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jaclyn_sixminutesforme's review against another edition
4.0
This collection is technically a novel told through a series of chronological short stories, and a truly unique piece of writing. The stories are wonderful explorations of the migrant experience, specifically Italian migrants in the USA and Australia.
I understand that they are loosely based on true stories of residents living in San Ginese, a Tuscan village, and they are utterly enchanting. There is a whimsy to their telling, though they touch on the hardships of village life, including farming and war-time life. The characters Giovannoni brings to life include the young, the elderly, the newlyweds, the farmers – the depth of experiences he captures in this collection allow a really engaging exploration of the migrant experience particularly. The narrative itself woven through the collection also speaks to the importance of stories within our cultural and personal identities, and it is one of the most engaging collections on a migrant experience that I have read yet. It was also shortlisted for the 2018 Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction (which is how I came to find out about it!).
I understand that they are loosely based on true stories of residents living in San Ginese, a Tuscan village, and they are utterly enchanting. There is a whimsy to their telling, though they touch on the hardships of village life, including farming and war-time life. The characters Giovannoni brings to life include the young, the elderly, the newlyweds, the farmers – the depth of experiences he captures in this collection allow a really engaging exploration of the migrant experience particularly. The narrative itself woven through the collection also speaks to the importance of stories within our cultural and personal identities, and it is one of the most engaging collections on a migrant experience that I have read yet. It was also shortlisted for the 2018 Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction (which is how I came to find out about it!).
carlytenille's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Though this reads like fiction, the stories are mostly true, if not a little embellished.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
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