Beneath a Scarlet Sky
Ratings87
Average rating4.3
2.5 rounded up.
A work of fiction based on fact. An incredible story, truly remarkable, so remarkable that I don't know what is truth and what is fiction, and while I can believe a lot of what happened in this book did actually take place, I find it almost impossible to believe that all of it could have happened to one person (Pino) in the space of two years. I know the author does address some of this at the start of the book but still, just so much fantastical stuff....
Skiing down mountain with a heavily pregnant woman tied to his back after almost being buried alive by an avalanche was a particular highlight for me. And that's just for starters.
Despite all that, I found it strangely compelling and Pino is a likeable guy but ultimately the whole thing is let down by some pretty poor writing. A google of Pino Lella is quite revealing.
Take with a HUGE pinch of salt.
.
One sentence synopsis... An Italian teenager finds himself become the personal driver for one of the Third Reich's most powerful commanders - while spying for the Allies in Milan.
Read it if you like... really wild semi-true stories (the book is a fictionalized account of a true and truly crazy life story of Pino Lella) at the expense of good writing. Would have been better as a non-fiction but from the rumblings of book twitter there's some controversy over how much is fictionalized (think ‘A Million Little Pieces').
Dream casting... Tom Holland was cast as the lead in the adaptation of this book that never happened... perhaps due to the controversy...
Love these books based on historic events that tell the amazing personal story of an unsung hero and their unique perspective on WWII - especially given how little we are told about Italy in WWII.
AMAZING TALE OF BRAVERY!!!
This book is nothing short of amazing and the way Mark tells Pino's story makes you feel like you are there. It is one hell of an amazing tale of bravery, love, and hope.
I got this book about 3 years ago from a goodreads giveaway but I just couldn't get into it. I just wasn't ready for such a sad topic. I've read other books on this topic or on the slavery of African Americans and it always leaves me with a heavy heart for long time afterwards. I looked at it often, thanks to the bright cover, but always decided on something else. It is so much easier to reach for something fictional and easier on the heart. I'm not sure what made me decide to read it now but I'm glad I finally read it. Reading a story of someone with such strong faith was what I needed during this time of chaos in our world today.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book because it focused more on hope, faith and successful attempts to help Jews escape to Switzerland via the mountains. I especially liked reading about Father Re and his home for boys and his words of wisdom. The second half of the book is where it started to get darker. I think the author did a good job of making this more about the story of Pino and the other people around him without dwelling too much of the horrible acts of the Germans. I think we have all heard enough of those stories. It is just too much sadness for my heart, or any heart for that matter.
There is a lot going on in this story though and young Pino managed to fall in love even though he was surrounded by madness of the war. So much happened to this young man and as a mother of two sons I wished I could help him and make it better somehow.
I'm glad I finally read this book and I'm very grateful to the author for such a wonderful gift. #giveawaywinner
This was a fantastic book. Based on a true story, set in WWII Italy. Tells the story of a young man who does incredibly brave things. Definitely includes some sadness and heaviness, but it's an amazing book. Well-written and engaging. I really didn't know a lot about Italy during the war, so I learned a ton too.
Quite a powerful and incredible true story. (Well mostly true, I believe Sullivan used his creative writing skills to interpolate and fill in some gaps.)
Pino Lella's experiences during WW2 were extraordinary. First smuggling people out of Italy and then spying on a top German general required great courage and a lot of luck. Some of the things he observed and experienced were soul crushing. And he was very very lucky to survive.
All in all a damn good book.
4+ stars.
What an amazing, heartbreaking story. I could not imagine going through what the people in this story did. The chaos, the despair, love, heartbreak, terror and cruelty of war. Beautifully written. I was in tears more than once.
Another book on WW II? Oh dear. I was frustrated my book club chose Scarlet Sky for our May read. I couldn't stand the character of Pino in the first couple of chapters. And, good grief, it looks like it was self-published. This didn't bode well for me.
But a member of the club said she loved the story, so I forced myself to read on. And, wow, I gradually, over time, came to love Pino for his passion for life, for his courage, for his actions during the war.
Pino is based on the story of a real person who lived in Italy during the Nazi rule there. He was there during some of the country's darkest days. He showed amazing character to try things to help others and to risk death every day.
Loved this
At first I was worried I would not like this. It grew on me. I cried on the plane while I was reading. It was magnificent.
Wonderful Story
The story to be told about Pino is amazing. As others have said the writing seemed a bit amateurish. I will say it did keep me engaged. All and all a solid read I would recommend.
This was the most captivating novel I have read in ages. The story of Pino Lella is a coming of age story amid the worst of circumstances; the second World War. It is based on a true story of a young Italian boy with tremendous courage, tenacity and heart. I was often on the edge of my seat while reading it; unable to believe the horrendous things that Pino witnessed, the bravery he showed and his ability to continue doing the “right thing” through it all. I have been recommending this book to anyone who will listen. It's a “must read”.
Only life writes stories like these...
I rarely give 5-star ratings. This story deserves one. It's a gem. For Polish readers out there - it should be out in June 2018, so consider giving it a try.
And here's a passage that still resonates in me:
“After several moments of quiet, Pino said, “You know, my young friend, I will be ninety years old next year, and life is still a constant surprise to me. We never know what will happen next, what we will see, and what important person will come into our life, or what important person we will lose. Life is change, constant change, and unless we are lucky enough to find comedy in it, change is nearly always a drama, if not a tragedy. But after everything, and even when the skies turn scarlet and threatening, I still believe that if we are lucky enough to be alive, we must give thanks for the miracle of every moment of every day, no matter how flawed...””
The life that Peno lived, was truly amazing. I'll admit that it did take me a bit to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked. This is a good read for anybody interested in History, World War, Romance and Thrillers.