I’m delighted to be sharing Laura’s thoughts about Casa Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra.
- Publisher : Silvertail Books (14 Nov. 2024)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 232 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1913727483
- ISBN-13 : 978-1913727482
Lombardy, Northern Italy, 1637
Cristó Lovetta, a skilled stonemason, arrives in the rural village of Pieve Santa Clara to work on a nobleman’s house.
Haunted by a tragic past, Cristó wonders if he will ever find happiness again. However, as he immerses himself in his work, the warmth of the community and the beauty of the landscape convince him to begin a new life there.
Cristó designs and builds his own house, which he names Casa Paradiso. Over the centuries, Casa Paradiso becomes home to many generations, standing testament to lives beginning and ending, and witnessing the everyday challenges and triumphs of its inhabitants – from love lost and found, to the tragedies of war, the far-reaching consequences of political decisions made by powerful men and the evolving role of women in Italian society.
Casa Paradiso – the fourth instalment of the Paradiso Novels – is a shining, evocative saga spanning three hundred years in the life of a very special house, and a book that explores the enduring strength of the human spirit, contrasted with the transient nature of life itself.
Casa Paradiso Review
I absolutely loved this book with its cleverly written chapters spanning over centuries of one house, in Lombardy, Italy. It was fascinating to read that this book is based on the author’s family home in the same region, which she has renovated.
I enjoyed reading about the different occupants and how generations of people were linked. Some of the stories are of love, loss and grief whereas others I found a joyful and jovial. I was enchanted by the people living at the house and found I longed to discover more about each character.
The writing is beautiful with rich vocabulary which is a joy to read. The storytelling is vibrant and wonderful. This book creates a warmth of love within the community of Pieve Santa Clara.
Casa Paridiso is a fascinating read which I would love to explore again.
About the Author
Francesca Scanacapra was born in Italy to an English mother and Italian father, and her childhood was spent living between England and Italy. Her adult life has been somewhat nomadic with periods spent living in Italy, England, France, Senegal and Spain. She describes herself as ‘unconventional’ and has pursued an eclectic mixture of career paths – from working in translation, the fitness industry, education and even several years as a builder. In 2021 she returned to her native country and back to her earliest roots to pursue her writing career full time. Francesca now resides permanently in rural Lombardy in the house built by her great-grandfather which was the inspiration for her Paradiso Novels: Paradiso, Return to Paradiso, The Daughter of Paradiso and Casa Paradiso. Her novel The Lost Boy of Bologna was also published by Silvertail Books. Twitter @francescascana2 Insta @francescascana2