Play Book Tag discussion

OliverMagnus has this as the # 30 and I am reading it for another Challenge Group. If Anyone else is interested, please do join us!

I read this one already. Definitely interested to see what other PBTers think . . .

I'm planning to start tomorrow. I've owned it since April 1, 2017 but keep passing on it. It was a perfect candidate for the Trim challenge so I'm glad its number is finally up.

I don't want to be a debbie downer, but I have heard folks didn't care for this one. There were a few people that loved it. I heard one thing about this one, was that folks appreciated the WW2 Italian perspective which isn't often heard. But i was reading Thread of Grace for a PBT challenge when this book was being talked about, so I had a category example for that. But since its Trim, you guys are locked in anyway. Tell us what you think?

Amy wrote: "I don't want to be a debbie downer, but I have heard folks didn't care for this one. There were a few people that loved it. I heard one thing about this one, was that folks appreciated the WW2 Ital..."

I am really liking. I hope it doesn't go down hill for me- It is not my # 30-just been wanting to read for a while and sliding it in on my SRC Summer reading list

I'm liking the story so far but don't care for the overly dramatic writing style. The author is clear from the beginning that he idolizes Pino and I'm wondering if that has added to the somewhat flamboyant style. I do appreciate the Italian setting for a nice change of location of a WW2 story.

Olivermagnus wrote: "I'm liking the story so far but don't care for the overly dramatic writing style. The author is clear from the beginning that he idolizes Pino and I'm wondering if that has added to the somewhat fl..."

Yes the location was one of the reasons I wanted to read it-My father served in Italy, and he rarely talked about it.

I am enjoying Pino's story, and I agree with you on the style-you may be right that Sullivan was so enamored with Pino, that he felt he had to "lift him up" in his writing. However, I think the story could carry itself well without any extra embellishment. I just started on Chapter 10-trying to get at least 2 chapters a day done.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a grand adventure and it was a lot of fun to read. I loved the location and the new perspective on the war. I learned interesting things that I hadn't read before (and I've read a lot of WWII fiction). I read this book more than a year ago, and many parts of this book have stayed with me for a long time.

I didn't think the writing was overly dramatic when I read it, but I can see Oliver's point. It's not literary fiction by any means, but the writing is on par with popular action thrillers. I felt that the exuberance was coming from Pino rather than the author. He seemed like such a hopeless romantic. He reminded me of Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful) as well as my first (Italian) boyfriend.

I don't think the story was 100% accurate, and I wouldn't expect it to be after so many years. Our memories get changed a little every time we tell a story, or learn new information, particularly about dramatic events. I would guess that some of the spy stuff was embellished, especially because many individuals used in spy networks are rarely able to see the big picture or understand what contributions they made.

NancyJ wrote: "I really enjoyed this book. It was a grand adventure and it was a lot of fun to read. I loved the location and the new perspective on the war. I learned interesting things that I hadn't read before..."

I did not go into this expecting "Accurate history" and that is probably because I had no idea it was a true story-I just had as Historical Fiction on my shelf.


I am not sure where OliverM is at in the story so I am going to put this next bit into a spoiler (view spoiler)[ I read chapters 10 and 11 last night Nancy. This is the point where Pino and Mimo are taking the pregnant violinist over the mountain. The dramatics here, even for an action thriller, were way over done IMO. I also started hating the violinist-wanted to strangle that b----. Until they skied down the hill-then I finally got her. She was terrified, she was pregnant. One of the last things in life she imagined was running from her home, losing her husband. But as she flew down the hill on Pino's back, she finally felt like she could move on, that she could do anything. I connected with her then. (hide spoiler)]

Joanne - I was laughing hysterically at the violinist section.

Joanne wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I really enjoyed this book. It was a grand adventure and it was a lot of fun to read. I loved the location and the new perspective on the war. I learned interesting things that I had..."

I remember being scared for all of them. I don't remember the specifics about the violinist, but I might have seen some of myself in her. I can imagine looking at the mountains and snow and saying, "No.... I think I'll take my chances in Italy."

I read Thread of Grace more recently than Scarlet Sky. I wish I had both books handy because I seem to remember that in Thread of Grace, people escaped INTO Italy by going through the mountains (from the northeast?), but in Scarlet Sky, Pino was helping people get OUT of Italy (into France?). Based on Thread of Grace, I think people might have been safer in Italy. Also in The Nightingale, they were sneaking downed pilots over mountains too I think.

NancyJ wrote: "Joanne wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I really enjoyed this book. It was a grand adventure and it was a lot of fun to read. I loved the location and the new perspective on the war. I learned interesting th..."

Nancy, they were escaping into Switzerland-At this time Italy was not safe-There were Germans everywhere rounding up the Jewish people, and Mussolini was not any better. In the Nightingale, I believe they were going over The Pyrenees, which separate France and Spain

Olivermagnus wrote: "Joanne - I was laughing hysterically at the violinist section."

I suppose it was laugh worthy-I did enjoy them flying down them mountain together

I'm over halfway done and find that I like the story much more than in the beginning. The author seems to have toned down his writing a bit, possibly because things have gotten more serious.

Joanne wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Joanne wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I really enjoyed this book. It was a grand adventure and it was a lot of fun to read. I loved the location and the new perspective on the war. I learned..."


Thanks Joanne. That makes a lot more sense.

They were planning to make a movie based on this book, with Amy Pascal producing, and Tom Holland as Pino. I don't know if it's still in the works.

Olivermagnus wrote: "I'm over halfway done and find that I like the story much more than in the beginning. The author seems to have toned down his writing a bit, possibly because things have gotten more serious."

Just finished Chapter 14. When I started on this part (Pino delivering the message across war torn Milan and Tullio getting captured) I felt the writing tone down too-not so sure I like it though...we'll see where I land, right now at a solid 3 star

I am only a little farther in then I was the other day, but I see now what you mean OliverM , about the the story getting deeper-and I decided I am enjoying it more. Hoping to have more time to read on the week-end. We have had so much rain here in Michigan, that every time it stops I have taken the opportunity to get out to my garden. I normally take an hour or so to read in the afternoon, and I have not been able to do that for weeks!

Joanne wrote: "I am only a little farther in then I was the other day, but I see now what you mean OliverM , about the the story getting deeper-and I decided I am enjoying it more. Hoping to have more time to rea..."

I spend the summers in Holland, Michigan and I agree about the rain. Last year it seems like we got hot early and it stayed hot most of the summer. I've only been able to sit outside a couple times so far.

Made it through Chapter 22 and enjoying these sections much more than the beginning of the book-Pino's interaction with the General and getting more back ground on him, and all the other side characters. I am not liking Pino's uncle, who seems to think it is ok to put his family in jeopardy. However I think this was just how it was-either stand up and do something, or subject yourself to the Germans. And, I fear the growing relationship with Pino and Anna is not going to end well, even though I would like it to be a happy after ever scenario.

I'm done. I found many parts of it were interesting but overall, I just didn't buy that it was mostly a true story. I would like to read more about the Italian experiences of WW2 though.

I have about 1/3 left to go, and I have just put out of my mind that is suppose to be a true story-read your review and I agree, just too much for one teen age boy to have experienced! Should be done later in the week-May and June have been really bad reading months for me, too much going on.

Joanne wrote: "I have about 1/3 left to go, and I have just put out of my mind that is suppose to be a true story-read your review and I agree, just too much for one teen age boy to have experienced! Should be do..."

It was still an interesting and less mentioned part of WW2 history.

Well I finished....it was OK-I gave it 3 stars, contemplated lower, but I did not hate it-I just wanted to love it more than I did.

I am glad I learned more about the Italian front, my father was stationed in Italy and spent time near Milan and Monte Crisco-I thought about him a lot while reading. I am going to search out other stories about this area during the war-any suggestions?

I agree with you - I wanted to love it too.

WW2 Set in Italy

Olivermagnus wrote: "I agree with you - I wanted to love it too.

WW2 Set in Italy"

Olivermagnus wrote: "I agree with you - I wanted to love it too.

WW2 Set in Italy"

Thanks for the link! I actually have a few of them on my shelf.

...and I just added four more-UGH! I spent the last few hours parring down my TBR list! I have no self control!