oboejess's reviews
212 reviews

This was an incredible book! Based on a true story, the author tells of the experience of Pino Lella, a 17-almost-18 year old boy in Milan, Italy in 1943. As the Nazis invade and bomb Milan, the story tells of Pino’s life as he goes from a boy that just wants a girlfriend to a spy for the Allies.

There were several times that I was thinking, “I can’t believe this actually happened to this man!” I should also issue the disclaimer that since this is based on a true story, some things had to be embellished/fictionalized because there are gaps in the story. But holy cow, it was intense!

If you are an HSP (highly sensitive person), you may have some trouble reading this book because there isn’t any sugar-coating from the realities of WWII. But the plot is continuous through the book and you will find that you cannot put it down. Strong recommendation from me!!

I throughly enjoyed this book. I’ve read lots of WWII historical fiction, but this one wasn’t as predictable like others I’ve read. Kristin Hannah did a beautiful job of interweaving the main characters’ war experiences but you felt like you were reading 2 separate stories even though they are sisters. I cried when I finished the book and I wanted to throw the book across the room a couple times because I was so mad about things that happened to some minor characters. I felt that it was historically accurate and tells a point of view of the war that doesn’t always get told—the women in occupied countries and how they survived.