Tuscan Rose

By: Belinda Alexandra

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 23 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

A mysterious stranger known as 'The Wolf' leaves an infant with the sisters of Santo Spirito. A tiny silver key hidden in her wrappings is the only clue to the child's identity and so begins a story as intriguing and beautiful as the city of Florence itself. Belinda Alexandra's new novel, Tuscan Rose, is set in Italy during the time of Mussolini. This richly woven tale of passion, love, longing, witchcraft and magic promises to be everything her readers love and more.

©2010 Belinda Alexandra (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Fantastic storyline

This book made me smile, laugh and cry. The only drawback was the failure of the recording to edit out the narrator’s dry mouth swallowing noises. I actually had to stop listening at times because of it.

Compelling!

Tuscan Rose grabbed me from the very beginning and I continually found reasons to listen rather than other activities. The narrator has a beautiful voice and her accent transports you to Italy.

Wonderfully gripping story

Loved how fiction and history blended together so well, but likely would not have purchased this book had the book’s description indicated how detailed the scenes of torture victims were. I realize they were true to the times just not what I usually choose to read. I hope all Belinda Alexander books are not in this kind of gory detail.

Captivating

Loved this story. Not much is written about what happened in Italy before and during the war. The narrator was one of the best I have heard.

A well told story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Of course! I really loved it. I think it is interesting to read a book that is set in Mussolini's Italy and the characters and their relationships between them is beautifully described. I was sad when the book ended.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that it was set in Italy before and during the war. I am a history teacher, and thus very interested in history. This story told about an era that has been described in many books, but I have never read one from Mussolini's Italy.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes! More than one, but I can't reveal them because it would reveal too much of the story and parts of the ending. But this is a story set in times of war, and many of the main characters are partisans. It goes without saying that they experience both dramatic and sad moments.

Wonderfully complex and compelling

What did you love best about Tuscan Rose?

Firstly I must rave about Caroline Lee as narrator, she's amazing! Her command of Italian names and phrases wowed me with each such word spoken. She has the incredible talent of speaking with the voices of all the characters with such credibility that the narrator disappears and the characters come alive. The best narrator I have ever heard.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tuscan Rose?

The accounts of Italy under Mussolini and during WW II were chilling. I wanted to know more and did some research on my own. We have heard so little of Italy's involvement during the war. This was quite an eye opener.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene with Luciano in the tunnel moved me the most. What an incredible story.

If you could rename Tuscan Rose, what would you call it?

The title belies the breadth and depth of the book, but i like its subtlety.

Any additional comments?

This is by far the best audible experience that I have had and the best book I have every 'read'.

Brava Belinda!

Really engrossing read

This book absolutely captivated and broke my heart all at the same time. We have all learned the history of dictatorships in school but I think it's rather eye opening to put a more personal spin on how an average person may have lived under the regime of one. This book explores Italy in the time of Mussolini with strong heroine who struggles as an orphan raised in a convent, enemy of the state, unwed mother, war nurse, and freedom fighter... Her character is so well thought out and developed that you can't help to walk the journey she is on even though at times, it's devastating. The historic facts well researched all seem so plausible which I think is what makes the book so heavy. Also, it fascinates me to understand how other countries were impacted by world events such as WWII. There was some mysticism to the book as well that was not over the top and kind of cool.

My only complaints were that the narrator was reading somewhere near a train and you often heard it's horn which was distracting. I also didn't like one of the plot twists about the mother of our heroine, i just didn't think it was necessary.

Beautiful story

This is a beautifully written story of love and loss, joy and pain. It is long, but I think it was totally worth it.

Sooooo long!

I would have loved this book if it had been a few hours shorter, but it just DRAGGED. I'm glad I didn't give up on it, because there was a twist I didn't see coming at the very end, but it was so long and meandering that I couldn't blame anyone who stopped listening during the interminable Flock section.

Wonderfully written and read!

What did you love best about Tuscan Rose?

Tuscan Rose was a survivor. That is a characteristic I admire so much. She had a strong faith, and morals.

What did you like best about this story?

The personality of each character stayed believable and consistent throughout the story. I could not turn it off without feeling bereft. This was the best book I've listened to or read in a very long time. I am now downloading another of this author's books.

What about Caroline Lee’s performance did you like?

Everything. So well done!

If you could take any character from Tuscan Rose out to dinner, who would it be and why?

In my mind all the characters are rolled up into one perfect package. I cannot choose...

Any additional comments?

Wow - what a ride! Loved it.