Eternal

By: Lisa Scottoline

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Edoardo Ballerini, Lisa Scottoline

Length: 19 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

Number one best-selling author Lisa Scottoline offers a sweeping and shattering epic of historical fiction fueled by shocking true events, the tale of a love triangle that unfolds in the heart of Rome...in the creeping shadow of fascism.

What war destroys, only love can heal.

Elisabetta, Marco, and Sandro grow up as the best of friends despite their differences. Elisabetta is a feisty beauty who dreams of becoming a novelist; Marco the brash and athletic son in a family of professional cyclists; and Sandro a Jewish mathematics prodigy, kind-hearted and thoughtful, the son of a lawyer and a doctor. Their friendship blossoms to love, with both Sandro and Marco hoping to win Elisabetta's heart. But in the autumn of 1937, all of that begins to change as Mussolini asserts his power, aligning Italy's Fascists with Hitler's Nazis and altering the very laws that govern Rome. In time, everything that the three hold dear - their families, their homes, and their connection to one another - is tested in ways they never could have imagined.

As anti-Semitism takes legal root and World War II erupts, the threesome realizes that Mussolini was only the beginning. The Nazis invade Rome, and with their occupation come new atrocities against the city's Jews, culminating in a final, horrific betrayal. Against this backdrop, the intertwined fates of Elisabetta, Marco, Sandro, and their families will be decided, in a heartbreaking story of both the best and the worst that the world has to offer.

Unfolding over decades, Eternal is a tale of loyalty and loss, family and food, love and war - all set in one of the world's most beautiful cities at its darkest moment. This moving novel will be forever etched in the hearts and minds of listeners.

©2021 Lisa Scottoline (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"An accomplished historical novel that is both steeped in period detail and full of relatable characters.... Scottoline is a master at ramping up the suspense." (Washington Post)

"Eternal is remarkable historical fiction that brings to life Rome in the years leading up to and during WWII on the shoulders of unforgettable characters caught up on all sides of terrible events spinning beyond their control. Scottoline’s research is impeccable, her storytelling is propulsive, and the emotional times she describes are deep, moving, and yes, eternal." (Mark Sullivan, best-selling author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky)

"The master storyteller Lisa Scottoline is at the height of her powers with Eternal. This magnificent epic is the story of  three childhood friends who come of age during World War II Italy. You are with them in the worst of times as they navigate their lost dreams. You will root for their survival as they find redemption in a post-war world they must build with hope. Love. Faith. Friendship. Courage. It's all here and it is essential reading." (Adriana Trigiani, best-selling author of Lucia, Lucia and The Shoemaker's Wife)

Heartfelt Historic Fiction. A wonderful story !

This novel is fast paced and complex. The three main characters endure the War in Italy. We feel deeply for the characters and all the people in the story. I could not wait to hear what was going to happen next. The novel gave me so much hope for our shared humanity. Everyone makes a difference and Love Is Eternal. Enjoy.

Lisa you have out done yourself

I always love Lisa Scottoline novels and read them several times over.
This book though, the history, the characters, all of it truly got me in the feels. I felt at the start this wasn’t the same in some way ( can’t name it) as her other books. I was so right, this story is so touching and I found myself having to pull the car over or just stop what I was doing a couple times to compose my emotions.
Bravo to my favorite author!!!

Great book but what’s with the fake accents??

I loved the story and I picked the book because I love both of these narrators. I almost had to stop listening because I just couldn’t wrap my head around the game Italian accents. There was no need to narrate the book this way. We all know the characters were Italian. I didn’t stop listening because the story was so powerful but at points it really was a struggle.

Clara Benigno

CALLING ALL ITALIAN-AMERICAN READERS! BRAVA LISA SCOTTOLINE!! This book is a masterpiece. A must read! This historical fictional novel tells about an unknown, untold time in history that needed to be told. An amazing love story that will live forever. A story of 3 friends and their totally different families bond together by an ETERNAL love. You will be transported back to Italy: longing for the country, the food, freedom & innocence, fairness & justice, and sadness & joy. An instant favorite! I loved it ! Thanks!!!

Family First - this is a masterpiece!

Family First Is my family motto. It is prominent in this book. I have read all of Lisa Scottoline’s books. This is her masterpiece. It is an amazing historical fiction which everyone should read. The research, talent, and love that went into this book is priceless. Scottoline’s language and the voice of the book are stunning.
I was not familiar at all with the Italian holocaust although I’ve read numerous books on the Jewish Holocaust, both fiction and nonfiction. Brava, Lisa Scottoline!
Eduardo Ballerini and Cassandra Campbell were fantastic! I know Ballerini is bilingual but I kept researching Campbell to see if she was (I never found out) Well done.

Wonderful historical fiction

I've read many of Lisa Scottoline's books but enjoyed this novel of historical fiction the best. The education I received about Rome on WWII was fascinating. She wove the stories of families in Rome during this time around the events leading up to the war and made me care about each one. Highly recommend!

Transports you to Italy during the tragic years of WW2

I love historical fiction and this was as great as any I’ve read! The audio was beautifully rendered. The voices will stay with you long after you’ve finished.I loved it so much that I bought the hardcover once I was halfway through the audio. Brava, Miss Scottoline! I eagerly await your next endeavor.

Wonderful Historical Fiction

Very different than the many other her books I’ve read/listened to but I loved. I love the mix of family, love and struggle. Certainly managed pull a few tears from me.

Disappointing indeed

So very disappointed in this book. I feel Ms Scottoline could have done so much with this "historical novel", instead we are left with a plot that jumps around way to much and leaves us with way to many cliques that give me déjà vu.... (that I’ve experienced this scene previously in another book.) It made me feel as if I was reading a book made up of excerpts/clips from other novels. This novel should have been spread over several books, allowing for better depth and detail throughout.
The narration was excellent throughout and was quite commendable.
Again, I was extremely disappointed and only listened to most of the book, to see if it got any better. It didn’t.

One of the best stories of WWII era books I’ve ever read.

Very well researched and well written. The twists and turns and unexpected events unfold before your eyes as if you are really there, living the nightmare that was WWII. You’re smiling one minute and crying the next. Great book. Joined my all-time favorite books. (I would imagine a movie being made on this one.)

Banal

I had high hopes for this as I am a fan of historical fiction and it had good reviews. But the story line, albeit set in Mussolini's Italy starting just before WwII, was trite and predictable and naive. Read like an afternoon special with Italian accents.

An Amazing Story

I only stumbled upon this because l recognized a good narrator It was wonderful I was so engaged with the characters and storyline the ending broke my heart I loved everything about it I'm devastated l finished it Brilliant