Echoes of War

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​There has been a plethora of World War II historical novels in recent years and most of them have similar covers, titles and settings – often featuring England, France or Germany. Unless there is something unusual about the story it can be difficult to remember one from the other, so when I read the synopsis of this one, that it was set in Italy, I looked forward to learning something about one of the less-written-about battle fronts.

Giulia is one of five children, the daughter of a Calabrian farmer, but has ambitions to do something more with her life other than become a wife and mother and work on farms. She yearns to be a herbalist and healer like her grandmother, but her father is set against what he considers to be witch’s work and it is only through the encouragement and connivance of other women that she gets the chance to study at a monastery when she learns about herbs and medicine. Her father, however, is furious and remains determined to marry her off to a suitable husband.

Meanwhile, the clouds of war are forming over Italy as the fascist leader Mussolini seeks to build an empire and aligns himself with Hitler. Giulia’s brother and his friends become soldiers and when her father is also called up, the farm is run by the women left behind. In increasingly dangerous circumstances and struggling with personal loss and tragedy, Giulia is finally able to practise her skills and find true love in the process.

The history is well-researched and presented, but there are over-written and tedious passages that can slow the pace. The novel is partly based on the author’s own family background which is detailed in the notes at the end. Giulia’s temperamental and antagonistic behaviour towards those who love her is a bit of a puzzle at times and doesn't always present her in the best light. In fact, some of the lesser characters have more warmth than she does, but that doesn’t detract from a mostly entertaining read that should have a wide appeal for readers looking for a WW2 novel with a different setting.

With many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
 
Three-and-a-half stars.
 
Booktopia
 
Amazon.com.au

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