Book Review: The Generosity of Strangers by Thomas E. Antonaccio

Review: The Generosity of Strangers
Series: —
Author: Thomas E. Antonaccio
No of Pages: Kindle
Release Date: Published September 2012

Synopsis:

“The Generosity of Strangers: When War Came to Fornelli is written in first person, free verse, and consists of a series of vignettes chronicling the real life experiences of a young girl and her family in war-torn Italy in the 1940s. The story is set in the town of Fornelli–a tiny hilltop community in Italy’s mountainous heart.

For Lucia and her family, life in Fornelli is anything but boring. Life is difficult, yet tranquil. But soon the war comes, and life in Fornelli is tranquil no more.

The Generosity of Strangers: When War Came to Fornelli is a true accounting from the eyes of Lucia, about faith, hope, and courage in the midst of war and its aftermath. It poetically conveys how even in desperate times people can open their hearts and rise above adversity.”

My thoughts:

This was a very interesting story. As the synopsis says it is written in free verse and is quite lyrical! I love the “feeling” that you get while reading, the almost lull of the words was similar in spirit to gentle waves brushing a shoreline.

Although this is a very short read and does say children’s, I would want to express that there are situations that younger children may find difficult. The story of Befana not being real for instance, war and death are some themes that although Thomas E. Antonaccio only touches on these things they are in there.

But with that being said this story was a very easy read. Very well done even with the years that you go through with Lucia. You see that her life is not all a can of peaches but they take the hard times and pick themselves back up and move on. It’s very positive and I hope that book two of this will expand the story of the family even further. Quite interesting, fun read about a family. Just a family, but it’s a great one.

Part of an Author Interview:

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. Because even in the darkest hour, people can open their hearts

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? I would love to do a sequel to The Generosity of Strangers: When War Comes to Fornelli. People are already asking me if I plan to do a sequel. In the interim, I’m writing a short story that is somewhat autobiographical. It’s still in the formative stages, so I won’t say much more…but it’s a writing project about which I’m very excited.

What inspired you to want to become a writer? I have always been a voracious reader, so that has to be the number one inspiration. The fact that I’ve traveled all over the world and lived 15 years overseas is a close second.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published. One always expects a close friend or family member to praise your writing. However, when I receive positive, heartfelt feedback from a perfect stranger…it’s exhilarating, especially if it’s from someone abroad—outside the USA. Good storytelling does cross boundaries.

See all of this interview with Thomas E. Antonaccio at Mommy Adventures with Ravina

Visit Thomas E. Antonaccio:

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So, I think I’m becoming obsessed with WWII. The stories that are told just seem amazing to me. Very reminiscent of King Henry VIII. Most are so horrifying that you just can’t stop reading them. What do you guys think? Any obsessions over certain genres?