What do you think?
Rate this book
The Good Italian
Enzo Secchi, harbourmaster for Massawa, Eritrea's main port, is a loyal Italian colonial servant. He takes pride in running the docks, enjoys the occasional drink with his gregarious friend Salvatore, colonel of the local Italian garrison, and listens to Caruso in his spare time. But he is lonely and when Salvatore suggests he find an Eritrean housekeeper to cook, clean - and maybe share his bed - Enzo takes the plunge and advertises. Salvatore's own tastes run to the young and nubile, but Enzo surprises himself by choosing Aatifa, a sharp-tongued woman in her 30s with a complicated family life, who takes the job as a last resort. What neither of them had counted on was falling in love. But it is 1935, Fascism is on the rise, and Mussolini does not intend Eritrea to remain a backwater for long. Italian forces bent on invading Ethiopia begin arriving at the port. And with them come new laws - including one forbidding 'Relationships of a Conjugal Nature' with Eritrean women . . . Meanwhile, Salvatore finds himself at the head of the invasion force bound for Ethiopia. Gone are the glory days of garrison life; it is a bitter campaign, laying bare all the brutality of Italian colonial ambition. Its consequences for Salvatore, and for Enzo and Aatifa as they contrive to hide their relationship in plain sight, will change all three lives for ever.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2014
7 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Burke
11 books8 followersBorn and raised in Dublin, Stephen Burke's first novel, The Good Italian was shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award and the Historical Writers Association Debut Fiction award. A screenwriter and director, his first feature film was Happy Ever Afters, starring Golden Globe winner Sally Hawkins. A father of three children, he lives and works between Ireland and Italy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 11, 2018
It's a good historical fiction yarn that started off as a screenplay. Enzo Secchi is a loyal colonial servant working as the harbour master at Massawa, Eritrea. He sees Italy as having done a good thing in colonising Eritrea. He is also lonely and is talked into hiring a housekeeper. That leads to the love story. The historical bits cover Italy's invasion of Ethiopia, how the Italian government attitudes towards their colonies moves from benevolence to almost apartheid, then into WWII.
September 13, 2014
By far the majority of my reading is done on the Kindle these days. Choosing which book to read next (from a growing pile of actual books...) I'd actually forgotten the power of a good cover - I knew I'd like this book before I even thought about opening it. The other thing that attracted me was the unusual setting - could you point to Eritrea on a map (no, me neither)? Let reading my reviews become a learning experience (with thanks to Wikipedia!). It's actually in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Sudan to the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast. In 1936, Eritrea became a province of Italian East Africa (along with Ethiopia), and by 1941, Eritrea had about 760,000 inhabitants, including 70,000 Italians.
Geography lesson over, let me tell you about this lovely book. It's 1935, and Enzo is the harbourmaster at Massawa, Eritrea's main port. He doesn't have such a bad life really - he can generally get his work done in a couple of hours a day, have a few drinks on his way home, where he then listens to his Caruso collection. To let his hair down a little, he meets up with his friend Salvatore - colonel of the local garrison - who suggests he advertises for a housekeeper to make his life complete. The local judge has a housekeeper, Salvatore has one too - it's the accepted cover for relations with local women. Enzo being Enzo (I so loved him...) things don't go entirely smoothly - he ends up with Aatifa, and to start with she is a bit more than he can handle. But in time - and it's quite beautifully done - they fall in love.
Then Mussolini decides that Eritria will be the jumping off point for the invasion of Ethiopia, and Enzo's harbour begins to get busy. First there are troops - then there is more deadly cargo. Worst of all for Enzo, the Italians pass a law banning relationships with Eritrean women. And poor larger-than-life Salvatore heads for the war in Ethiopia, his hedonistic life at an end.
Stephen Burke is a film maker, and it's evident on every page that he originally intended this story for the big screen. With obvious comparisons with Captain Corelli's Mandolin, it would have made a wonderful film - but it also makes a pretty good book. It's a quite beautiful love story, an equally excellent story of the ugliness and horror of war, with some vividly drawn characters who you grow to really love and care for. The writing is beautiful - many lovely touches of humour, other moments of heart-breaking sadness. You'll love Enzo and grow to love Aatifa - and the hard drinking, hard partying Salvatore is quite magnificent. If this lovely book has slipped past your radar, do try it - I thought it was quite wonderful.
The Good Italian by Stephen Burke was published by Hodder and Stoughton in May 2014, and is available in hardback and for Kindle. The paperback will be released in January 2015.
Geography lesson over, let me tell you about this lovely book. It's 1935, and Enzo is the harbourmaster at Massawa, Eritrea's main port. He doesn't have such a bad life really - he can generally get his work done in a couple of hours a day, have a few drinks on his way home, where he then listens to his Caruso collection. To let his hair down a little, he meets up with his friend Salvatore - colonel of the local garrison - who suggests he advertises for a housekeeper to make his life complete. The local judge has a housekeeper, Salvatore has one too - it's the accepted cover for relations with local women. Enzo being Enzo (I so loved him...) things don't go entirely smoothly - he ends up with Aatifa, and to start with she is a bit more than he can handle. But in time - and it's quite beautifully done - they fall in love.
Then Mussolini decides that Eritria will be the jumping off point for the invasion of Ethiopia, and Enzo's harbour begins to get busy. First there are troops - then there is more deadly cargo. Worst of all for Enzo, the Italians pass a law banning relationships with Eritrean women. And poor larger-than-life Salvatore heads for the war in Ethiopia, his hedonistic life at an end.
Stephen Burke is a film maker, and it's evident on every page that he originally intended this story for the big screen. With obvious comparisons with Captain Corelli's Mandolin, it would have made a wonderful film - but it also makes a pretty good book. It's a quite beautiful love story, an equally excellent story of the ugliness and horror of war, with some vividly drawn characters who you grow to really love and care for. The writing is beautiful - many lovely touches of humour, other moments of heart-breaking sadness. You'll love Enzo and grow to love Aatifa - and the hard drinking, hard partying Salvatore is quite magnificent. If this lovely book has slipped past your radar, do try it - I thought it was quite wonderful.
The Good Italian by Stephen Burke was published by Hodder and Stoughton in May 2014, and is available in hardback and for Kindle. The paperback will be released in January 2015.
June 14, 2014
Historical fiction poses a problem: which is more important – the history, or the fiction? In The Good Italian, Steven Burke never quite seems to make up his mind. Despite that, the book succeeds as an enjoyable story.
The Good Italian is set in the 1930s and 40s in Eritrea, an outpost of Mussolini’s Italian Empire. Enzo Secchi is a hassled and lonely colonial servant, running the Red Sea port of Massawa. He is surviving rather than thriving, thanks to his innate sense of duty and the comforting presence of his best friend Salvatore, a dashing officer, in the capital Asmara 80 miles up into the Eritrean hills. On Salvatore’s advice he employs a local woman, Aaatifa, as a cook and live-in lover. Enzo falls in love with this mysterious and beautiful woman leading to inevitable complications.
Readers will enjoy the rest of this love story that sweeps across the Horn of Africa for one of two reasons. First, the plot is well constructed. Burke is a script-writer by background and the story (which started as a film idea) sometimes reads like an over-explained script, but the basic storylines are good and maintain momentum. Second, the background history of Italy’s involvement in Eritrea and Ethiopia before and during the Second World War has been well-researched.
But somehow these two strands – history and fiction – never quite meld together. Characters sometimes become ciphers for historical types (a moustachioed British officer who appears towards the end of the book is described as “looking more like an actor from a theatrical comedy than a soldier”); at other times it feels as if episodes from history have been forced into the plot. These are difficult problems for any historical novelist – but in this book I felt that an overwhelming desire to get the history across to the reader left the characters two-dimensional.
The fascinating historical background may persuade you to set aside these concerns but I never felt I was swept up in the story in the way I wanted to be.
I will, however, be looking out for Steven Burke’s next book.
The Good Italian is set in the 1930s and 40s in Eritrea, an outpost of Mussolini’s Italian Empire. Enzo Secchi is a hassled and lonely colonial servant, running the Red Sea port of Massawa. He is surviving rather than thriving, thanks to his innate sense of duty and the comforting presence of his best friend Salvatore, a dashing officer, in the capital Asmara 80 miles up into the Eritrean hills. On Salvatore’s advice he employs a local woman, Aaatifa, as a cook and live-in lover. Enzo falls in love with this mysterious and beautiful woman leading to inevitable complications.
Readers will enjoy the rest of this love story that sweeps across the Horn of Africa for one of two reasons. First, the plot is well constructed. Burke is a script-writer by background and the story (which started as a film idea) sometimes reads like an over-explained script, but the basic storylines are good and maintain momentum. Second, the background history of Italy’s involvement in Eritrea and Ethiopia before and during the Second World War has been well-researched.
But somehow these two strands – history and fiction – never quite meld together. Characters sometimes become ciphers for historical types (a moustachioed British officer who appears towards the end of the book is described as “looking more like an actor from a theatrical comedy than a soldier”); at other times it feels as if episodes from history have been forced into the plot. These are difficult problems for any historical novelist – but in this book I felt that an overwhelming desire to get the history across to the reader left the characters two-dimensional.
The fascinating historical background may persuade you to set aside these concerns but I never felt I was swept up in the story in the way I wanted to be.
I will, however, be looking out for Steven Burke’s next book.
October 17, 2014
Great Book with one provision.....it started as a screen play and at times that it apparent.
Hadn't read any of his stuff before but enjoyed this. Good strong central characters, one of whom is a bit mysterious. Strong love story and wonderful, interesting history incorporated. It's an era (1935-1940) that I have never studied and know nothing about. Italian Colonialisation of Ethiopia but mainly set in Eritrea.
Got me doing a bit of searching on the net to check out the facts.
Straightforward but intelligent read and absorbing love story! Give it a go!
Hadn't read any of his stuff before but enjoyed this. Good strong central characters, one of whom is a bit mysterious. Strong love story and wonderful, interesting history incorporated. It's an era (1935-1940) that I have never studied and know nothing about. Italian Colonialisation of Ethiopia but mainly set in Eritrea.
Got me doing a bit of searching on the net to check out the facts.
Straightforward but intelligent read and absorbing love story! Give it a go!
July 18, 2017
From the start I couldn't get past the fact that he expects Aatifa to sleep with him because she was his housekeeper. Poor and in desperate need of a job this is not a great start for a relationship, and I can't imagine that a woman would have written this love story. Even though she seems to forgive him, which I find hard to believe, especially when you hear her previous history later on. I was intrigued with the history and geography of the book but couldn't get past my original disbelief.
October 19, 2014
A love story which stands the test of time and war. Really enjoyed the setting of 1935 Eritrea. I knew nothing about the history of Eritrea and now know a little more.
September 10, 2017
Seamlessly written, with a thread of suspense running through it, this is a novel that you want to read in one sitting. Enzo Secchi is an ordinary man who won't allow the bluster, bigotry and cruelty of his times to totally overwhelm common human decency. His Eritrean housekeeper, Aatifa, is also beautifully and strongly portrayed. A plot with lots of surprises, based on a tragic historical period.
July 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Romance and love aren’t generally my favorite genres but the historical aspect of this book really appealed to me. There is little to no fiction set in Eritrea, and even less that involves the Italian colonial period. The way the author tied all of that together was really good and created a story that kept me saying “ok one more chapter.”
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
January 19, 2019
I Rate this 4.0
This is my rating that is more detailed...
5.0 - Amazing
4.5 - I loved it
4.0 - I liked it a lot
3.5 - I Liked it
3.0 - It was OK
2.5 - Just
2.0 - I wouldn't bother
1.5 - I didn't like it much
1.0 - I disliked it
This is my rating that is more detailed...
5.0 - Amazing
4.5 - I loved it
4.0 - I liked it a lot
3.5 - I Liked it
3.0 - It was OK
2.5 - Just
2.0 - I wouldn't bother
1.5 - I didn't like it much
1.0 - I disliked it
July 11, 2018
Enjoyed this book, knew nothing of the Italian occupation of Eritrea or the savage "COLONISATION" of Ethiopia. Well written, enjoyable story line. Probably 3.5 stars, I enjoyed it
March 19, 2017
I wholeheartedly loved this. Enzo is a believable hero you can hope for. Beautiful story of human life set in a corner of history.
June 21, 2015
I've been trying intermittently to read some of the other books shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award, particularly the Historical category. The Good Italian, one such novel, was a real treat and a great read.
Its basic storyline is about the "good Italian", Enzo Secchi, who in the 1930s is the supervisor of the port of Massawa in Eritrea, an Italian colony. Urged on by his longtime friend Salvatore, he engages an Eritrean "housekeeper", Aatifa. Relations between Italians and Eritrean women are common and the title is an acceptable euphemism. But unlike the girlfriends of Salvatore and the local judge, Aatifa is not amenable to being anyone's property - she has her own tragic backstory which is skilfully revealed piecemeal by the author.
Enzo and Aatifa negotiate a cautious mutual sympathy with all the hazards attending a relationship between coloniser and colonised. Proud and self-possessed, Aatifa (a wonderfully realised character, full of will and spark) is closed and resistant to Enzo's initial clumsy and frankly rather unpleasant overtures and annoyed with his unquestioning allegiance to authority back in Rome - an allegiance that is undermined more and more as the regime grows more repressive, the military campaign against Ethiopia gets nasty and Enzo finds himself beginning to fall for this woman.
Very occasionally the omniscient narration veers close to the danger of making all thoughts too accessible, but this is rescued by the irony undercutting the title. Enzo in some ways is not a good Italian at all. When put under pressure, he eventually signs the order to allow poison gas to be taken from the port, which will be given to the troops to use against the Ethiopians. He also has an unattractive tendency to seek approval from his superiors, particularly the toady Bobbio from the Ministry, which is in marked contrast to Aatifa's fiercely proud and independent nature. Part of the story is about making Enzo worthy of the title.
Burke's research shows in his vividly realised scenes - the battle scenes in particular were disturbing - and description of the environment around Enzo. I could see and feel the places in my mind's eye. And the story carries on with great momentum. If I had one quibble it could be to round out Enzo a little more, though I know the point is that he is Everyman, with all his foibles and failings. But - I bought it yesterday and finished it today and that's not true of a lot of the fiction I've read over the past while.
Eritrea is a place I know little about (though I have a friend who has been there with the UN) and this book makes me want to know more. I recommend this as a read for everyone who enjoys a good story with compelling characters.
Its basic storyline is about the "good Italian", Enzo Secchi, who in the 1930s is the supervisor of the port of Massawa in Eritrea, an Italian colony. Urged on by his longtime friend Salvatore, he engages an Eritrean "housekeeper", Aatifa. Relations between Italians and Eritrean women are common and the title is an acceptable euphemism. But unlike the girlfriends of Salvatore and the local judge, Aatifa is not amenable to being anyone's property - she has her own tragic backstory which is skilfully revealed piecemeal by the author.
Enzo and Aatifa negotiate a cautious mutual sympathy with all the hazards attending a relationship between coloniser and colonised. Proud and self-possessed, Aatifa (a wonderfully realised character, full of will and spark) is closed and resistant to Enzo's initial clumsy and frankly rather unpleasant overtures and annoyed with his unquestioning allegiance to authority back in Rome - an allegiance that is undermined more and more as the regime grows more repressive, the military campaign against Ethiopia gets nasty and Enzo finds himself beginning to fall for this woman.
Very occasionally the omniscient narration veers close to the danger of making all thoughts too accessible, but this is rescued by the irony undercutting the title. Enzo in some ways is not a good Italian at all. When put under pressure, he eventually signs the order to allow poison gas to be taken from the port, which will be given to the troops to use against the Ethiopians. He also has an unattractive tendency to seek approval from his superiors, particularly the toady Bobbio from the Ministry, which is in marked contrast to Aatifa's fiercely proud and independent nature. Part of the story is about making Enzo worthy of the title.
Burke's research shows in his vividly realised scenes - the battle scenes in particular were disturbing - and description of the environment around Enzo. I could see and feel the places in my mind's eye. And the story carries on with great momentum. If I had one quibble it could be to round out Enzo a little more, though I know the point is that he is Everyman, with all his foibles and failings. But - I bought it yesterday and finished it today and that's not true of a lot of the fiction I've read over the past while.
Eritrea is a place I know little about (though I have a friend who has been there with the UN) and this book makes me want to know more. I recommend this as a read for everyone who enjoys a good story with compelling characters.
June 2, 2014
I received this as part of Good Reads First Reads
This is the story of Enzo - he is Italian and is the harbourmaster in Massawa, Eritrea
He gets the job after splitting from his fiancee. But once there he feels lonely and is coersed into getting some-one in to cook and clean for him. He employs Aatifa, a woman in her 30's but something happens they had not planned - they fall in love
Unfortunately it is 1935 and Mussolini is hell bent on ruling and with Eritrea in his sights he takes over and imposes new rules - including one that does not allow Italian men to be with women of the area saying it demeans them
Enzo and Aatifa have to keep their lives and love a secret whilst war rages but they get found out and Enzo is arrested and put in jail pending his court trial where he finds the judge has all sorrtts of evidence against him - bookings froma hotel, a dress he bought her.
During the trial his lawyer advises him to say he pays Aatifa to kep house and as part of the deal he sleeps with her.
Aatifa is also called to give evidence and although she agrees that this is the truth the story also comes out that her father sold her virginity to a man when she was 12 for a bottle of whicky. She also had a baby which because of her young age caused damge meaning she couldn't have any more children. She was also promised in marriage to another man who then didn't want her because he found out she wasn't a virgin.
She is called a prostitute by the judge and Enzo tried to defend her which does more harm than good - he tries to tell the truth and he gets given 5 years in jail
All because he loves a woman
This is the story of how any one call fall in love - even when they aren't looking for it - and how racism can affect peoples lives
A well written book - one I would read again and recommend
This is the story of Enzo - he is Italian and is the harbourmaster in Massawa, Eritrea
He gets the job after splitting from his fiancee. But once there he feels lonely and is coersed into getting some-one in to cook and clean for him. He employs Aatifa, a woman in her 30's but something happens they had not planned - they fall in love
Unfortunately it is 1935 and Mussolini is hell bent on ruling and with Eritrea in his sights he takes over and imposes new rules - including one that does not allow Italian men to be with women of the area saying it demeans them
Enzo and Aatifa have to keep their lives and love a secret whilst war rages but they get found out and Enzo is arrested and put in jail pending his court trial where he finds the judge has all sorrtts of evidence against him - bookings froma hotel, a dress he bought her.
During the trial his lawyer advises him to say he pays Aatifa to kep house and as part of the deal he sleeps with her.
Aatifa is also called to give evidence and although she agrees that this is the truth the story also comes out that her father sold her virginity to a man when she was 12 for a bottle of whicky. She also had a baby which because of her young age caused damge meaning she couldn't have any more children. She was also promised in marriage to another man who then didn't want her because he found out she wasn't a virgin.
She is called a prostitute by the judge and Enzo tried to defend her which does more harm than good - he tries to tell the truth and he gets given 5 years in jail
All because he loves a woman
This is the story of how any one call fall in love - even when they aren't looking for it - and how racism can affect peoples lives
A well written book - one I would read again and recommend
March 15, 2015
3.5 stars This was a slow build for me. The author takes his time, which frustrated me as I am an impatient reader, but in the end I was glad I read it. Since I'm interested in historical fiction, I was intrigued by the setting of Eritrea in Africa in the mid-1930s. It was an Italian outpost where the main character Enzo is the harbormaster of the port of Massawa on the Red Sea. Enzo is a likeable everyman, nothing special. I like that because it drives home the point that a megalomaniac like Mussolini, in control at the time, disrupts and destroys lives in service of his devastating power-grabs.
Enzo has a friend named Salvatore, a colonel in the Italian Army, who suggests the lonely man find a native woman housekeeper. Aatifa becomes that woman, and more, as their lives blend. She is a sympathetic character. War looms and does what it always does to innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Apparently, this story began as a screenplay. As much as I like the idea of it, that shows in the writing. I can see this exotic location as presenting good visuals for a film, but the language in the book doesn't quite live up to expectations. Page 177, Salvatore enters saying, "Hi, Aatifa,". Call me picky if you will, but would an Italian in that time and place say "Hi?"
Though I wasn't quite transported through and by the words, and didn't find the book especially deep or challenging, I did think it created the impression of a particular moment in time.
Enzo has a friend named Salvatore, a colonel in the Italian Army, who suggests the lonely man find a native woman housekeeper. Aatifa becomes that woman, and more, as their lives blend. She is a sympathetic character. War looms and does what it always does to innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Apparently, this story began as a screenplay. As much as I like the idea of it, that shows in the writing. I can see this exotic location as presenting good visuals for a film, but the language in the book doesn't quite live up to expectations. Page 177, Salvatore enters saying, "Hi, Aatifa,". Call me picky if you will, but would an Italian in that time and place say "Hi?"
Though I wasn't quite transported through and by the words, and didn't find the book especially deep or challenging, I did think it created the impression of a particular moment in time.
June 26, 2014
It is the 1930s. Mussolini is intent on expanding Italy’s African Empire into Ethiopia from the colony in Eritrea. Enzo, port officer in Eritrea, is persuaded by his friend Salvatore to take a native woman as housekeeper and lover. Aatifa, the lady in question, takes the job and suffers the humiliation of her exploitation so that she can earn money to educate her grand-daughter, against the day when Eritrea will be free.
The setting and time period of this novel are interesting, the narrative is simple and straight-forward and the plot is competent. You know how some excellent novels make mediocre movies; in this case the movie has been turned into a mediocre novel. I am aware there is no such movie, but am convinced that it does exist in the author’s head. The screen-play – sorry, story - ticks all the boxes: dramatic opening with blood, thunder and lightning, a woman hunted; flashback to the colony of Eritrea where the feckless Salvatore and gormless Enzo are enjoying life; the growing romance between Enzo and Aatifa; the darkening of tone as the Fascists plan the invasion of Ethiopia; war, race laws, imprisonment, revelation and redemption. What can appear acceptable in a fast moving film becomes in a novel contrived, implausible and sometimes hackneyed.
I stayed with the story. I finished the book. It is not bad, but could have been so much better.
The setting and time period of this novel are interesting, the narrative is simple and straight-forward and the plot is competent. You know how some excellent novels make mediocre movies; in this case the movie has been turned into a mediocre novel. I am aware there is no such movie, but am convinced that it does exist in the author’s head. The screen-play – sorry, story - ticks all the boxes: dramatic opening with blood, thunder and lightning, a woman hunted; flashback to the colony of Eritrea where the feckless Salvatore and gormless Enzo are enjoying life; the growing romance between Enzo and Aatifa; the darkening of tone as the Fascists plan the invasion of Ethiopia; war, race laws, imprisonment, revelation and redemption. What can appear acceptable in a fast moving film becomes in a novel contrived, implausible and sometimes hackneyed.
I stayed with the story. I finished the book. It is not bad, but could have been so much better.
July 11, 2014
I received this Book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I really enjoyed this book, if I could give 4.5 stars I would. It's well written and the with a cast of likeable characters.
The story is based in the African Colony of Eritrea during the interwar periods of the late 1930's and Italy's expansionism into Ethiopia. The Story follows the fortunes of Enzo and the people around him. His housemaid\lover is a local woman who could never been seen as an equal to the Italian leaders, yet Enzo risks it all running against the law in his quest to remain by her side. Aatifa, Enzo's local lover, has a past secret that will shock Enzo to the core.
I really enjoyed this book, if I could give 4.5 stars I would. It's well written and the with a cast of likeable characters.
The story is based in the African Colony of Eritrea during the interwar periods of the late 1930's and Italy's expansionism into Ethiopia. The Story follows the fortunes of Enzo and the people around him. His housemaid\lover is a local woman who could never been seen as an equal to the Italian leaders, yet Enzo risks it all running against the law in his quest to remain by her side. Aatifa, Enzo's local lover, has a past secret that will shock Enzo to the core.
June 28, 2014
I was lucky to win this book as a first read from Goodreads.
It is a wonderful wartime story set in Eritrea which is an Italian colony. We follow the life of a harbour master called Enzo Secchi who lives alone and one day chooses to employ a housekeeper. He meets a local Eritrean called Aatifa and their story unfolds.
The historical colonialism in Africa was fascinating!
If you a good WWII story you must read this book.
It is a wonderful wartime story set in Eritrea which is an Italian colony. We follow the life of a harbour master called Enzo Secchi who lives alone and one day chooses to employ a housekeeper. He meets a local Eritrean called Aatifa and their story unfolds.
The historical colonialism in Africa was fascinating!
If you a good WWII story you must read this book.
July 14, 2015
This was read as my book groups latest offering. On the whole we all enjoyed the love story set in Italian colonised Eritrea. Very much a history lesson for all of us. I had read reviews that the characters were bland but the group all had their own ideas of how the characters would look like and strengths and weaknesses of each.
January 23, 2015
I was thrilled to have won this book in the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
This book took me a while to get into, but was glad that I didn't give up. This turned out to be a good read and would recommend to all who enjoy and old fashioned love story and are interested in colonial history.
This book took me a while to get into, but was glad that I didn't give up. This turned out to be a good read and would recommend to all who enjoy and old fashioned love story and are interested in colonial history.
September 27, 2014
I really enjoyed this book set in 1930s Eritrea. I knew little about this Italian colony and learned much here. Whilst there is plenty of history to discover, at the heart is a compelling love story which I adored.
April 3, 2015
An inter-racial relationship story that treads a fine line between romance and colonial exploitation. The main fascination is the insight into life in the Italian colony of Eritrea and the invasion of Ethiopia, but the love story element is tender and compelling.
May 15, 2015
This was a fairly enjoyable read. I read it in two sessions, though I felt it lagged in places and the some of the characters actions were inconsistent.
It began as a film script and it would an excellent TV series or film. A recommended read.
It began as a film script and it would an excellent TV series or film. A recommended read.
June 11, 2014
thanks to goodreads for the free preview copy
what a lovely book, great historical characters and an engrossing storyline
i was drawn into this story and lapped it up - fully recommended
what a lovely book, great historical characters and an engrossing storyline
i was drawn into this story and lapped it up - fully recommended
August 16, 2014
terrible! don't do it. Should have abandoned ship 1/4 through. Extremely pedestrian writing and boring plot. serves me right for judging a book by its cover!
February 8, 2015
Enjoyable read
April 6, 2015
Loved the Eritrean setting but never really warmed to the characters nor did I find the love story terribly credible.
October 21, 2015
It's fine. Probably not worth purchasing but if your friend hands you the book and says "it's not bad" you could spend a few hours reading it
May 14, 2016
Th ehistorical background was quite interesting, but I was not that engaged by the plot.
September 15, 2016
Really enjoyed this book. I was surprised how much as I wasn't convinced when I read the blurb.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews