‘A Tuscan Memory’ by Angela Petch is an emotional historical fiction book. This book is part of a series but I picked this up and it is fine as a standalone, although as always when there are other books you do get more out of the story reading all of them. The story does intertwine with the other book, so I would have possibly enjoyed it even more. This book is set in Tuscany, Italy and the story is a dual timeline.
We are taken right back to 1915 to Guiseppe and Marisa’s story from their points of views, switching from one to the other until we are in the present day. I was truly engrossed with the history of these two and I also learned about the transumanza, the twice-yearly movement of the sheep and cows from high to lowlands and back again. Guiseppe joins the herders who are part of this transition and leaves his family. Marisa starts as his friend and becomes his wife and mother to their children.
In the present Francesco and Anna are bringing up their children while dealing with issues with their son for one. Davide is struggling to feel like he belongs and his family history, Francesco works to help his family and Anna is worried about the state of her health. Davide decides to run away and in the process, he makes a friend that unwittingly helps his family connect to the past.
This is a beautifully written book and its descriptive narrative took me right to Tuscany and I could imagine the river and even the old mill there. It really had me enchanted by the Italian people with their unique way of life and the country itself.
Thank you to Bookouture, Netgalley and the author for the copy of A Tuscan Memory in order to write this review today.
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