Author: Kate Furnivall
ISBN: 9781471155567
RRP: $29.99
Kate Furnivall has written a number of books set in exotic locations, and I had read none of them. The Liberation is my first of her works and I will admit that the page count was enough to have me hesitate before picking it up, and then it was selected as a book club title so the hesitation had to end.
Italy in 1945 is a place of devastation, British and American troops are still in place to help restore order and the locals are fighting to survive. The only money is in the pockets of the troops, and the paid off local law enforcement. The streets are in ruins and many people are selling off what they can just to eat.
Catarina Lombardi is a young woman with determination and a will to survive; she is out one day selling handcrafted wooden boxes when she crosses paths with a number or different people that will completely change the direction of her future, and the way she thinks about her past.
The Lombardis live in the small town of Sorrento where they are renowned master craftsmen working with wood. Catarina inherited her love of woodworking from both her father and grandfather, and her skills are certainly up there with theirs. It was interesting that when Catarina took boxes out to sell she passed them off as work by her father or her brother, even though she had made them herself, because she wouldn’t be able to get the same prices for her work.
The Liberation is evocative, it is dark, it is suspenseful and it certainly kept me reading long after I should have been sleeping – and when I had two kids (that aren’t mine) hounding me to play with them instead of reading. The page count was high but I was so entranced that I still got through it in 3 days.
Action is non-stop and you are never quite sure what’s going to happen next, or who the bad guys really are. The police make a living from pay-offs, the mafia are a force to be reckoned with and their territory is even avoided by the police, the troops are viewed with suspicion if not open hostility and they are only trying to help get Italy back on its feet but having to do it with little support from the locals.
Italy has such a long history and is home to countless priceless artifacts from paintings and sculptures to religious icons and antique furniture, many of which have disappeared during the war and in its aftermath. A taskforce has been put together to track down missing relics and bring them back to the Italian people, but the casualties mount up and there are more questions than answers.
Catarina is forced into a position where she is left questioning everything, and in danger at every turn; not sure who to trust or how to keep her family safe. Instead of spending days in her workshop creating items to sell she is facing danger from all directions in her quest to clear her father’s name.
The intrigue and deceit of this story is woven so seamlessly that it really is difficult to untangle and work out where the biggest threats come from. Asking questions can be a dangerous business, regardless of which side of the law you are on. The war is over and Italy is rebuilding but the explosions and the death aren’t finished yet.
The resilience of the Italian people is commendable in the face of adversity, and though the troops are there to help the people still see them as intruders and aren’t willing to answer their questions. Not necessarily a bad thing when talking to the troops is likely to get you killed.
The Liberation will entrance and enthrall while it keeps you guessing and trying to get to the bottom of all the mysteries hidden within its pages.
Thanks Kate Furnivall and Simon & Schuster for a fabulous book.
Kate Furnivall can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.
The Liberation is published by Simon & Schuster and is available now from Angus & Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster 30 of our Beauty and Lace club members will be reading The Liberation so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
From the moment you start your first chapter you will be transported to a captivating story that I promise you will not be able to put down. This novel certainly has many twists and turns to keep you entranced with the storyline.
The scene of the story is set in Italy in the year of 1945. The country is in turmoil and British and American troops are trying to bring order back into the country.
The character of Caterina is someone you will like immediately and following her actions throughout the novel will have you on the edge of your seat so much so in that you will find yourself wanting to turn those pages quickly. Adrenaline runs through your body as you read too. I read this book in two days.
Caterina’s dad who she has a wonderful relationship with has been accused of treason and there is a plot against her whole family and Caterina’s own life is in jeopardy.
There are other characters in the book that you will dislike and question their motives and of course the characters that you will love immensely.
This novel of 553 pages is an absolute powerful, thrilling storyline. There are no slow spots amongst the storyline either. Any reader would not be disappointed in reading this novel.
I’ve never been to Italy but have seen lots of travel shows and just with Kate’s descriptions of places and roads, I could visualise the areas quiet well.
Simon & Schuster have marked this book with a ‘Guaranteed Five Star Read’ so if you are not completely satisfied with one of their books that you buy you simply return with your original receipt for a refund. I cannot see that happening for this book because you are certainly guaranteed of having a fantastic book to read from start to finish.
Thank you to Beauty & Lace and Simon & Schuster for again allowing me to read and review another book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I have not heard of this author Kate Furnivall but I will certainly be looking out for her books now.
Thank you, Mandy.
A gripping novel set in 1945 among the post war ruins of Naples and Sorrento, Italy. It is a story which has multiple layers combining secrets, Italian family honour, revenge and a love story.
The Liberation has a really well developed storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat. There was tension and drama that built throughout the book and at times I just couldn’t put it down. I’d say just one more chapter then another and another …….. It is a long book over 500 pages but riveting!
Catarina Lombardi, the main character is thrust into the role of protecting and keeping her family; brother Luca and grandfather Nonno Giuseppe, out of danger while she attempts to find evidence to clear her dead father’s name. Her father Antonio was a well respected wood inlay craftsman a skill Catarina has inherited and one that has helped keep her family in food during and post the war. Her father who has died in a bombing during the war is accused of being involved in stealing Italian artefacts and restoring them for sale on the black market but Catarina can’t believe it. The British and American intelligence officers Captain Henry Fielding and Major Jake Parr who are investigating the theft of art works believe Antonio was involved as part of a larger group and are undertaking an investigation that involves a web of Italian families.
Catarina’s hunt for the truth to clear her father’s name brings her and her family into danger. She eventually joins forces with Major Jake Parr to uncover what the truth is.
The lies, the treachery and the plot against her family are so intricately crafted throughout the book you are never sure who is to be trusted.
The description of post war Italy is obviously very well researched and it is hard not to feel for the Italians who have lost so much during the war and who continued to struggle post war. The poverty and the loss of property and family members weighs heavily throughout the book.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review a book that I really enjoyed. I had not read any of Kate Furnivall’s work prior to ‘The Liberation’ but will definitely be adding her books to my 2017 book list.
Thank you, Karyn.
Firstly thankyou Beautyandlace and Kate Furnivall for the opportunity to review and read ‘The Liberation’. The book begins in Sorrento in 1934 where we meet Caterina Lombardi a 10 year old. She is part of a rescue pary searching for her Nonno (grandfather) who they find injured and becoming permanently blind. Her mother Lucia leaves Caterina’s father at the same time for a family friend, Robert Cavaleri causing bad blood between the families, Caterina has most of the responsibility of looking after her brother Luca, a baby when their mother leaves. Antonio a master wood craftsman teaches Caterina this trade.
The story moves to 1945 post war and we find Caterina in Naples selling beautifully crafted music boxes. Her father has been killed two years previously. She comes into contact with sreet kids (scugnizza) and through an altercation meets Major Jake Parr, an American soldier helping to restore Italy to pre war conditions. Poverty and starvation are rife and the people have nothing.. Jake is on the track of stolen artifacts, and Caterina becomes heavily involved with this search and finds herself, Nonno and her brother Luca in danger from a group of ruthless men.
Caterina is courageous and fearless, a gifted craftswoman and a character I admired.
The story is engrossing, unpredictable, well written and very exciting. So difficult to put down as I really just had to know the outcome!
Thank you, Gilli.
With great eagerness I congratulate @simon&Schuster and @beauty&lace for supplying this magnificent book for review, Kate Furnivall’s ‘The Liberation’.
I am pumping with enthusiasm as the prospect of writing this review. There are not enough superlatives to describes the power of this book. I adored it. When you awaken in the middle of the night, forced to continue your journey of intrigue and mystery, well that just sums up how enraptured this book had me. A powerful read, enticing your senses, reaching your psyche and embedding into your soul.
An outstanding book that pulls you into its pages with such depth; the author describing scenery, emotions, intricate characters with such detail and interest, describing towns and landmarks so you feel one with the book. And what appears on the surface is not as it seems once you delve further into the chapters.
We are introduced to 21 year old Caterina Lombardi, a fine artisan of wood, skills taught to her by her father and grandfather. The year is 1945 and Italy has just been liberated by the Allies. The country in turmoil, the inhabitants starving and struggling to stay alive, let alone get ahead. We are drawn into the mystery of Caterina’s father who died 2 years earlier in a supposed bomb blast hitting his work site. So begins the unveiling of the story of a mysterious masterpiece of a table, inlaid with precious jewels that he was commissioned to make around the time of his death. Caterina’s family is thrust into death threats, violence and unleashing the truth, with the aid of taciturn American Army Major Jake Parr. Wariness eventually leads to trust as these two delve into deceit, Italian mafia, underground tunnels, family honour, violence and death. And of course there is the vein of potential romance weaving throughout the book.
I will not delve too deeply into the story line and spoil it for the readers. My advice, read it. You won’t want to put it down. Kate Furnivall is masterful.
It was almost like military meets everyday strugglers with a Di Vinci code twist.
With Armando Lucas Correa’s ‘The German Girl’ and Kate Furnivall’s ‘The Liberation’, Hollywood would have two superior blockbusters on their hands.
Thank you, Rachel.
This is the first Kate Furnivall book I have read and I am sure it will not be the last as I thoroughly enjoyed it and like her style of writing.
The story is set in the Naples area of Italy in 1945 after liberation by the Americans and British from the Germans. The allies are now trying to restore order to the devastated country. There is a lot of illegal smuggling and trade of Italian artefacts on the black market and they are trying to find out who is involved and to prevent these artefacts being lost to Italy.
Caterina Lombardi’s father Roberto was killed when a bomb destroyed his workshop – he was a master craftsman who skillfully worked with veneers, producing beautiful wood inlay work with intricate designs. She learnt the trade from her father and now continued with his work to keep her family from starving.
American Major Jake Parr and British Captain Harry Fielding were Intelligent Officers investigating such illegal smuggling and trade and they informed Caterina that they suspected her late father of being somehow involved in this. Caterina could not believe this of her father and set out to find the truth, which led to her grandfather, brother and herself being in danger.
This was a very riveting story, full of mystery, suspense and lots of twists and turns. I found it very difficult to put it down until I had finished it – which was actually after 2am.
I would like to thank Simon & Schuster as well as Beauty and Lace for giving me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.
Thank you, Gwenda.
I;ve read a number of Kate Furnivall books an thoroughly enjoyed them.
Thank you, Marg.
The Liberation by Kate Furnivall is a beautifully depicted and compelling story set in post war Naples. The Nazis and Fascists, the Allies and the Partisans had all fought over Italy, leaving its beautiful cities in ruins, its art treasures ransacked and its people battered and emotionally bruised. It is a time of turmoil and hardship, when people were not only struggling to survive but also to make sense of what lay ahead.
Against this backdrop we meet the heroine of this story, the feisty but immediately like-able, Caterina Lombardi. Caterina is a talented woodcarver, a craft she learnt from her late and beloved father. And she now sells her beautifully carved wooden pieces to care for her younger brother, and her blind Nonna (grandfather).
Caterina is a strong and forthright character who is determined to safeguard what is left of her family. So when two army officers question her about her father’s involvement in a blackmarket trade of stolen art and antiquities, and his loyalty to Italy, her hackles are raised! She is determined to clear her father’s name.
In her bid to get to the truth, Caterina soon uncovers family secrets, intrigues and acts of betrayal but she also learns about love and loyalty. All this whilst unwittingly putting her own life as well as her brother Luca and her Nonna all in danger!
This is a gripping story and you are kept on your toes wondering what is going to happen next, and with all the double dealing and deceit going on, who will turn out to be the real villains of the story!! I thoroughly recommend it.
Thank you, Lyn.
Thank you for selecting me to read The Liberation
I started reading this book and was unable to put down
Caterina is the main character and readers will fall in love with this young woman
She lives with her grandfather and little brother they are both great characters also
Her father was a master craftsman creating and mending timber / wood Catarina carried on in her fathers footsteps
She has her doubts in regards to her late fathers honesty
I am not saying anymore as I don’t want to spoil this for other readers but trust me this is a wonderful story
This book has drama mystery suspense
Thanks
Thank you, Deborah.
Thankyou to Beauty and lace and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read “The Liberation” by Kate Furnivall.
Often I choose a book by its cover and I love this cover!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it opened my eyes to an aspect of war I hadn’t previously considered.
The book is set in Italy in 1945, the war has ended and the British and American troops are trying to help bring order.
Caterina Lombardi is the daughter of Antonio Lombardi, a skilled wood inlay craftsman. He has taught Caterina his craft. Antonio was killed in a bomb blast in his work shop 2 years earlier.
During the war a large amount of Italy’s historical items, furniture and treasures went missing presumed sold on the black market.
The allies are investigating the whereabouts of the missing treasures, hoping to restore them to the churches and museums. During this investigation Caterina’s father’s name has surfaced in the investigation , she can not believe her father would be involved and sets about finding the truth.
It is a story of war, courage, family, honour, revenge, loss, love and rebuilding. It is a gripping action packed read.
I thoroughly recommend the book. I now plan to read other books written by Kate Furnivall.
Thank you, Anne.
Thank you BeautandLace and Simon & Schuster for this trial chance.
The Liberation is an engrossing novel which kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. The storyline was interesting from the very first page and I felt like I was travelling on a journey as I flipped through the pages.
There are a lot of emotions in this novel, love, hope, sadness, struggle. The characters are multi dimensional and have their good points which make them likeable and inspiring, Caterina is a young woman who is struggling in many ways and to further add more drama, we have the backdrop of the aftermath of war, and the despair and devastation that exists.
The book is a long book to read, and the storyline was thoroughly enjoyable and I kept turning the pages as I continued on the captivating reading journey. I found the whole aftermath of war and the rebuilding and the struggle to return to normalcy inspiring and compelling.
Well done Kate Furnivall on writing such an interesting and intriguing book based on a very unique topic with many finely interwoven details.
Thank you, Sarah.