2024 the best of youth italian film review

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A promise keeps them apart until WWII threatens to destroy their love forever.

Fonzaso, Italy, between two wars.

Nina Argenta doesn’t want the traditional life of a rural Italian woman. The daughter of a strong-willed midwife, she is determined to define her own destiny. But when her brother emigrates to America, she promises her mother to never leave. When childhood friend Pietro Pante briefly returns to their mountain town, passion between them ignites while Mussolini forces political tensions to rise.

Just as their romance deepens, Pietro must leave again for work in the coal mines of America. Nina is torn between joining him and her commitment to Italy and her mother. As Mussolini’s Fascists throw the country into chaos and Hitler’s Nazis terrorize their town, each day becomes a struggle to survive greater atrocities. A future with Pietro seems impossible when they lose contact and Nina’s dreams of a life together are threatened by Nazi occupation and an enemy she must face alone.

Reviewer: Anna
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Poignant Must-Read
Review: “How stupid is war?...Men die, families are torn apart, everyone is poor and pathetic. Why do we ever go to war?” - Nina Argenta!! TW: mature/explicit content, SI, extreme violence, death !!"Under the Light of the Italian Moon" by Jennifer Anton is an absolutely mesmerizing journey through time and emotion that deserves every bit of its 5 stars. Based on true events that occurred in Northern Italy between the wars, not far from where my own family is from, this story particularly resonated with me, with its vivid and immersive portrayal of Italy during a tumultuous period in its history. The characterization of each character is remarkable, and the protagonist, Nina Argenta, is a compelling, resilient, and real character who faces unimaginable challenges (however sadly common at the time) with determination and grace. Anton's storytelling is both evocative and emotionally charged, showing readers the beauty and tragedy of Nina's world from multiple points of view. Additionally, naming conventions notwithstanding, the book's attention to historical detail paints a striking picture of Italy throughout the Great War and during the rise of fascism and World War II, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.A masterfully crafted historical novel that transports readers to a bygone era filled with love, sacrifice, and the enduring human spirit, this a poignant must-read.

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Informative, Compelling, Well-Written, Thought-Provoking!
Review: I loved that this book is based on real people and their compelling and emotional life stories. I appreciate the fact that a book of this nature requires much research and many time - consuming interviews. Having read many books within the World War II genre, I really appreciate the openness and truthful perspective which deliver a historical aspect to a very personal narrative. I feel that this is a much needed element within the genre of historical fiction, and should be embraced and utilized whenever that truthful information is available. And yes, the book has a timely and cautionary message for this time in our current day & experience.I would recommend this book to young adults, lovers of historical fiction, and students of history, because, in my opinion, it has much embedded truth and reality within a truly beautiful story of survival, faith, and the indomitable human spirit.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Riveting!
Review: My favorite genre is historical fiction based on true stories and “Under the Light of the Italian Moon” is a perfect combination of everything I appreciate in a novel. Not only it’s based on the author’s family history, but it’s meticulously researched and written with such heart, you’ll feel instantly attached to the characters and find yourself rooting for them as they go through their struggles. Nina and her mother, the local midwife who delivered more than a thousand babies, are truly worthy of admiration. Their integrity and desire to fight for a woman’s right to decide whether to have a family or not instead of following Mussolini’s insane “breeding cow” program that, no doubt, caused many unnecessary deaths, is something worth applauding. In the dark era of Il Duce, when just speaking out against the regime could lead to one’s denunciation, Nina and her mother fought with all they could to protect the vulnerable women under their charge and later, as the war broke out, Nina’s courage and desire to help save not just her patients, but the lives of the persecuted. The romance that never died despite everything Nina and her husband Pietro had to go through will make you tear up in the end; yes, it’s that emotional. And the main message the book carries - stand up for what is right no matter what the cost - is truly timeless and is more relevant today than ever. It’s a book about family, about brave women’s path, about courage and resilience, about immigrants’ struggles and eternal love. If you love historical fiction and particularly novels based on true stories, don’t even hesitate about picking this one up. You’ll thank me later, I promise.

Reviewer: Lorna Gundaker
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Under the Light of An Italian Moon
Review: I read this book in one evening. The story of families caught between The Duce and Hitler are very real as are every personality in the book. It’s even better when you find out why. It is a true story of an Italian family and the families of their small town in the Dolomites mountains of Italy. This a very detailed history of Jennifer Anton’s family and what led to her family’s immigration to America. Her mother and Father were separated for decades as he immigrated to America first. They lost touch with each other during WWII. A truly fascinating, faith filled journey through tragedy and trials that a large family helps each other through. I couldn’t stop reading this. Anyone who loves 1. Family stories 2. Italy 3. WW II4. Immigrant stories 5. Love stories will enjoy.

Reviewer: Vince Sponis
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I enjoy reading historical novels based on true stories. The stories of the women in this novel inspired me and were affirming. I am a first generation Italian immigrant. My parents were part of the resistance during the war. Their stories of Mussolini in his early years is reflected here. It is a story not often told. Beyond the familiar stories of the ravages of war on poor village people, this is a beautiful account of women's lives as community leaders, healers, mothers, daughters. The love story is beautiful, tragic, passionate, joyful. Jennifer Anton has managed to write a novel about Italian women that does not replicate stereotypes, but rather offers an insight into their complexity, strength, compassion and passion. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the lives of women before they immigrated to North America. It will give you a peek into how that life shaped this immigrant life and became part of the next generation's legacy. I really enjoyed this book and will miss the characters but I will cherish the memories it sparked of my own family's women's stories.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Fison
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I loved that all the main characters in this book were women. Strong,capable, brave, and pragmatic. Men, except for Pietro are largely ignored in the storyline . The brutality of the actions of men during the war is told bluntly whilst at the same time with great empathy and tenderness as regards the victims of a brutal regime. The author is able to get her characters to convey a whole range of emotions without being overly sentimental. For all the novel is about the strength of women to carry on when life is seemingly at it's darkest hour it is also about hope and love . The love of a woman for her husband, her family, her town and her faith. I couldn't put it down and at the same time I didn't want it to end.

Reviewer: nirmala pillai
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: One of the best saga and real life stories I have ever read. Please write more novels and I want every one to read it . Love it so much that I will re read it again for strengthStrong inspiring women

Reviewer: Ferrari
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I cannot begin to tell you how amazing this book is, from start to finish it excelled all expectations, what a fantastic author to capture ever essence of this pure and truly remarkable love story.I honestly had goosebumps reading this and at times I was also in tears feeling every emotion these poor people had to suffer during the war.The strength and courage for survival made me think of my grandparents, my parents and all my family who endured such horrific circumstances during this terrible war.This book really made me understand how truly amazing they were to get through all this and having heard stories from family members this book felt as though I was really experiencing this too.If like me your parents emigrated to a foreign land for a better life, then read this book to appreciate everything they sacrificed for us, so we could have a better future & life.This book is part of every emigrated person’s history.I will treasure this book for life and give it to my grandchildren one day.Thank you.Grazie mille!

Reviewer: Janniemci
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: What an incredible story and so well written. I couldn't put it down. I don't think that I have cried so much in a while. This book made me laugh and cry and thoroughly entranced me. Thank you Jennifer.