To survive the Holocaust, a young Jewish woman must pose as a Christian farmer’s wife in this unforgettable novel from USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Robson—a story of terror, hope, love, and sacrifice, inspired by true events, that vividly evokes the most perilous days of World War II.It is the autumn of 1943, and life is becoming increasingly perilous for Italian Jews like the Mazin … Italian Jews like the Mazin family. With Nazi Germany now occupying most of her beloved homeland, and the threat of imprisonment and deportation growing ever more certain, Antonina Mazin has but one hope to survive—to leave Venice and her beloved parents and hide in the countryside with a man she has only just met.
Nico Gerardi was studying for the priesthood until circumstances forced him to leave the seminary to run his family’s farm. A moral and just man, he could not stand by when the fascists and Nazis began taking innocent lives. Rather than risk a perilous escape across the mountains, Nina will pose as his new bride. And to keep her safe and protect secrets of his own, Nico and Nina must convince prying eyes they are happily married and in love.
But farm life is not easy for a cultured city girl who dreams of becoming a doctor like her father, and Nico’s provincial neighbors are wary of this soft and educated woman they do not know. Even worse, their distrust is shared by a local Nazi official with a vendetta against Nico. The more he learns of Nina, the more his suspicions grow—and with them his determination to exact revenge.
As Nina and Nico come to know each other, their feelings deepen, transforming their relationship into much more than a charade. Yet both fear that every passing day brings them closer to being torn apart . . .
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I had the opportunity to read this book for a cover quote, and was delighted to do so–it’s a refreshing change from France/England centric WWII fiction, superbly grounded in the horrors of fascist Italy. A Jewish medical student escapes deportation by trading her native Venice for rural farm life, posing as the Catholic wife of a priest-in-training turned resistance fighter–but at what cost to her faith, her unwitting new family, and the man she is coming to love? Tense and touching, devastatingly simple and poignantly sweet.
Jennifer Robson has written a powerful story based on facts learned from her relatives who live in a small village in Italy. Obviously well researched, she has fictionalized the story of the courage and resilience of the villagers who hid Jews during WWII and introduced us to Nina and Nico. Nina’s arduous journey from the safety of Nico’s family through time spent in concentration camps is both heartbreaking and inspiring. It is also a strong reminder to all of us to listen to the stories of our elders before they are lost forever. I highly recommend this book.
This was such a gorgeous historical romance! Set during WW2 in Italy, Antonia and her father are in Venice. They are Jewish and have had their rights and property seized by Nazi laws. Antonia’s father is a doctor who is forbidden to practice, and Antonia has been training with him in secret. They are unable to flee to safety because Antonia’s mother is ill and unable to travel. When Nazi forces close in, her father sends her away with Nico, a young man in the seminary in training to be a priest who offers to hide her on his family farm. I loved how this love story slowly blossomed in the simple story of survival on the farm, of the dark, harrowing days of WW2, and of getting to know Nico’s family. This was a lovely, sweet romance and I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.
This book was everything! Enlightening, full of history, suspense, love, loss, courage, hope, faith, etc…The dedication and strength that each character had shown through in every situation. A true historical page-turner that left me breathless.
Her best yet!
An immensely powerful read! It is a story of terror, hope, love, and sacrifice.
With so many WWII books being published, I look for something a bit different. This one was set in Italy instead of the usual Germany, France, or Poland. Part of what made this book really special is that during a visit to Ms. Robson’s husband’s family she discovered that his family had actually helped saved people who would otherwise have been sent to concentration camps and probably would have died there.
Nina is a Jewish medical student whose parents entrust her safety to family friend Father Bernardi and his friend Nico. Nina poses as Nico’s wife and flees Venice for the much safer Italian farmlands. Nico was a former seminary student until a family death forced him to leave his studies and return to the family farm. A man of deep convictions, he becomes a resistance fighter. Nico and Nina must now convince everyone that they are newlyweds, blissfully in love. While Nico’s family readily accepts Nina, danger overshadows them when a local Nazi officer, bearing a grudge against Nico, becomes suspicious of who Nina really is.
My heart was captured by Robson’s beautiful writing as I felt myself transported to WWII Italy. I loved the cast of characters. Poignantly sweet, I rejoiced as Nico and Nina fell in love, but I knew these lovers would be torn apart. I felt the family’s pain, as well as their happiness. The story is heartbreaking, yet also heartwarming. The horrors this family faces are inconceivable. I raced through the latter half of the book as the suspense was building. Against all odds, I was hoping the beloved characters would survive.
I loved Ms. Robson’s book “The Gown”. Now I can honestly say that I also love this book.
“She was left with the lingering memory that once, not so very long ago, and not so very far away, she had been loved.” A paean to life & the power of hope. Engrossing story. Lyrical writing. Unforgettable.
What would you do to stay safe and survive one of the most horrific wars in history? Antonina, an Italian Jew, must follow her father’s wishes and leave Venice with her new “husband” for a life she has no clue how to live. We follow Nina and she learns how to survive.
Our Darkest Night was a powerful and moving read. I am a sucker for historical fiction especially ones set in World War 2. I finished this earlier this month and I am still thinking about everything Nina and Nico experienced. I am ashamed to admit I did not much about what the Italians experienced in World War 2. This book gave me an insight.
I suggest reading this with a box of tissues.
Triggers: Rape, Murder, Genocide, Physical Violence, Death of family
Our Darkest Night: A novel of Italy and the Second World War by Jennifer Robson is an excellent WWII historical fiction novel. I have been a fan of Ms. Robson for several years and have faithfully read all of her novels. This book is a great addition to her wonderful portfolio.
I liked the fact that this book presented a unique aspect of placing the reader into the struggles of the citizens that lived in Italy. There are not as many books that focus on this landscape and even fewer that bring to light the atrocities and struggles that the Jewish citizens had to experience and endure during this time.
I enjoyed the premise of this particular novel. The plot line was also unique, and in the spirit of keeping as much of it a surprise for fellow readers as possible, I will limit specifics here. I will just say that I went through several emotions throughout reading this gem. I felt sadness, heartbreak, and suspense to the point that there were several times I was literally gripping the edge of the seat as I read hoping against hope that my beloved characters could survive and overcome such stacked obstacles. I felt hopelessness at times at the broadness and overwhelming difficulties, yet I found rays of light breaking through the dark clouds, and above all, I found that romance, friendship, loyalty, love, and an overall positive ending helped create an extraordinary journey.
I loved the character cast, especially the main characters: Nina and Nico. Both strong and wise beyond their years. I found that they were positive people that were likeable, realistic, sympathetic, and seemed to bring out the strength and best out of one another. I found myself rooting for them along the way and am glad that I got to be a part of their story.
A great historical fiction read that will stick with me for a long time. Another great read from Ms. Robson.
5/5 stars
Thank you William Morrow/HarperCollins for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
On my best books of 2021 list. I read this in January and I still think of the characters . The novel was based on a true story
Our Darkest Night is a gripping story set during WW2 that will captivate you from page one to the final page.
It is a story of courage, valour, family, devastation, strength and determination.
Nico and Nina are posing as a married couple at his family farm in Italy in order to hide Nina from the Nazi’s.
It is not only their story but the story of the people determined to help, the story of the Jewish people who were being persecuted, the story of so much more.
Our Darkest Night will stay with me for a long time to come.
Robson crafts a captivating drama. The indomitable spirit of the Jewish people is extraordinary.
I didn’t care for the profanity.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Far too realistic to be enjoyable!
I would not recommend because it’s too scary with where the world is headed!
Our Darkest Night is one of the best books I have ever read. I finished it days ago, but still can’t get it out of my head. Every single character was so well written that I felt they were people I actually knew–not characters invented in an author’s imagination. Jennifer Robson is one of the finest writers of any time. Her writing style flows beautifully and never once do I need to stop and reread something because it is unclear, or she omitted a piece of information that was necessary for my understanding. Nor does she go off on tangents and include gratuitous passages. Her writing is economic and lyrical. JR’s historical fiction novels transport me to the time and place she writes about. This is why I was thrilled when I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of ODN. I approached it with reverence, knowing that what I was about to read would be exceptional and transformative. It was! And I loved it SO much, that I bought a copy in my favorite format, Kindle, so this review is most assuredly from my heart.
Besides JR’s outstanding writing skills, this book shines because it was inspired by members of her husband’s family. Their heroism during WWII saved people that would otherwise have died in concentration camps. And yet they never flaunted their good deeds. I am grateful that she met with family members in Italy and interviewed them before their story died with them. Even the historical notes at the end of the book are fascinating.
I love books written about WWII, but worry that they will be overwhelmingly sad and leave me demoralized by the horrendous treatment of millions of innocent people. I would like to convey without writing any spoilers that all of the characters in ODN suffered, but what I most admired was their refusal to give up hope. Their strength did not allow them to give up on life and turn to despair. It is rare to read about people with such a determination to survive.
The book is about a young Italian farmer, Nico, who cares deeply about people and saves a young Jewish woman, Nina, by pretending to be her husband, thus preventing her from being arrested and transported with her mother and father out of Venice where they have lived for generations. Nina’s parents loved her so much, that they were willing to let her go, so she could survive. Nico’s family was also sacrificing, because if they were caught helping Jews or those against the Nazi/Fascist regime, they would have been executed. Nico and Nina are good and compassionate people, raised by their families with their own particular religious and cultural traditions, but due to the extraordinary circumstances of the time, both are willing to make compromises to ensure the survival and safety of their loved ones.
Both Nico and Nina have loving fathers. Their interactions with their children was heartwarming, describing an age long gone for most of us. When Nico’s father, Aldo, first meets Nina, he says, ” ‘You are my daughter now. Papa will do.’ He took her hands, kissed her cheeks, and offered a tremulous smile. ‘Welcome to our family.’ ”
I am always amazed that JR, who has a doctorate in British economic and social history from Oxford University can write in such a way that anyone can understand, and be moved by the historical events she writes about.
I loved this book and I will read it again. It was truly exceptional!
I read a review of this book saying it would tear your heart apart and put it back together again…now I get it. 🙂 The main characters, Nina and Niccolo, are so amazing and lovable you never want anything bad to happen to them. But we also know it must…it’s an incredible love story of resilience and strength during an incredibly dark time. Robson is an autobuy for me and never disappoints!
From devastating lows to dizzying highs, Robson takes the reader on a fraught, compelling, emotional journey. In spite of the horrors, great beauty can be found in both the settings and the characters. OUR DARKEST NIGHT is a testament to the power of true and abiding love, and the strength and grace that comes from it. Highly recommended!
An achingly beautiful novel of love and human resilience in the face of horrors in fascist Italy during World War II. “Our Darkest Night” will linger in the reader’s mind long after the last page is turned.
Antonina’s father had been planning how to protect her for a while since the Germans had invaded Italy and were starting to take Jewish people to camps.
His plan was to have Antonina pretend she was married to Nico.
Antonina didn’t like the idea of leaving with a stranger and leaving her father and mother, but Nico was very nice and had a wonderful family who welcomed her as his wife. Well everyone but his sister, Rosa, but Rosa came to love Nina.
Rosa was angry because Nico was to be a priest and this girl took him from the priesthood. They wished they could tell everyone they really weren’t married, but it was too risky. Someone may tell on them.
I became immersed in the family’s hardworking life and the wonder and joy of the simple life they led and their care for each other.
Of course they had to be concerned about the Nazi officers who stopped by and to worry that someone would find out Nina actually was Jewish.
You will fall in love with Nina and Nico and feel Nina’s pain as she tries to fit in and learn how to be a Catholic.
You will actually become fond of each family member, feel their pain as well as their happiness, and want to be part of their loving family.
As in all WWII books along with the beauty and the strength of the people, there is death and cruelty.
The beauty of family and caring citizens will pull you into this marvelously written, well-researched book and help ease the horror of what was going on.
Do not miss this book. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
Our Darkest Night is a compelling story, beautifully written and featuring unforgettable characters. There have been so many stories written about the second world war, but this book stands out because of the heartfelt storytelling and the wonderful characters. Robson delivers a moving story of family and relationships, centered around Nina, a strong and intelligent heroine. It was difficult not to get swept up in the emotions that Nina was feeling as she experienced both heartbreak and joy.
I look forward to sharing this novel with others. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
An engrossing and memorable story, Our Darkest Night is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we must open the door to courage and hope. Jennifer Robson is a master storyteller who will sweep you away with this wartime tale of the importance of family and above all, the enduring power of love.