Unsettled grief and the aftermath of World War II come to light in this story about Vivian, an actor trying to recover from what was supposed to be the highlight of her career. Now afraid that her career on the London stage is on the decline, she decides to take on a new job as a script doctor in Rome. Though the delights of the vibrant city are many, trouble comes as well, especially with restrictions mandated by the Catholic Church. As Vivian tries to make a new life for herself, she has to face the truth about what happened to the man she loved during the war. Juliet Aubrey narrates with a measured cadence that tends to drag and takes away from the book’s momentum. Even so, listeners struggling with grief will likely respond to the novel’s sensitively rendered topics.
VERDICT Set in post–WWII Italy, Jenner’s latest installment in the “Jane Austen Society” series (following Bloomsbury Girls) explores trauma, with a hopeful resolution. Fans of the series should enjoy the story, though avid listeners may want to increase the listening speed.
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