The House at the Edge of Night

A Novel

De: Catherine Banner

Narrado por: Edoardo Ballerini

“A perfect summer read [that] brims with heart . . . Don’t be surprised if you keep turning the pages long into the night, spellbound by its magic.”—The Denver Post

A sweeping saga about four generations of a family who live and love on an enchanting island off the coast of Italy—combining the romance of Beautiful Ruins with the magical tapestry of works by Isabel Allende.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • Los Angeles Public Library • Kirkus Reviews

“Captivating . . . [Catherine] Banner’s four-generation saga is set on an island near Sicily, where myths of saints get served up with limoncello at the Esposito family’s bar. . . . The island is fictional, but consider this dreamy summer read your passport.”—People

“A lusty page-turner that weaves romance, rivalry and the intricacies of family expectations into one glorious tale.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

Castellamare is an island far enough away from the mainland to be forgotten, but not far enough to escape from the world’s troubles. At the center of the island’s life is a café draped with bougainvillea called the House at the Edge of Night, where the community gathers to gossip and talk. Amedeo Esposito, a foundling from Florence, finds his destiny on the island with his beautiful wife, Pina, whose fierce intelligence, grace, and unwavering love guide her every move. An indiscretion tests their marriage, and their children—three sons and an inquisitive daughter—grow up and struggle with both humanity’s cruelty and its capacity for love and mercy.

Spanning nearly a century, through secrets and mysteries, trials and sacrifice, this beautiful and haunting novel follows the lives of the Esposito family and the other islanders who live and love on Castellamare: a cruel count and his bewitching wife, a priest who loves scandal, a prisoner of war turned poet, an outcast girl who becomes a pillar of strength, a wounded English soldier who emerges from the sea. The people of Castellamare are transformed by two world wars and a great recession, by the threat of fascism and their deep bonds of passion and friendship, and by bitter rivalries and the power of forgiveness.

Catherine Banner has written an enthralling, character-rich novel, epic in scope but intimate in feeling. At times, the island itself seems alive, a mythical place where the earth heaves with stories—and this magical novel takes you there.

Praise for The House at the Edge of Night

“A gorgeous, sweeping story set over four generations . . . calls to mind Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and Beautiful Ruins.”—Interview

“Like pictures of a childhood summer, or a half-forgotten smell, this book is sweet and heady with nostalgia . . . [and] comforting as a quilt.”—NPR

“Rich and immersive, this book will take you away.”—Vox

“A masterful piece of storytelling, infused with the miraculous (both in stories and in everyday life) while maintaining the difficult balance between the explainable versus the inexplicable . . . captivating and beautifully rendered.”—Sara Gruen, author of At the Water’s Edge

Interesting and authentic

Very entertaining story! I was transported to the island and very invested in all of the characters stories. I highly recommend this.

Stories within beautiful stories

What a treasure to read this utterly enchanting book! The writing was beautifully descriptive, but moved forward at a surprisingly good clip. This engrossing tale spans generations and keeps a sense of mystery alive until the very last word uttered. This version on Audible also has a wonderful narrator. Lovely story, read beautifully.

Perfection

I am very stingy with my 5 star reviews, but this one was easy. I simply loved this book. The characters, the island, the house... I’m sorry it’s over. Also, this is the second audible book I’ve listened to by narrator Edoardo Ballerini-he is an amazing voice for this story.

Love! Love! Love!

Beautifully written story. I could almost feel the weather and hear the organetto and the waves crashing. Get the story. You won’t be disappointed

So good

I genuinely enjoyed listening to this book, it had me gasping in my car on several occasions. 10/10

Sorry to finish it.

I wish it could go on for many more generations. The characters have become familia.

One of the best books I've read all year!

I was absolutely captured by the magic and charm in this book. It isn't a fast paced read, so if that is important to you this may not be your book. It does, however, capture something in the soul of summer and miracles and love found and lost and found again. It follows four generations of the Esposito family on a fictional and mysterious miracle-clad island off the coast of Sicily, and the unraveling of the family members stories and their relationships with one another--for good and for bad.

The narrator did a fantastic job, I would listen to another book he narrates in a heartbeat.

Themes that arise in this story:
Betrayal, Forgiveness, Seeking Meaning and Identity, Familial Love, Redemption, Miracles, Finding your Path, and and overall spirit of the island itself. The book was total magic.

Loved this tale of Italian life

Told over several generations. Just confirmed my own love of Italy and desire to live there one day! Plus I LOVE this narrator, he’s amazing!

Captivating!

I absolutely loved this book and reading. I went back and forth between the two. I recently traveled to a small island in Italy so I was enthralled with this beautifully written and narrated book. I highly recommend it!

Beautiful story... Perfect narration

I am about a month away from my 1st trip to Italy and wanted a story that took place there... I couldn't have made a better pick.