... an accomplished historical novel that is both steeped in period detail and full of relatable characters—a welcome addition to the growing list of history-based novels about everyday people, especially women, who did what they could to defeat the Third Reich ... Scottoline is a master at ramping up the suspense, and in Eternal she delivers a slow-build of hate and violence culminating in a nail-biting scene at the transit camp where Jews are being held before they are shipped to Auschwitz ... Scottoline... has imbued [her] novels with authenticity and relevance ever since her first[.]
... [a] simple beauty and heartfelt emotional journey ... Scottoline’s scholarship has inflected every vowel and consonant in this gripping, thrilling tale of lives on the brink of countless changes. The characters are so beautifully fleshed out that you feel as if you are reading someone’s family memoir ... The love affair and the biased world views are both multidimensional and balanced together in a magnificent achievement of literary construction. Perhaps Scottoline’s hard-earned research helped her see a more complete picture of the two worlds, one exterior and one interior, but both are damaging and challenging. Elisabetta, Marco and Sandro share a stage that is swift and ever-changing, which makes Eternal a truly outstanding work of historical fiction ... May the scholarship and literary invention of this extraordinary novel find a home in the hearts of readers everywhere.
... this is an addictive read. Scottoline's passions, for Italy and the story, shine in her clear, descriptive sentences, which place you right there, watching history unfold. The book's themes coincide with political and social events in the news today ... Make a plate of fettuccine, pour a glass of red wine, and settle in with this captivating tale. You will cry tears of sadness and joy. Scottoline's Italian heritage combined with all her diligent research will keep this story in readers' hearts.
Scottoline conjures atmosphere and culture in lush landscapes and city scenes and delectable culinary descriptions. This nuanced take on WWII Italy offers a variety of perspectives, but at its heart, this is a love story, with heroes lost being warmly remembered and love conquering all ... a coming-of-age WWII love story that will entrance fans and newcomers alike.
While the dialogue is a bit wooden at times, Scottoline expertly brings historical events to life. Fans of WWII fiction will be drawn to this immersive, emotional novel.
Scottoline struggles mightily to bring her sorely tried characters alive through their love for each other, but they mostly remain pawns of history who believe till the end that 'the Vatican will intervene, of course.' A heartfelt but schematic wartime tear-jerker.
