Review: Not all Bastards are from Vienna

Not all Bastards are from Vienna by Andrea Molesini
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book took off very slowly. So slowly, in fact, that I was afraid that it would end up in my DNF pile. However, when I had read about 40% it started picking up.

I wanted to read the book because it's author won the Campiello Prize in Italy, and there are great authors among the winners. The title, I have to confess, put me off a bit. It certainly isn't attractive!

It's the story of the Spada family, who live in Northern Italy during World War I. Their home is invaded by the enemy army and they scramble not just to survive, but to resist the invading armies.
The characters are very well described: Paolo Spada, the orphaned grandson. Nancy and Guglielmo, his quirky grandparents, Donna Maria his aunt. Lovely Giulia who has been exiled from Venice due to her "bad behavior", Renato, Teresa and Loretta. And last but not least, Don Lorenzo, the priest.
The plot ins't just about a war and what it entails for all of the Spadas. It's a coming of age story, as well as a family story.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

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