Pamela Allegretto

“He was a gentle boy whose sense of decency became too much for him to bear in this hellish war. I pray his compassionate soul is finally at peace.” — Karl


This wonderful read is not only a beautiful evocation of a time in history, but an exciting narrative that belies expectations for this genre. I had to think long and hard about how to adequately describe what a wonderful read Bridge of Sighs and Dreams is, and all I can say is this:

If David Dodge, Martha Albrand, and Sidney Sheldon had ever collaborated on a novel in this genre, it might read something like this. Bridge of Sighs and Dreams has the swiftly moving, natural narrative style of Dodge, and the page-turning drama of Sidney Sheldon at his zenith. More importantly, it has that Martha Albrand template of telling a huge story on a smaller canvas, giving it intimacy and vibrancy. It’s rare when a book that falls into the historical fiction category is this utterly entertaining, and alive with so much movement. This is a good thing, and much preferred over the depressing and self-important books which are dry and depressing in an effort to seem literary. This novel grabs the reader right from the harrowing opening moments in Southern Italy, 1938, where an act of brutality by Mussolini’s Blackshirts will shape Angelina’s life.


“There are times when those of us who are the least political become the most involved. War changes everything.” — Signor Biasi


The narrative which ensues is deceptively easy reading, like David Dodge’s storytelling. Like a painting by one of the old Dutch Masters, however, perhaps Vermeer, layers upon layers are meticulously added by the author until a rich and evocative portrait of Italy occupied by the Germans in WWII emerges. At around the twenty-percent mark, the reader is finding the novel to be a quick and lively read. By the halfway point, the events transpiring have become so incredibly exciting, the reader is unable to turn away. The rich and colorful picture emerging from all the applied layers is so involving we have to keep staring — or rather turning pages — until we have the entire picture. That isn’t hyperbole, it’s an honest evaluation of just how entertaining a read I think this is. If you’re the type of reader intrigued by the book description, the synopsis, but are afraid you’ll be thrown into another dreary and lackluster book feigning "literary" importance but in actuality being pretentious, don’t be. This isn’t boring, or dry, nor is it bloated or padded. It is a great story, excitingly and tenderly told.

There are two very different women at the heart of this engaging novel. One you will love, and one you will loathe. Stories of war and occupation are best told from the viewpoint of the people, and that is what this author has done. Angelina, Lidia, their husbands, Pietro and Aldo, their children and friends. The Italian Resistance in German occupied Rome. The betrayers and the betrayed. Hope and despair, and the resiliency of the human spirit shining through. Not all Germans are shown to be bad. Many, like Karl, hang fiercely to their humanity in the face of war. Nor were all Italians good. Some collaborated with German forces out of greed, like Lidia, one of the most shallow and deceitful human beings you’re likely to ever run across between the covers of a book.


“I can’t put into words the pain in my heart knowing that this and other atrocities I have witnessed have been carried out by citizens of my homeland.” — Karl


As Angelina is swept up in war, and the machinations of the sister-in-law from Hades, the reader is swept up in it along with her, seeing the brutality and retaliations by the Germans. We also see the absurdity of war, as in the pounding of Italy by the Americans. It was necessary to liberate the country, yet caused great damage and fear. If anything, this book spotlights the terrible price the citizenry pays when countries go to war — even when it is absolutely necessary. Were I to list all the events and years this novel covers, it would sound sweeping. Yet Bridge of Sighs and Dreams is told so wonderfully, with such intimacy, there are times when we feel like we’re reading an exciting Sidney Sheldon novel. Just terrific stuff here, with lives we care about in grave doubt, and some intriguing twists the deeper we get into the war.

A tremendously exciting second half to an already involving story, in conjunction with an ending that satisfies in every way possible, make this an outstanding read. If there is a caveat, it might be the obliviousness to Lidia’s manipulations by everyone surrounding her — until it’s too late for some. This tends to make the first portion feel a bit more soapy than it should. But with each layer the author adds to the small canvas on which she’s chosen to tell this sweeping story, it gets better and better. At one point, the reader just wants to crawl into the pages and throttle Lidia. And likewise, they’ll be on the edge of their reading chair anxious for Angelina. The reader aches for everything to turn out alright, even in the darkest moments. Whether it does or not, I cannot say.

If you’re like me, and lament that so much historical fiction is dry, boring, and often pretentious, then read Bridge of Sighs and Dreams. It is fabulous stuff. My highest recommendation.… (mais)