“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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Enjoyable
A great historical novel set in Italy.
There are lots of characters and covers years/generations on an island in the mediterranean. It seems that you don’t get the depth of the character or the story because of the vastness?
Beautifully written with characters you would like to meet.
It took awhile before I got really interested in the book. I think until the characters were well established. But then I started to really enjoy the story. I love stories about family & their generations.
A book about human beings in all their ugly ignorant redemptive beautiful glory. In parts it hurts to read, just as life, in parts, hurts to live, but the story continues and darkness does not get the last word
Charming book. Lovely and well written.
I didn’t think I was ever going to finish this book. The time line was way too long
I was hoping to read an interesting story about this area but the beginning was weak and I stopped reading it.
Very real family dynamics. Honest and touching
The author reallys brings to life the exotic locale, a small island south of Italy, and the families and characters revealed through several generations are very engaging. Great Read!
Sweet storyline in Italy. Great characters!
The story telling is excellent. I enjoyed being in the world of the village in Italy.
Could not put the book down. WONDERFUL story of 4 generations. Well written. I wanted to go find this island!!!
Too melodramatic for my taste.
It was different! Don’t know if I would recommend it or not!
Simply did not find this book interesting and although I read the entire book, did not enjoy it.
Inter generational saga in small village on isolated island off Italy.
Well written and drew you into the lives of the characters.
The author not only developed the characters so that I felt they were my neighbors, she made my want to live on Castellamare.