within our own lives.
While it may be a work of fiction, I found many relatable truths woven into its pages. The story unfolded with a delicate touch, presenting characters who felt remarkably genuine. Their joys, sorrows, and everyday struggles resonated deeply with my own experiences. Through their journeys, I discovered a reflection of the human condition, reminding me of the shared emotions and challenges we all face. I found myself laughing, crying, and feeling a profound sense of empathy for the characters.
If you're looking for a heartfelt and relatable read, this novella is a gem. Prepare to be captivated, moved, and reminded of the beautiful truths that exist within our own lives.
January 20, 2023
Beautifully written story with plenty of unexpected twists. It was quite the page turner, I couldn’t put it down. It might be a little book, but it has heartfelt insight with a story that truly reminds us that life really isn’t about the destination, but the journey and heart beats that take us there!
October 11, 2023
This Novella, while written with a lot of heart, was simultaneously a slog to get through and all too quick to finish. I can’t help but feel that this book, marketed as fiction, would have been done better justice if it were written strictly as a memoir.
None of the “characters” had identifiable personalities or qualities that would allow a reader to form an emotional connection to them or their eventual fates. The story itself is held together by a very loose desire for “family,” but what this means—whether it is tied to the land or the family itself—is thematically unclear.
It seems to me that perhaps this novella was, whether knowingly or not, written on the assumption that the reader already knew Joseph and the Conte family’s story and therefore did not do the legwork required to create a legible plot or established characters.
This being said, you can tell there was a lot of love put into this story (and the cover art was beautiful).
None of the “characters” had identifiable personalities or qualities that would allow a reader to form an emotional connection to them or their eventual fates. The story itself is held together by a very loose desire for “family,” but what this means—whether it is tied to the land or the family itself—is thematically unclear.
It seems to me that perhaps this novella was, whether knowingly or not, written on the assumption that the reader already knew Joseph and the Conte family’s story and therefore did not do the legwork required to create a legible plot or established characters.
This being said, you can tell there was a lot of love put into this story (and the cover art was beautiful).
January 18, 2023
You will fall in love with this little novella from page one! This heartwarming read touches on all the things that make life beautiful, (and sometimes sad). I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a story that reminds us that it is the journey, and not the destination that is important.
February 4, 2023
What a beautiful book from this new author !
From the start the book took me on a journey of the main characters and when I closed my eyes I could almost sense the Italian region where the story took me. The story offers you, as reader, multiple insights in the main characters life, his family and close friends as well as the challenges on his path. Like a good Italian dish, the book is ‘spiced up’ with Italian captures, values and phrases in a very well dosed way and it creates a nice (but essential) context to the story.
I was saddened to finish reading the book as I would like to follow the main character in his journey. Hopefully the author is considering a follow up soon.
From the start the book took me on a journey of the main characters and when I closed my eyes I could almost sense the Italian region where the story took me. The story offers you, as reader, multiple insights in the main characters life, his family and close friends as well as the challenges on his path. Like a good Italian dish, the book is ‘spiced up’ with Italian captures, values and phrases in a very well dosed way and it creates a nice (but essential) context to the story.
I was saddened to finish reading the book as I would like to follow the main character in his journey. Hopefully the author is considering a follow up soon.
June 25, 2023
I came across this book at my local bookstore, and was drawn in by the beautiful cover. This novella is full of heart from start to finish! The author is a gifted writer, and delivers a remarkable portrait of family and friendship - the bonds that bind us, and at times, break us.
My favourite quote: "the wilds of fate and faith demand that peace follow acceptance."
My favourite quote: "the wilds of fate and faith demand that peace follow acceptance."
August 2, 2023
As someone of Calabrese descent I truly enjoyed this novella ana its familiar stories and settings. It was an emotional read that I really connected with.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews