Review: The Generosity of Strangers When War Came to Fornelli by Thomas A. Antonaccio

And after of months in idle, I had once again placed by fingers in review! Hope you read this book! Lovable character, heart-warming experience, and fantastic motivations. 

The Generosity of Strangers When War Came to Fornelli 
by Thomas A. Antonaccio
Publisher: Thomas A. Antonaccio
Publication Date: September 22, 2012
ASIN: B009FPS3FK
Format: eBook
Genre: Non-Fiction, War, Biographies
Book Description:

The Generosity of Strangers: When War Came to Fornelli is written in first person, free verse, and consists of a series of vignettes chronicling the real life experiences of a young girl and her family in war-torn Italy in the 1940s. The story is set in the town of Fornelli–a tiny hilltop community in Italy’s mountainous heart.

For Lucia and her family, life in Fornelli is anything but boring. Life is difficult, yet tranquil. But soon the war comes, and life in Fornelli is tranquil no more.

The Generosity of Strangers: When War Came to Fornelli is a true accounting from the eyes of Lucia, about faith, hope, and courage in the midst of war and its aftermath. It poetically conveys how even in desperate times people can open their hearts and rise above adversity.

RATING

Smooth, easy-going, and a light-in-the-heart novel.

REVIEW

This book, The Generosity of Strangers When War Came to Fornelli by Thomas A. Antonaccio, does away from the mainstream idea of how a war novel should be. This is different. I didn't expect this kind of presentation by the author. I thought that this is full of bombs, tanks, corpse and blood which, honestly, I hate very much. He did an unsual attack and doesn't turn out really as a war novel.

This book talks about the life of a little girl named Lucia (who turns out to be the mother of the author and the story of her in the early days) in times of war. Set in Italy, the author retells how the life of his mother's family, yes, it's a true to life story, in the greener side of it. True, that there's no such thing as "GREENER SIDE" of war but at least the author doesn't focus in the dark side. 

FORM

The kind of form that this novel has is so rare that we barely read other novels in the format (or I just haven't read so much). The form has its contribution in the development of the story because it opens a door for you  to connect with the character in the personal level. It also brings out the meaning that the author wants to tell his readers even by not telling it explicitly, word for word. The use of such form for this novel is justified. Not all writers can use a certain form with out justifying it to himself as to why he will use such. In the case of  Antonaccio, the form gives a more edge in his sword.

CHARACTER

The protagonist's name is Lucia, a little girl born in Fornelli, Italy. The way she was written and packaged was beautiful. A likeable and lovable character. Only few authors can make their characters likeable. Lucia, for me, tends to be my friend. I believe most of the people that had read this will relate to what I am saying. She is nice, friendly, and lovable. As I read the novel to it's end, the more I've been close to Lucia. I feel her fears, her desires, her craves, her need, her joy and all that she felt. A good and well written character makes your novel loved by your readers. I assume that writing of Lucia was prettily done because the author has a real basis to it, basis to how it behaves and all, looking it as if it is real.

STORY

The story is good yet I'm not satisified. At first, it doesn't give the feel of excitement to turn another page. No shocking and attention grabbing scenes. But as you go along, you will understand that the novel is not about the kind of work that you had in mind. You will to consider some things because of the nature of it. I love the story. I love how it flows. However, there are lapses that we may spot. Parts that you feel so awkward with and you will now start thinking why the author had written it that way. 

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GIVEAWAY: Finding Your Road To Success by Patrick Daniel

 Finding Your Road to Success
by Patrick Daniel
Publisher: PDCA Publishing
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-9867060-0-4
Format: eBook and Paperback
Genre: Non-Fiction, Inspirational

'Finding Your Road to Success - How to get there without getting lost' is a self-help motivational type book filled with many inspiring stories, famous quotes, great lessons, and personal experiences.

The book is interactive in the sense that it gets you thinking about your life. As you read, you find yourself analysing exactly where you are in your life, versus where you would like to be. And with each page you read, the more you will discover about who you are and what true success really means to you.

If you are looking for a book with great tips and tools on how to achieve ultimate success, then 'Finding Your Road to Success - How to get there without getting lost' is the book for you.

THE AUTHOR

Patrick Daniel is the author of 'Finding Your Road to Success - How to get there without getting lost', a self-help motivational and inspirational book aimed at shattering the notion that success is a myth.

Patrick became something close to independently wealthy by the tender age of 30. But what is even more admirable about Patrick is that he realized at a young age that true success is achieving goals that are more than monetary.

As a successful chartered accountant and owner of his own accounting company, the author's credentials are unquestionably well suited for this book.

'Finding Your Road to Success' is a must-read for anyone who needs a shot of optimism. "Life is filled with solutions, not problems" is at the core of Patrick's "glass half-full" attitude, and you'll find this attitude with every turn of the page.

JOIN Finding Your Road to Success FREE eBook GIVEAWAY!!!

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Guest Post: Saving Mary by Deidre Havrelock

Writing to me is … what I was created to do.
By Deidre Havrelock

When I look back on my life, to the first book I wrote in grade three: The Bloody Dagger, I see how I was made to be a writer. Later, in tenth grade, my English teacher pulled me aside and told me I should be a writer because I had a strong imagination—but I didn’t take anything she said seriously. So when she sent me to a writing retreat, I skipped it in order to go shopping. After my exorcism, I immediately wanted to be a writer. I became consumed with the idea. I remember thinking, This is it…this is what I’m meant to do! When I wrote my first chapter for what’s now called Saving Mary and showed it to my husband, he was concerned because it was rather dark. I’m a gothic writer, that’s just the way I roll.

Why do I like writing? I like being alone with my thoughts. I like the creativity of finding a new metaphor or description. I like how it’s difficult…so very difficult to get the words right! I like how it takes mounds of figuring in order to get a book organized. Most of all, I like to encourage people to think about things that they may not want to think about.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deidre Havrelock is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She is a member of Christians for Biblical Equality International and is currently working on a non-fiction book called, The Mother Heart of God: Biblical Evidence for the Femininity of the Holy Spirit. Find her on her website: www.deidrehavrelock.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

Saving Mary
by Deidre Havrelock
Publisher: Etcetera Press
Publication Date: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-936824-15-1
Format: eBook
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Spiritual

“God spoke to me,” she said. “He said to tell you that you remind Him of Mary … Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons.” My breath caught … . Bible studies, from then on, definitely became an ominous thing to be avoided at all costs.
Deidre’s fascinating memoir tells the story of her childhood and adolescent life: the feeling of invisible eyes watching her from the corner of her bedroom, her horrible nightmares and her desperate attempt to find God—only to end up possessed. This dark memoir brings to light an intricate world of deceitful spirits hell-bent on manipulating and damaging a young girl’s life.

Available at

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