Sally Brady's Italian Adventure - Christina Lynch

Sally Brady’s Italian Adventure - Christina Lynch

She read

Release Date: June 13, 2023

In 1931, at 11 years of age, Sally is sent by her family, struggling on a farm in Iowa, to LA to try to find a job in order to send money back to them.  By chance, she ends up being “adopted” by a Hollywood actress which leads her on an adventure in Italy as a socialite/anonymous gossip columnist.  Then the Fascists take over and World War II ensues.  Meanwhile, Lapo, married to an American wife and owner of a dilapidated farm and castle, finds himself the attention of Mussolini while his son, Alessandro, is conscripted into the army.  

The story is told in three POVs, Sally’s, Lapo’s, and Alessandro’s.  As strange as it sounds, to me, Sally was a bit of a comic character and her part of the story was almost a light hearted look at the atrocities of WWII.  Hidden in the text, however, are important lessons for today’s world.  The dangers of a cult of personality and conspiracy theorists who seem ridiculous until they start running for offices and winning…how strange it is to “live in an era when things were going backward”…the hatred and intolerance that lead to Fascism…one person who says he alone can fix things….the role of women and how many men, especially authoritarian, try to subjugate them.  One thought I found especially relevant in our time was when the question is raised as to whether our senses of right and wrong are formed by the stories we hear. 

Although it had a bit of a farfetched plot, I found the book an enjoyable read.  It may not be to everyone’s taste; it has a somewhat different take from typical WWII historical novels.  I appreciated it for the sparks of humor, satire, and profound insight. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the ARC.

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