In 1968, Belice in Sicily suffered a huge earthquake. Surviviors fled and relocated. Secrets in Sicily is set in a fictional place called Roccamare anIn 1968, Belice in Sicily suffered a huge earthquake. Surviviors fled and relocated. Secrets in Sicily is set in a fictional place called Roccamare and follows Jess and Alex McKenzie on yet another summer holiday to Villa Ercole and well-known welcome guests for owners Gerald and Dolly. Lily, Jess and Alex's daughter, has many many fond memories of her choldhood holidays on this part of the island. She was adopted as a child but for the most part she and her family have a privileged life. It is on their boliday to the island in 1977 that, Lily, then aged 10, meets a mysterious woman named Carlotta on a beach. From that day on, her life changes and 10 years later she vows to return to Sicily to uncover secrets she needs answers to. Who is Carlotta? What does she want? How is her appearance and presence going to affect Lily and the other characters?
In Secrets in Sicily, Penny Feeny weaves an intricate tale of secrets and family bonds and it is set in beautiful Sicily. I felt I got a good feeling for what the island is like, although the descriptions are mainly used as a compliment to the plot. Despite this, they were well-described although I felt like I wanted the descriptions of the scenery, food and Italian customs to be more vivid. I liked Lily and the book has a wonderful summery feel and captures the anticipation and happiness of being somewhere you love as a child and then returning years later.
A relaxing and laid-back summer-themed story. 3.5 stars,
Thanks to Penny Feeny and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review Blog tour post on July 15th. Book#2 for the Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Reverse Readathon July 2018. Thank you for a slot on the blog tour for this title....more
Book of the Month (BOM) listen (ebook) July 2018 for Nothing But Reading Challenges group on Goodreads. First book of Dewey's 24 Hour Summer ReadathonBook of the Month (BOM) listen (ebook) July 2018 for Nothing But Reading Challenges group on Goodreads. First book of Dewey's 24 Hour Summer Readathon July 2018.
For Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew in 1942, life continues as normal until the day he is forced to go to Auschwitz. From then on he is confined to the concentration camp and subjected to its punishing routines. The life he once had is a distant memory as he becomes just a number.
When he is singled out from the rest of the prisoners to become a tattooist, he feels like luck is on his side, for he has, in part, escaped the backbreaking work the other prisoners have to do.
The queue of people is long, but there he meets Gita, who will prove an invaluable support to him during the dark days at one of the world's most notorious concentration camps as they witness the unspeakable in degrading and humiliating atrocities that form part of daily life.
All through this novel, my heart was in my mouth and shivers ran down my spine. I felt real fear for all the prisoners but especially Lale and Gita and I was glad they found each other.
Heather Morris is an incredibly talented author and I felt I was inside the concentration camp. The atrocities and conditions in this hellish place were portrayed with no strings attached which takes skill and sensitivity to show.
Huge thanks to Heather Morris and publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
5 stars, If you liked The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, add this to your reading list! I'm eagerly awaiting book 2 in the Tattooist of Auschwitz series....more
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