lrmsreads 's review for:

A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell

4.0

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I have read a lot of WWII historical fiction, but not until A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell have I read one focused on Italy during WWII. And, I learned so much. 1. I didn't realize that Italy essentially waved the white flag long before the war was really over and then suffered the consequences of both the Allies and Nazi Germany trying to take control. 2. I didn't know that Jewish and Catholic faiths were so intermixed in Italian culture prior to the war that so many Jews were able to find protection in Italy. This story is character and storyline heavy, the title is in reference to a tapestry and that is exactly what this story is. I really enjoyed it, but I also found it difficult to keep track of everything at times. I think it would probably take about five readings to soak it all in. It had some really beautiful moments that I will treasure with regards to humanity and what happens when we choose love and understanding and that is this stories thread of grace.