“What are we without love?”
Great characterization. We have people of all ages, sexualities, and social classes. Sometimes you can tell when an author is trying to be diverse, but that isn’t the case here. The characters are so wholesome. That’s not to say they’re perfect, no. They still have their flaws, but they’re so joyful to read from and easy to connect with. Some are depressed, and some are hopeful, as there is always hope in the world.
The story is set between Florence, Italy, and London, England, two great places to tell a story. This is told after the Second World War, and like with the characters, there was so much sorrow but also so much hope for the world in this time period. The cities of the novel really come to life with the characters.
The writing is where this gets tricky. Let’s start with the positives. The dialogue was just so clever, very British. The prose was great as well, but it might be dense for some people. Now, let’s move on to the other bits. The writing was episodic. There were large time jumps or location jumps that did not flow well together, making the story hard to follow at times. As I said earlier, it could get dense, and I will admit I skimmed through some sections because of this.
This is very much a character-driven story. From the title, you can tell that this plot is going to be a slice of life, showcasing the everyday lives of these characters in post-war Europe. The main theme is that of relationships and the impression they leave on a person. Some relationships are quick, while others last for years, but they all leave an impression and bring about even the smallest changes in a person’s life. I loved how hopeful this book made me feel, and it would be perfect to read in the month of June. It has that summery and good feeling. Although I loved this book, it is not a new favorite.
4.25 out of 5 stars.
by beaniebaby729