The Summary

Matelda, the matriarch of the Cabrelli family, has always been blunt and opinionated. Now that she is nearing the end of her life, she is determined to tell her family a long-kept secret about her own mother's epic love story, which involved her childhood friend Silvio and the handsome Scottish sea captain John Lawrie McVicars, who served as Matelda's father. When Italy teeters on the verge of World War II, Domenica Cabrelli thrives in the beach town of Viareggio until her beloved home becomes unsafe. As Domenica navigates her way through love, sorrow, and grief while yearning for home, her journey takes her from the jagged cliffs of Marseille to the mystical beauty of Scotland to the perils of wartime Liverpool, where Italian Scots are imprisoned without charge.

One hundred years later, her granddaughter Anina and daughter Matelda grapple with the same existential dilemmas, and Matelda muses on what is truly worth fighting for. But because Matelda is running out of time, the two histories unexpectedly and heartbreakingly converge, leading the family to startling disclosures and, in the end, salvation.

My Review

This book far surpassed my expectations. The story spans several generations and is lovely. Matelda, the matriarch, is nearing old age and death. She reflects on her own life by telling her granddaughter about her mother's own romantic experiences.

A family's love for one another as well as their deepest secrets and trauma are all explored in this story, which takes place between the 1920s and the present. It also contains the most beautiful love story. A marginally more significant World War II historical event was discovered among Tuscany, Marseilles, and Scotland.

There is a clear contrast between the male and female characters. Each of the women is strong, diligent, and perpetually unselfish. They are happy and fatigued at the same time. They can be difficult and snarky at times, but they are always loving. On the other side, the guys aren't as much. Some people are bad and reckless. Even the most conscientious, truthful, and charitable of the others lack the women's character strength.

I didn't quite understand some of the lengthy family secrets, and there were a couple too many side stories, which slowed the plot down a little. The continual explication on the value of family struck me as a touch tedious as well.

I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like the modern characters are always portrayed in the worst possible ways, like the fuel for the aftermath of the story, particularly in this book-length instance. Too much for each book, and in comparison, the personal actions of modern characters lose their depth and turn frivolous and dull.

But it's still a quick read and one that's nice to have. lovely blending of bitter and sweet.

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.