Book Review: Beneath a Scarlet Sky
Beneath a Scarlet Sky
This remarkable story takes place in Milan, Italy, from June 1943 – May 1945. It is based on the true life events of Pino Lenna, a normal Italian teenager who is focused on girls, food, and music. But he wants nothing to do with the war. Pino meets the woman of his dreams, Anna just before Nazi bombs fall on Milan. He cannot get her out of his mind. As a result of the war, he is sent north to Casa Alpina, where under the direction of Father Re he leads Jews over the Alps into neutral Switzerland as they try to escape the Nazis.
When Pino visits his parents, just before he turns 18, his father convinces him to join the German Army. If he does not join, he certainly will be drafted and sent to the front where his future is most likely short-lived. He reluctantly joins the Nazis and by happenstance, becomes the driver and translator for General Leyers, a Nazi general with close ties to Hitler. However, Pino becomes a traitor, relaying information to the Italian resistance.
And he does finally reconnect with his beautiful Anna. Nonetheless, in the end, we see him broken by the horrors of war.
The author, Mark Sullivan, did a fantastic job researching for this book. As a result, the book gives us amazing insight into the closing months of the war in Italy. We feel the atrocities as they happen. It is a strong and fascinating story that I recommend everyone read.
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
About the Author:
https://marksullivanbooks.com/
https://www.bookreporter.com/authors/mark-sullivan/news/talk-050317
Discussion Questions:
https://www.litlovers.com/reading-guides/fiction/10985-beneath-scarlet-sky-sullivan?start=3
Published Reviews:
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-5039-4337-7
https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/beneath-a-scarlet-sky
- Another book you may enjoy is The Taster, by V. S. Alexander.