Reviews

Family Chronicle by Vasco Pratolini, Martha King

abirdsall's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 'Family Chronicle' is short, a novella without waste. In this way, among others, it will appeal to fans of James Baldwin’s 'Giovanni’s Room'; although the love between Pratolini’s men is fraternal, not sexual or romantic, in both books does the intensity of their love shine through all the more powerfully for the novels’ brevity. 'Family Chronicle' is unflowery and unpretentious, with only the author’s apologetic admissions to interrupt the frankness of the narrative. Rarely has any book, autobiographical or otherwise, matched this one in its intimacy.

Full review in the link below: 

https://medium.com/@a-a-birdsall/review-vasco-pratolini-family-chronicle-1eb1b9a3ceb6