Set in Mussolini’s Italy amid great upheaval, this is the story of one woman’s determination to find her place in a world that men are threatening to tear apart. Another heart-rending novel inspired by a true story from Australia’s bestselling author of The Girl from Munich.
Calabria, Italy, 1936.
In a remote farming village nestled in the mountains that descend into the sparkling Ionian Sea, young and spirited Giulia Tallariti longs for something more. While she loves her home and her lively family, she would much rather follow in her nonna’s footsteps and pursue her dream of becoming a healer.
But as Mussolini’s focus shifts to the war in Europe, civil unrest looms. Whispers of war are at every corner and her beloved village, once safe from the fascist agenda of the North, is now in very real danger.
Caught between her desire to forge her own path and her duty to her family, Giulia must draw on the passion in her heart and the strength of her conviction.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
A story that had me feeling like I was right there in Italy, feeling the characters pain of loss of loved ones, devastation of their country and their joy in survival. Giulia’s courage to become not just a healer but to follow her path and not be ‘just a wife and mother’, to be equal with her husband, had me feeling proud for her. A wonderful story. Cherelyn, WA, 5 Stars
Echoes of War is beautifully written. You really are taken back to 1930s-1940s Italy. The story is heartbreaking yet somehow so full of hope despite all the horrors. I have enjoyed reading Tania Blanchard’s books before this but this book made me a true fan. Meg, SA, 5 Stars
Echoes of War is a beautifully written, poignant, historical novel set in Italy between the years 1936 – 1945. From the first page I was captivated by the strong cast of characters, particularly the women and immediately transported to the beautiful Calabrian countryside which played such an integral part in the lives of the villagers. The headstrong, independent Giulia was the perfect character to weave the story around. As the story progressed her character grew in strength and wisdom. Giulia’s ongoing conflict with her father gave a real insight into the structure of both family and rural society. Giulia’s determination to pursue her dream to become a healer, following in her Nonna’s footsteps is central to the storyline and left me feeling empowered. The themes of the role of men and women, arranged marriage versus falling in love, importance of the church and southern versus northern Italy were well explored. The descriptions of the war were both educational and graphic enough that the tension was palpable, particularly in the scene where the German soldiers looted the village. In conclusion the act of war left me with a sense of futility. A wonderful read thank you Better Reading and Simon and Schuster. Sarah, WA, 5 Stars
The narrative draws you in from the beginning with a humble family life and a girl who wants more. There was no way to put down the gripping turns of tale as Giulia makes her own way. There are so many struggles between Giulia and her father, between her wanting to do what is right for her country, for her passion and with the war on her doorstep. This novel is unbelievably hard to put down once you stop, the characters could all be in your own family. The writing is easy yet descriptive and pulls you along on an emotional ride. Tina, QLD, 5 Stars
Echoes of War by Tania Blanchard is a gripping story set in a remote farming Italian village in the Second World War. A determined young Giulia Tallariti is desperate to leave the village life her father says she is destined for so she can follow her dream of becoming a healer. With a heart of gold and a steely determination, Giulia is a beautiful character I fell in love with. From the mesmerising Italian landscape, to the horrors of war, while fictional, the story is very real like and obviously well-researched by the author. She touches on the power and importance of a deep bond of families. With romance, desperation, heartache and hope, Echoes of War is a beautifully written novel. Christine, QLD, 5 Stars
Echoes of War, set in Calabria, Italy in the years proceeding and throughout WW2, takes the title as one of my favourite historical fiction reads to date. I loved how the book is based on some of the experiences of Tania Blanchard’s own family members, delivering a read that is rich with authenticity, from the characters, to the landscape, to the delicious meals enjoyed around the table and the unfolding uncertainty of war. A story told through the eyes of Giulia who is fiery, ambitious, loyal and selfless. She is a woman ahead of her time, challenging tradition and social norms in the pursuit to reach her full potential in a terrifying time for Italian civilians. Echoes of War highlights the harsh price of war: the sacrifice, grief and sheer struggle for basic survival, yet it also beautifully illustrates the courage and resilience shown towards others in order to get through the horrors of war. Christine, VIC, 5 Stars
A page turner from the very first sentence. Seriously a beautiful book and a must read this year. In a time of change, imminent war and women seeking to make their own choices for their future. One 16 year girl is going to be heard. Through love, devotion and duty, Giulia draws on her passion and strength to achieve her hearts desires. Kerrie, NSW, 5 Stars
Echoes of War by Tania Blanchard, I loved it so much completed reading it in two days, it just had me interested from beginning to end. The story was amazing and held my attention the whole way through the author really made every word contribute to this compelling story about a young adolescent girl, Giulia’s journey to womanhood and living life on her own terms. I do love historical fiction especially when the story and characters brings the historical events to life. I found all the characters and story line to be authentic and relatable. Every character in this book has a purpose, and adds to the story, and there were many strong female characters in this book. It is a story of many strong, resilient, persistent, loving and even flawed characters. I found it to be a very inspiring story, and very enjoyable read. Fran, VIC, 5 Stars
Tania Blanchard is a brilliant historical fiction writer. Echoes of War is written with such depth that I could imagine the scenarios. Based on Giulia and the healing work she does with her Nonna, I found it very fascinating, and the dilemma the Italians found themselves in during WW2 taught me a lot about this time. Overall I found this book well researched and easy to read. A must for all historical fiction lovers. Trudy, SA, 5 Stars
From the first page of Echoes of War by Tania Blanchard, I was hooked. A different take on WW2, from a young free spirited woman, who’s wanting to pursue her dream, and not just stay at home until she gets married. The war gets in her way, but in the end she finds love, and her destiny. Bridget, VIC, 5 Stars
In Giulia’s words this book is “my journey from the naïve young girl, a daughter of Calabria, to the woman of Italy I had become” It is a story that has been told many times, Giulia, wants to be a healer, like her grandmother and help her community versus the expectations of her father that she will be a dutiful daughter, marry and raise a family. This leads to conflict between Giulia and her father. Adding another layer of complexity, to this story is Mussolini’s desire to make a new Roman Empire and then his alliance with Nazi Germany. These historical events affect the daily lives of the family and their village. Decisions are made not only based on what’s best for the family, but also surviving in uncertain and dangerous times. This story was well written and for me an enjoyable read. I liked the strong, female characters and learning about rural life in Calabria. Pam, ACT, 5 Stars
When a book moves me to tears, it was worth the read. Giulia’s journey as a healer, a daughter, a sister, a mother and a wife is explored through the pre and post years of WW2. The struggles are real and beautifully described drawing the reader into the hidden side of war. The strength of the women in this family saga shines through and the meaning of family tugs at the heartstrings. A mixture of old customs colliding with strong, young women seeking to be independent creates such a memorable story that I highly recommend this novel. Shelley, NSW, 5 Stars
Being a huge fan of historical fiction, I was very excited to read this book and I just LOVED it!! Echoes of War was written beautifully and made me cry during the tragic moments. It was written with such depth that it had me imagining the scenarios with a vividness that pulled at my heartstrings. What spectacular writing!! I also found the healing aspects of the work that Giulia does with her Nonna to help the sick and injured fascinating! What a wonderful read. Something I also enjoyed about this book was the perspective of the storyline and how much it taught me. Many books I’ve read about the Second World War have mostly been about the cities under occupation and their experiences with the Nazis but this was set in Italy and I really liked reading about their perspective. I didn’t realise until now the dilemma the Italians found themselves in during that time so it was eye opening to learn about it. Overall this strong, gorgeous book is well researched and beautifully written. It’s an absolute must read for all historical fiction lovers!! Chryssie, QLD, 5 Stars
A very interesting perspective of the way that war shaped individuals who were not directly fighting and demonstrating the depth of impact that this had on not only soldiers but also their loved ones back at home. I feel that the way which the family dynamics are portrayed through this novel really emphasised the impact that family have on our own perspectives. But also, the impact that they have on our own choices and control over ourselves. Well worth the time to pick up and read. David, TAS, 5 Stars
It’s a beautiful story and although set during the war, its focus is on the bonds between a family, especially the women. You really get to know the characters as well as your own family. It didn’t go in the direction I thought it would and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s an easy read over a few days, the research is flawless. Penny, NSW, 5 Stars
When you have a young southern Italian woman in the midst of devastating WWII you get courage, determination, grief, love and passion. Set in Calabria during WWII a headstrong young woman named Giulia is inspired by her Nonna who is the town healer. Determined to follow in her footsteps, she rebels against her father’s threats and pursues her passion. Through war-torn Italy, political upheaval, family struggles and devastating natural disasters, Giulia finds her chosen path and realises that pursuing her dream, with the help of her supporting family, leads to strength, a passion for healing and survival. Tania Blanchard’s Echoes of War was magnificent. Each page was steeped in Italian tradition and culture. Coming from southern Italian heritage myself, this was an emotional story for me, as it also touched on my own family history and I sincerely thank Tania Blanchard for writing such a beautiful novel. Julie, VIC, 5 Stars
In a time, 1936 Calabria, in a tiny village, Bruzzano, and a world dominated by the man of the house, is Giulia, a determined woman to stand up for her rights and what she wants to do with her life. She is one of 5, 3 boys and two girls but also 2 boy cousins. One daughter who wants to marry and the other determined to run the family farm. Giulia wants to be a healer like her Nonna, and to travel the world, but her father refuses, calling it black magic. But with the help of her mother, Nonna and aunt she is allowed to go to the monastery to learn more. With this passion she gets to follow her path but the upcoming war can destroy all that. With the help of her cousin, whom she has fallen in love with and married, together follow their paths and into the war. I felt for Giulia as she had to fight for her rights and finally won over her Papa by standing her ground. Lots of tears but also so much joy. A really great read set in times of war. Sue, NSW, 5 Stars
A beautifully written, heart-warming read. Tania blended a story of family, love, loss and desire, with strong female characters that are an inspiration even in this day and age. Alexandra, TAS, 5 Stars
“Captivating and heart-warming historical fiction”. The story is set in Calabria, Southern Italy with Giulia as a main character. Giulia, a woman with ambition and doesn’t want to just end up marrying a man and having children. She wants to be a healer following her nonna’s step. She learned a lot of herbal knowledge when she was sent into a monastery to live with nuns for a month. Giulia’s father who’s a conventional family man, pushed her to marry a man of his choice, Massimo. Will Giulia be able to achieve her dream to be a healer and also being in love with her husband? Her life turned upside down after the earthquake and tidal wave hit her village, and here is when her strength continues to shine through. The story also covers a few characters of Giulia’s family; her two sisters- Paola and Teresa, her brother – Vincenzio and her auntie – Zia Francesca. This story was inspired by author’s grandfather who fought in Italian war and WWII. It’s another well-researched book from Tania which covers Mussolini’s Fascist regime, World War II , and the conflict between North and South Italy. A recommended historical fiction with heart-warming close tight family drama who went through happiness, sadness and survival for a better future. Vivi, NSW, 5 Stars
I was hooked on Echoes of War right from the first few pages and couldn’t put it down. What a great book, the storyline is about growing up, maturing, following your inner voice and finding your place in a male dominated world. The novel is set in WW2 Italy with the restraints of what society and family expects making for an emotional rollercoaster. Echoes of War is full of emotion and heart which I highly recommend to anyone who’s looking for a great read from an awesome author. Simone, WA, 5 Stars
Tania Blanchard has written another wonderful family fiction in Echoes of War. Starting in 1936 Calabria we follow the life of sixteen-year-old Giulia and her family as they eke out an existence on their farm in Bruzzano. Giulia is strong minded girl looking to find her own path in life but her father has very traditional views. Along with this family friction comes the rule of Mussolini and his fascist government. Eventually the war comes to Calabria and we learn of the hardships suffered by the Italians especially in the far south. Once war starts the setting moves through to Sicily, Naples and Rome. I really appreciated that Tania used the Italian names of the towns and not the anglicised versions. The novel gives us an insight into village life in southern Italy and the dynamics of family life and traditional expectations. It was especially heartening to see the strength shown by the women and how with some cunning they could achieve their desires. A fabulous read. Anyone looking for a feminist, domestic, historical novel will love this book. I highly recommend it. Thanks to Better Reading for my copy. Annette, ACT, 5 Stars
Such a wonderful book and a way to look at such an important historical event through a different lens. The Italian perspective is not often as well told and I loved how the story of Giulia worked against the backdrop of something bigger. Her ability to heal at such a time was heart warming and the imagery of the Staley telling was so good. I have not read one of the authors books before and would definitely do so after this. Thanks for the read – I love to learn as well as read great fiction books with strong heroines – fits the bill perfectly! Emma, VIC, 4 Stars
Echoes of War by Tania Blanchard is a wonderfully written story of an amazing, strong, courageous woman Giulia Tallariti. Set in Calabria, Italy in 1936 where Giulia lives on the family farm with her Mama, Papa, sister and two brothers. The story takes us from when Giulia is a young lady through to becoming a woman. Giulia’s heart is set on becoming a Healer like her Grandmother but her Papa has other plans for her. He wants her settled down and to start a family of her own like her sister Teresa which he feels will settle Giulia and make her forget about her dreams of becoming a healer. World War II is looming and poverty is setting in around Italy. We are taken through what Italy had to suffer under Mussolini’s rein. When Giulia’s brother and Papa are called up to go to war the women of the family have to keep the family farm going in order to survive. This is a story of heartbreak, heroism and strong will. The aftermath of World War II and how it tore apart the people of Italy with it’s many losses. It was refreshing to read about World War II in Italy. We have had many war stories set in Europe and France but not from Italy. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it especially if you enjoy reading historical fiction. Danna, NSW, 4 Stars
Reading the history books means you have a general understanding of the World Wars. Reading Echoes of War takes you into the life of people who lived it. The heart ache, the fear and misguided hope. The strength of the human spirit to prevail during times of confusion and sadness is told through the story of Giulia and her family. A young woman ahead of her time who desires only to determine her own fate, leans into to the challenge with strength and fearlessness. Tess, TAS, 4 Stars
Echoes of War is another lovely novel by Tania Blanchard. What a rich family history she has to draw on! This book is a delight to read, as it draws on WW2 experiences from an Italian perspective, quite a unique view when there are so many novels written in France or Germany. Blanchard is able to draw her readers into the story through her vibrant characters and you can’t help but feel for each experience. This book definitely provided a learning curve for how the war panned out in Italy, but also dealt with issues from the Home Front and universal themes of family and hardship in a very sensitive manner. Another success for Blanchard! Angie, NSW, 4 Stars
This year I’ve read quite a few books based around WW2 with all of them from a different view point. Which I feel makes all of them so much more interesting. Echoes Of War is based around the events in Italy leading up to, during and after the war. It was really interesting learning about life in Calabria, women in the family and workforce at the time, expectations and the impact of loss from the conflict. War brought death, poverty, uncertainty and stress to so many communities and this was explored beautifully in this book. I enjoyed the ‘Ndrangheta aspect throughout and it sent me on the old google rabbit hole learning more about that and the Mafia’s journey into Australia. It was sad reading about so much loss and devastation for this fictional family but it was lovely seeing the family pull together, learn new skills and support each other. Especially with a lot of the men off at war, the women really had to step up to keep life moving even if it meant risking punishment from the government by utilising the black market to buy and sell food. I learnt a lot and found the Italian history so interesting, the fascism, Il Duce & Hitler, the ally swap and then civil war! Reading this had me feeling so immersed in Italian culture, thinking about breads, olives, ricotta with honey and all the wines. Samantha, NSW, 4 Stars
Blanchard has done it again. I have not been disappointed by any of her books yet. I absolutely enjoyed this book, and she has captured everything brilliantly and brought to life on the pages. It had my attention from the first page. Highly recommend this book to read. Annette, NSW, 4 Stars
The characters in the book were well written and believable. Very strong female characters gave the book great strength. The male characters were strongly written also. I could see the father’s strength and beliefs that he was doing what he thought was right. Interactions between family members occasionally bought tears to my eyes. The setting and story line was very strongly written. Easy to read even though some of the content was horrific and evoked sadness in me the reader. It took me a while to read as I wasn’t keen to read the second half of the book about the war years. However once I began to read I became engrossed in the characters lives. Tonie, NSW, 4 Stars
Echoes of War by Tania Blanchard is a World War 2 novel set in southern Italy. The central character is Giulia, a young girl from a traditional farming background who is challenged to find her place in the world amidst the conflict. While the conflict provides context for challenging the male leaders of her country and the choices they made that impacted on her and her loved ones, Giulia is also challenged to redefine her relationship to male authority figures within her own family. The novel celebrates the quiet strength of the women in her family and gently promotes the female voice as a strong and effective force for good. Roxanne, NSW, 4 Stars
Being a huge historical fiction fan, I was so excited to have this arrive on my door step thanks to Better Reading! This was a wonderful read for me, I had never previously read anything from an Italian point of view and found the story heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. I thoroughly enjoyed reading from the perspective of such a strong female lead in Giulia, who refused to fit into societies norms and chased after her dreams of being a healer. The story was written beautifully and had me in tears throughout. The hardships and ramifications of war are perfectly illustrated for poor Giulia and her family. Thank you, a wonderful read. Rebecca, NSW, 4 Stars
Inspired by her own family’s history, Tania Blanchard creates a beautiful story of family, love, friendship, loss, and healing set in WWII Italy. Echoes of War follows Giulia and her family through the highs and lows of life, from just before the war starts and through to life after the war. A captivating book not too heavy on war, based heavily on family, brings out strong female characters, but skims over the loss and deaths of characters. Amanda, VIC, 4 Stars
Tania Blanchard has written a heart gripping novel in Echoes of War. Portraying the horror and devastation of war and a family trying to survive. Tania has created an inspiring character in Giulia and her journey through love, loss, dreams and family. An intriguing perspective of women and what they encountered during the war and in that era. This is the first book that I have read of Tania’s so I am looking forward to reading her other novels now! Christine, WA, 4 Stars
This was a really great, detailed read, set mostly during World War 2. I’ve read a few books set during this war, but never one set in Italy, told from the Italian’s perspective and the dilemmas they faced when deciding who’s side to fight on. The author is very descriptive without over doing it and has also done a fantastic job with her research and weaving her own family history into the story. She describes really well, the devastation of not knowing if your loved ones were safe whilst fighting in the war. There is a lot of loss and heartache, plus the struggle of mostly the women left behind to run the family farm, household and raise their children. Another thing that was interesting and frustrating was the way women were controlled by mostly their fathers, getting told who to marry and not being allowed to have a career. This book is full of strong women that do everything the hard , traditional way and some that refuse to be controlled and ruled by the “old ways”. I liked reading about the old tradition of plants being used to heal and also the preparation of the wonderful Italian breads, cheeses and salami. The author’s notes at the back of the book are worth reading as it tells how she came up with the idea of the story based on her grandfather’s experience in the war. Overall, I liked learning about this part of history while reading a great story. Tracy, WA, 4 Stars
I enjoyed reading Tania Blanchard’s novel, Echoes of War. It was a change for me to read a wartime novel that wasn’t set in Europe or Britain. This novel gave real insights into war-ravaged Italy during the fascist dictatorship of Mussolini, the conflict between North and South Italy and WW2 raging through Europe. The story is set in southern Italy from 1936 through to 1953. We are taken on Giulia’s journey and struggles to decide her own future in a very traditional and patriarchal society. She wants to be a village healer and follow in the footsteps of her Nonna. The reader becomes involved with family and village life throughout the good times, as well as the tragedies, hardships and the desperate fight for basic survival. This novel has given me insights into Italy’s involvement in WW2. The author’s family ties to Southern Italy and her research make it a heartwarming and authentic historical novel. We experience family love, the incredible strength of the women and children left to cope and survive with very little, and the horrific injuries inflicted on the soldiers. This was their fight for a better future. Kerrie, NSW, 4 Stars
I usually read crime/mysteries but was glad to be given the opportunity to be reading this book (advance copy). The characters were described beautifully and the daily life of people in Calabria during the war was very interesting. A heartwarming story but, a couple of times, I found Giulia very trying eg. the time Stefano decides she would be better off at home instead of Livorno. She did not think of the consequences only about the promise to make decisions together. She sounded like a spoiled brat instead of looking at the bigger picture. I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated as the story of the local problems and achievements tied in gracefully with the war efforts in the rest of Italy. Also the background information regarding the Ndrangheta (local mafia) was very interesting, as I never heard of this organisation before. Sandra, NSW, 4 Stars
Tania Blanchard’s Echoes of War celebrates strong female relationships within an era and setting of generally male dominance. I loved all the female characters and thoroughly enjoyed her descriptions of Calabresi village life. Set during WWII, there is of course lots of references and explanations of what was going on throughout Europe during this period. Whilst essential to the story I did find the explanations too long at times and whilst this detracted from my overall enjoyment of her book her knowledge of events at this time appears to have been meticulously researched. Steph, NSW, 4 Stars
It took me a while to get into this book. It’s not something I would usually read. I am so glad that I stuck with it I ended up really enjoying it. Christine, QLD, 3 Stars
With not being a huge fan of war stories, I wasn’t sure what I would get with Echoes of War. However as I begin to turn the pages, I was pleasantly surprised to unfold the heartfelt tales of Giulia Tallariti, a young energetic, strong willed Italian girl, who wishes nothing more to follow in her nonna’s footsteps to become a healer, and her beloved but traditional family. Set in a farming village in Calabria – Italy, the story begins in 1936 and takes us through the lives of Giulia, Vincenzo, Teresa, Paola and Antonio, their parents, family and close friends with the horrors of WWII unfolding in the background. With a strong passion for wanting to live her own life and make her own choices, but also an undeniably and extreme family loyalty – Giulia is put onto the pathways of following her heart or her upholding her duty. An emotional but effortless read, Echoes of War draws you into the brutality and loss of war whilst leading you down a trail of strength, hope and love. Another fabulous read from Tania Blanchard who manages to spin the heartbreak of wartimes with forgiveness and the power of mankind’s belief in faith and the greater good. A book that takes you through the highs and lows of life but also shows the strength of human spirit. One which can be enjoyed by lovers of many genres. Suzie, WA, 3 Stars
This intriguing book tells the story of Giulia, a strong-willed, modern women living in a small country town that is not quite so progressive. I really liked how the story unfolded against the backdrop of the the second world war, especially as it was told from the viewpoint of the Italians during that time. The book was clearly very well researched, and the details around Giulia’s healing journey and the ancient traditions really drew me in. Would be perfect for fans of historical fiction, and those that are interested in Italian history. Overall was a great book, really engaging and I would recommend it! Brooke, NSW, 3 Stars
This novel was a little slow to start and the treatment of women among their family, e.g. arranged marriages, was immensely frustrating, however the spirit and strength of the women shone through. The war aspect was horrifying but well written. Overall I enjoyed this book. Karlie, SA, 3 Stars
Beginning in 1936, this book tells the story of a young woman, Giulia, brought up in a farming family in Calabria, Italy. She wants to break away from traditional expectations of early (arranged) marriage and become a healer, in times when natural herbs and ancient remedies were the best on offer. Her father thinks otherwise. Family members and world events conspire to dramatically shape Giulia’s life direction. Love, duty, loyalty, tragedy and fulfilment all become part of her unfolding story. The book is based loosely around the author’s own family stories, and through it she pays homage to her ancestral past. The Calabrian context is affectionately described, especially the closeness of family ties. The terrible effects of war on ordinary people – who have no choice about whether they will be involved – is vividly captured. The actions and explanations in this novel are largely presented through Giulia’s thoughts and conversations with others. At times these conversations do not sound natural. To me, the characters appeared too worldly wise and modern-day in their sensibilities. I also felt that Giulia was rather self-centred! Nevertheless, I found the book interesting and learnt a lot about the dreadful situations faced by the Italian people during World War 2. Susan, VIC, 3 Stars
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