The Tuscan Child (by Rhys Bowen)
I’m a huge fan of historical fiction novels and the authors who craft such captivating stories. It’s surprising how I overlooked reading any of Rhys Bowen’s books, but I’m delighted that I finally got around to reading one.
The Tuscan Child, set in the picturesque Tuscany region, begins in 1944 with Hugo Langley, a British pilot, crashing his plane. He’s discovered by Sofia Bartoli, a local woman, who helps him find safety in an abandoned, bomb-stricken monastery. In secret, Sofia nurses Hugo’s wounds and provides him with food, setting the stage for a love story.
In the early 1970s, Hugo’s daughter, Joanna, returns to her childhood home in the English countryside for her father’s funeral. While going through his personal belongings, she finds an unopened letter to Sofia. This discovery prompts Joanna to embark on a journey to Tuscany, where her father’s plane crashed, to uncover the secrets of his time there and the love affair with Sofia.
The book primarily focuses on character development and building each character’s backstory. Although the time between scenes may seem brief, the pacing can be somewhat slow, causing a dragging sensation at times. However, I was thrilled when mysteries began to be solved, especially as I eagerly anticipated the fates of Hugo and Sofia in 1944. Despite all the mysteries being resolved and the story concluding satisfactorily, it felt a bit abrupt, as if everything came together too quickly.
Despite the awkward pace, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, was engrossed in its progression, and developed a fondness for the characters. It was bittersweet to reach the end and bid farewell to the characters.
I borrowed The Tuscan Child using my Amazon Prime membership and enjoyed reading it on my Kindle. I eagerly anticipate reading more of Rhys Bowen’s historical fiction novels in the future.
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