Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Berkley Trade (2014), Paperback, 384 pages
Description
"Portofino, Italy, 1943. A young woman steps off a boat in a scenic coastal village. Although she knows how to disappear in a crowd, Elodie is too terrified to slip by the German officers while carrying her poorly forged identity papers. She is frozen until a man she's never met before claims to know her. In desperate need of shelter, Elodie follows him back to his home on the cliffs of Portofino. Only months before, Elodie Bertolotti was a cello prodigy in Verona, unconcerned with world events. But when Mussolini's Fascist regime strikes her family, Elodie is drawn into the burgeoning resistance movement by Luca, a young and impassioned bookseller. As the occupation looms, she discovers that her unique musical talents, and her courage, have the power to save lives. In Portofino, young doctor Angelo Rosselli gives the frightened and exhausted girl sanctuary. He is a man with painful secrets of his own, haunted by guilt and remorse. But Elodie's arrival has the power to awaken a sense of hope and joy that Angelo thought was lost to him forever. Written in dazzling prose and set against the rich backdrop of World War II Italy, Garden of Letters captures the hope, suspense, and romance of an uncertain era, in an epic intertwining story of first love, great tragedy, and spectacular bravery. "--… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member nbmars
The author’s previous book, The Lost Wife (a must-read!), took us into the World War II Nazi concentrations camps in Czechoslovakia and Germany with skill, compassion, and exceptional faithfulness to the historical record. Here the author returns to that time period, but in this book she shows us
This story is told from two points of view, that of Elodie Bertolotti, a young cello prodigy of 20 in Verona, and Angelo Roselli, a 38-year-old doctor in Portofino. As the story begins in October, 1943, Elodie has just arrived in Portofino, where Angelo rescues Elodie from possible apprehension by the Germans checking papers at the dock.
The narrative then goes back in time - eight years prior for Angelo and six months earlier for Elodie, to show us how the two got to where they were in the beginning of the book.
Angelo had been part of the military deployment to Ethiopia. Shortly before, he had married the beautiful girl Dahlia whom he met in his final year in medical school.
Elodie and her best friend Lena joined the partisans in Verona after Elodie’s father had been brutalized by the Blackshirts. Elodie acts as a messenger, using her facility with memory as well as music to aid the resistance.
When Elodie and Angelo meet in Portofino, they both have lived through what seemed like a lifetime of fear, pain, shock, and sorrow. The light that was so bright in their lives has surrendered to darkness. They come to realize that they have each been given the key to figure out how to honor the love of those they lost, and still carry on with their lives.
Discussion: There are so many wonderful parts to this story that I don’t want to spoil, so you will have to discover them on your own. But I would be remiss not to point out the many lovely ways in which Elodie’s immersion into music informs her perspective of the world. Books also play a central role in this story. In particular, one of my favorite books in the whole world is the one that teaches Elodie and Angelo something very important about the nature of love.
Evaluation: This author is so good. She combines historical integrity with the ability to tell a wonderful story. In an afterword, she explains the true stories that became the bases for this novel, and I encourage readers to explore this touching coda to the book.
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what it was like for the people in Italy. This story is told from two points of view, that of Elodie Bertolotti, a young cello prodigy of 20 in Verona, and Angelo Roselli, a 38-year-old doctor in Portofino. As the story begins in October, 1943, Elodie has just arrived in Portofino, where Angelo rescues Elodie from possible apprehension by the Germans checking papers at the dock.
The narrative then goes back in time - eight years prior for Angelo and six months earlier for Elodie, to show us how the two got to where they were in the beginning of the book.
Angelo had been part of the military deployment to Ethiopia. Shortly before, he had married the beautiful girl Dahlia whom he met in his final year in medical school.
Elodie and her best friend Lena joined the partisans in Verona after Elodie’s father had been brutalized by the Blackshirts. Elodie acts as a messenger, using her facility with memory as well as music to aid the resistance.
When Elodie and Angelo meet in Portofino, they both have lived through what seemed like a lifetime of fear, pain, shock, and sorrow. The light that was so bright in their lives has surrendered to darkness. They come to realize that they have each been given the key to figure out how to honor the love of those they lost, and still carry on with their lives.
Discussion: There are so many wonderful parts to this story that I don’t want to spoil, so you will have to discover them on your own. But I would be remiss not to point out the many lovely ways in which Elodie’s immersion into music informs her perspective of the world. Books also play a central role in this story. In particular, one of my favorite books in the whole world is the one that teaches Elodie and Angelo something very important about the nature of love.
Evaluation: This author is so good. She combines historical integrity with the ability to tell a wonderful story. In an afterword, she explains the true stories that became the bases for this novel, and I encourage readers to explore this touching coda to the book.
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LibraryThing member susan0316
I have read many books about the Resistance in France during WWII but this is the first book that I have read about the Resistance movement in Italy during the war. The main character Elodie is an innocent young music prodigy when the war starts in Italy. As she sees the changes going on in her
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world and in her home, she quickly grows up and becomes part of the resistance movement. The story is beautifully told both through the author's words and through the music that Elodie plays. Its a story that is both ugly and beautiful, sad yet hopeful for the future. I think its a fantastic book! Show Less
LibraryThing member cabockwrites
am fascinated by Italy during World War II. A nation with its own empire ambitions, a fascist nation, one ruled under Mussolini and his Blackshirts, with the general consent of the Italians. However, late in the war, the Italian King Emanuel, turns against Mussolini, and he flees north. The war
However, all this is background to Richman's The Garden of Letters, set in Verona, Venice and Portofino during WWII -- and sometimes seems too much as background, but this is essentially a romance, a compelling story of Elodie,one young cello player and her activity via her unique photographic memory and her musical ability in the resistance. But the heart of the story is a love story between people in war and feels a bit like a very good classic movie from the 1940s. A young Sophia Loren would play the main character. Vittorio de Sica would play the doctor, who saves her.
The novel is moving in parts, a bit slow, flat, drumming in others; it crescendos as the Nazi's overtake northern Italy and Elodie. A quick read. If you liked her other novel, The Lost Wife, also set during WWII, which I did, you'd like this.
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brutally lands on Italian soil as the Allies invade from Sicily and the Nazis from the North.However, all this is background to Richman's The Garden of Letters, set in Verona, Venice and Portofino during WWII -- and sometimes seems too much as background, but this is essentially a romance, a compelling story of Elodie,one young cello player and her activity via her unique photographic memory and her musical ability in the resistance. But the heart of the story is a love story between people in war and feels a bit like a very good classic movie from the 1940s. A young Sophia Loren would play the main character. Vittorio de Sica would play the doctor, who saves her.
The novel is moving in parts, a bit slow, flat, drumming in others; it crescendos as the Nazi's overtake northern Italy and Elodie. A quick read. If you liked her other novel, The Lost Wife, also set during WWII, which I did, you'd like this.
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LibraryThing member haymaai
I received Alyson Richman’s book, The Garden of Letters, as a Goodreads Giveaway book, and I was impressed by the author’s artistry in writing so beautifully and descriptively. Her refreshing similes and thoughtful word choice contributed to my interest in the novel, even though at times the
Warning: Spoiler. My only real disagreement with the plot resulted from Elodie’s sexual encounter with Angelo, which occurs only days after the loss of her boyfriend Luca. If Luca is truly the love of her life and the father of her impending child, then I found it so unbelievable that Elodie could become sexually involved so soon with another man, whether it is out of loneliness or just friendship.
Otherwise, I thought that The Garden of Letters was an evocative story that portrays the efforts of the Italian resistance to ward off Nazi Germany, and the author deftly draws the reader in to empathize with the bravery and human spirit of its characters.
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story did seem to drag on. But being a war story, and realizing that wars are prolonged, I felt that The Garden of Letters aptly represented some of the tragic events and life threatening situations that war presents. Warning: Spoiler. My only real disagreement with the plot resulted from Elodie’s sexual encounter with Angelo, which occurs only days after the loss of her boyfriend Luca. If Luca is truly the love of her life and the father of her impending child, then I found it so unbelievable that Elodie could become sexually involved so soon with another man, whether it is out of loneliness or just friendship.
Otherwise, I thought that The Garden of Letters was an evocative story that portrays the efforts of the Italian resistance to ward off Nazi Germany, and the author deftly draws the reader in to empathize with the bravery and human spirit of its characters.
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LibraryThing member wrbinpa
My emotions were strongly engaged in this deeply touching story. The author certainly has a style of her own, writing in a lyrical way, bringing to life this dark period in our history. You’ll become entangled in sadness throughout, with the atrocities and horrors of the war. The brutality of the
The author cleverly weaves together different time periods in Italy, bringing the characters stories and lives together.
Elodie, a young Italian girl in her early twenties, was destined to become a great cellist. But outside the world is blackening with the encroaching war. It had been more than twenty years that Italians had been living under Fascism, but in the past five, it had become unbearable. Mussolini’s insatiability for more power overtook him, and his alliance with Hitler was betraying the men, women, and children of Italy. Italy begins preparing for a German invasion.
The brutality of Fascism becomes even more evident to Elodie when her father is beaten beyond recognition. Elodie and her friend, Lena, become involved with Italy’s early Resistance. The partisans in the mountains were relying on them to get their messages to their contacts in the city. Elodie has two necessary things to complete this mission - her fantastic memory, and her musical talent. And the story unfolds, as Elodie, a cello student from Verona, becomes a staffetta for the Resistance when she carries hidden codes for the Resistance within her music.
There was much depth and complexity to the characters. The author certainly brought these people to life in this multi-layered storyline, and captured life in Italy during WWII in vivid detail. The Garden of Letters is an amazing read and definitely a favorite for 2014. 5 stars.
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Nazis was unbelievable. The author cleverly weaves together different time periods in Italy, bringing the characters stories and lives together.
Elodie, a young Italian girl in her early twenties, was destined to become a great cellist. But outside the world is blackening with the encroaching war. It had been more than twenty years that Italians had been living under Fascism, but in the past five, it had become unbearable. Mussolini’s insatiability for more power overtook him, and his alliance with Hitler was betraying the men, women, and children of Italy. Italy begins preparing for a German invasion.
The brutality of Fascism becomes even more evident to Elodie when her father is beaten beyond recognition. Elodie and her friend, Lena, become involved with Italy’s early Resistance. The partisans in the mountains were relying on them to get their messages to their contacts in the city. Elodie has two necessary things to complete this mission - her fantastic memory, and her musical talent. And the story unfolds, as Elodie, a cello student from Verona, becomes a staffetta for the Resistance when she carries hidden codes for the Resistance within her music.
There was much depth and complexity to the characters. The author certainly brought these people to life in this multi-layered storyline, and captured life in Italy during WWII in vivid detail. The Garden of Letters is an amazing read and definitely a favorite for 2014. 5 stars.
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LibraryThing member LivelyLady
Story of a young girl who plays the cello. She works for the resistance, relocates to Portofino and is taken in by a stranger. Good research for the book by the author. Also, ingenuous use of the cello for passing on info with her work with the resistance. Good story line, but somehow the writing
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style did not draw me in like some others have. I would recommend this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member cfk
The Garden of Letters is one of the most well written, character driven novels I've read in a long time. The setting flows from Portofino to Verona, Italy and back again during the lead up to the Nazi invasion of Italy.
Elodie was a child prodigy on the cello before the deadly beating of her Father
Angelo is a widowed doctor in Portofino who recognizes the fear in Elodie, now called Anna, as she lands at the town dock under Nazi scrutiny. Every few months he chooses someone to save and shelter from the occupation troops.
Elodie was a child prodigy on the cello before the deadly beating of her Father
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by the local Blackshirts. From that moment she is drawn into the early Italian resistance movement. She carries messages in her music which remain undetected.Angelo is a widowed doctor in Portofino who recognizes the fear in Elodie, now called Anna, as she lands at the town dock under Nazi scrutiny. Every few months he chooses someone to save and shelter from the occupation troops.
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LibraryThing member Dream24
I received an ARC through Goodreads.
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I rather enjoyed reading this. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading, but the more I read, the more engrossed I became.
It was lovely to see how Elodie's passion for music became alive, and eventually transferred her passions towards Luca. History
The characters were very interesting and and outstanding in their own way. The more I read about them (Elodie, Luca and Angelo), the more I wanted them to continue with what they are passionate with and to have a happy ending, especially when the continent is on the verge of war.
It's interesting to see how things come in full circle for Elodie and Angelo and how their lives and tales interconnect and the woes and troubles that brought them together.
Everyone does what it takes to survive, it's amazing to see what Elodie and her friend and mom does to step up to the plate when the situation turned for the worse. The war certainly brings out the best and worst of humanity, but it makes you appreciate life and small beauty all the more.
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I rather enjoyed reading this. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading, but the more I read, the more engrossed I became.
It was lovely to see how Elodie's passion for music became alive, and eventually transferred her passions towards Luca. History
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has come alive through this book, thanks to the use of codes in books and codes hidden in music. The characters were very interesting and and outstanding in their own way. The more I read about them (Elodie, Luca and Angelo), the more I wanted them to continue with what they are passionate with and to have a happy ending, especially when the continent is on the verge of war.
It's interesting to see how things come in full circle for Elodie and Angelo and how their lives and tales interconnect and the woes and troubles that brought them together.
Everyone does what it takes to survive, it's amazing to see what Elodie and her friend and mom does to step up to the plate when the situation turned for the worse. The war certainly brings out the best and worst of humanity, but it makes you appreciate life and small beauty all the more.
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LibraryThing member Sarah_Gruwell
An intriguing tale of resistance against the invading Germans and one young lady’s growth in her music and as a woman, this book cements my love for this author. I adored her previous novel, The Lost Wife, with its richness and historical details. So I went into this book with high expectations;
The author’s writing style needs a special mention. It’s rich with phrase choice and symbolism; the whole garden of letters and imagery on the walls made tears come to my eyes from how beautiful it sounded emotionally. Her writing is almost lyrical in its presentation; she makes that work where others would be too wordy or esoteric.
I loved this exploration of WWII in Italy and that country’s role in the struggle. Seeing the Resistance start to build only to be cut down so soon was heart-wrenching. I also found myself intrigued by the different ways that they passed messages around; the idea of hiding a message in a musical score performance boggles the mind. These people put so much passion into fighting against their invaders that the reader can’t help but be sucked into the story, heart and soul.
I adored Elodie. She’s such a rich character to explore the story through. A musical prodigy that showed so much promise, it surprises to see where she ends up in the end after so much struggle and strife. She grows so much and learns what truly matters in life, suffering tragedy after tragedy to find true happiness after it all.
Another winner from Richman. She meets the grades again on historical details, great writing style, and characters that engage you. I found myself engrossed by this look at WWII in Italy and Elodie’s growth as a woman. Highly, highly recommended for lovers of WWII historical fiction.
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they were all met.The author’s writing style needs a special mention. It’s rich with phrase choice and symbolism; the whole garden of letters and imagery on the walls made tears come to my eyes from how beautiful it sounded emotionally. Her writing is almost lyrical in its presentation; she makes that work where others would be too wordy or esoteric.
I loved this exploration of WWII in Italy and that country’s role in the struggle. Seeing the Resistance start to build only to be cut down so soon was heart-wrenching. I also found myself intrigued by the different ways that they passed messages around; the idea of hiding a message in a musical score performance boggles the mind. These people put so much passion into fighting against their invaders that the reader can’t help but be sucked into the story, heart and soul.
I adored Elodie. She’s such a rich character to explore the story through. A musical prodigy that showed so much promise, it surprises to see where she ends up in the end after so much struggle and strife. She grows so much and learns what truly matters in life, suffering tragedy after tragedy to find true happiness after it all.
Another winner from Richman. She meets the grades again on historical details, great writing style, and characters that engage you. I found myself engrossed by this look at WWII in Italy and Elodie’s growth as a woman. Highly, highly recommended for lovers of WWII historical fiction.
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LibraryThing member crazeedi73
I enjoyed this book very much. Eloise with her cello spoke to my heart
LibraryThing member kimkimkim
Almost 4 stars - when I finished the book I thought the ending was too easy and lacking the depth of the rest of the book. Having said that, the writing was beautiful, the setting different and the story well told and interesting. I found myself totally invested in the this book.
ISBN
0425266257 / 9780425266250