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20+ years ago I was in love with Adriana Trigiani's Big Stone Gap books. I absolutely loved them I bought spare copies for friends, I told everybody how great they are. I haven't read her since. I don't think the time gap did me or her any favours. Whilst there's a lot to like, I can't work out if I've moved on and she hasn't, or if we've just gone in different directions.

I liked Dominica's story. I could have done without Matelda's. I didn't see any of it as a great historic mystery.

What I really didn't get and wouldn't have missed (because I really couldn't see it connecting with the rest of the story) was the tale of the Jewish jeweller who had to flee the Fascists. I'm still not sure what that diversion added to the story.

On the plus side, I was largely ignorant of the persecution of Italians in the UK during the second world war. I guess I should have guessed such things happened but that was largely new to me. The storyline about the ship of exiles was very moving and emotional.

All in all, it's an OK book. But I won't be buying spares for family and friends.