“A perfect summer read [that] brims with heart . . . Don’t be surprised if you keep turning the pages long into the night, spellbound by its magic.”—The Denver PostA sweeping saga about four generations of a family who live and love on an enchanting island off the coast of Italy—combining the romance of Beautiful Ruins with the magical tapestry of works by Isabel Allende.NAMED ONE OF THE BEST … Allende.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • Los Angeles Public Library • Kirkus Reviews
“Captivating . . . [Catherine] Banner’s four-generation saga is set on an island near Sicily, where myths of saints get served up with limoncello at the Esposito family’s bar. . . . The island is fictional, but consider this dreamy summer read your passport.”—People
“A lusty page-turner that weaves romance, rivalry and the intricacies of family expectations into one glorious tale.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune
Castellamare is an island far enough away from the mainland to be forgotten, but not far enough to escape from the world’s troubles. At the center of the island’s life is a café draped with bougainvillea called the House at the Edge of Night, where the community gathers to gossip and talk. Amedeo Esposito, a foundling from Florence, finds his destiny on the island with his beautiful wife, Pina, whose fierce intelligence, grace, and unwavering love guide her every move. An indiscretion tests their marriage, and their children—three sons and an inquisitive daughter—grow up and struggle with both humanity’s cruelty and its capacity for love and mercy.
Spanning nearly a century, through secrets and mysteries, trials and sacrifice, this beautiful and haunting novel follows the lives of the Esposito family and the other islanders who live and love on Castellamare: a cruel count and his bewitching wife, a priest who loves scandal, a prisoner of war turned poet, an outcast girl who becomes a pillar of strength, a wounded English soldier who emerges from the sea. The people of Castellamare are transformed by two world wars and a great recession, by the threat of fascism and their deep bonds of passion and friendship, and by bitter rivalries and the power of forgiveness.
Catherine Banner has written an enthralling, character-rich novel, epic in scope but intimate in feeling. At times, the island itself seems alive, a mythical place where the earth heaves with stories—and this magical novel takes you there.
Praise for The House at the Edge of Night
“A gorgeous, sweeping story set over four generations . . . calls to mind Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and Beautiful Ruins.”—Interview
“Like pictures of a childhood summer, or a half-forgotten smell, this book is sweet and heady with nostalgia . . . [and] comforting as a quilt.”—NPR
“Rich and immersive, this book will take you away.”—Vox
“A masterful piece of storytelling, infused with the miraculous (both in stories and in everyday life) while maintaining the difficult balance between the explainable versus the inexplicable . . . captivating and beautifully rendered.”—Sara Gruen, author of At the Water’s Edge
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Wonderful writing!
One of the best books I have read in a long time. Great characters, great writing, great story.
I like stories that span generations, so this book appealed to me. Also the setting and vivid description of the small island off the coast of Sicily was enjoyable. The first generation history was most of the story and kept me interested. Then the quick summary of the children and grandchildren didn’t keep interest quite as well, but in all it wrapped up satisfactorally.
An absorbing saga of multi-generational families in Italy set in historical events…well-drawn characters.
Loved every bit of this book. One of those you don’t want to end!
Last fall, I read Luncheon of the Boating Party, which I immediately acknowledged suffered in my opinion from having been read immediately on the heels of Shogun, which was only one of the very best books I ever read.
Catherine Banner’s The House at the Edge of Night was similarly unlucky, but more so, as the two books last fall had about as much in common as William Shakespeare and Margaret Mitchell. The House at the Edge of Night parallels Pachinko in such ways that you’d think I was trying to read of the same genre and timeframe. Like Pachinko, The House at the Edge of Night is a multi-generational saga that spans the twentieth century.
Amedeo Esposito arrives on Castellamare, a blip of an island within shouting distance of Sicily, at the end of World War I to serve as the doctor. In nearly-feudal Italy, though, he essentially serves at the pleasure of the local count and when he falls into disfavor, Amedeo instead becomes the proprietor of the defunct and decrepit House at the Edge of Night, formerly the center of island life. Under the careful guidance of Amedeo and his wife, Pina, it will be again. Naturally, World War II exacts a terrible toll on both the island and the Espositos, and the emergence of Castellamare into modern Europe is only slightly less painful.
All of this Banner tells with Grace and fine prose; I could practically smell the bougainvillea and salt air that so infuse the story’s island home. If I couldn’t quite picture Amedeo, Pina’s black braid cast a lasting image in my mind. No, there’s absolutely nothing deficient about The House at the Edge of Night…it simply suffers by comparison to Pachinko.
My advice is to read both, but not too close together.
(This review was originally published at http://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2018/02/the-house-at-edge-of-night.html)
I loved this book ! It reminded me of my Italian grandma with the sayings and snails!
This is a really, really good book. The writing is first rate with multi-faceted characters and three dimensional plot work. A real saga. if you love Italy or all things Italian, don’t miss this book
interesting take on isolated island living
Great read with strong female characters. I have not read anything by this author but I’m going to.
Too long and drawn out for content
Started out well and then I kind of lost interest. It seemed to drag on and on….
I loved this book. A well told story. Lovely writing.
It was a wonderfully engaging family saga that pulled me in and held me until the very end; simply a marvelous story!
Took me a little smile to get into but then it became a must-read nightly.
unremarkable
One of the best novels I’ve read in quite awhile.
The House At The Edge Of Night is a slow moving, detail filled story that I enjoyed more than I expected that I would. The characters are well developed and the story spans several generations on an island where things are a bit more primitive than the mainland. I loved it.
You will get to know these characters, their history, and passions, like friends. Life on a small island near Italy is the background for the mural of characters & their lives.
Really enjoyed the way the story developed