Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan

Amy        
Lynnie    

historical fiction

Beneath a Scarlet Sky details two years during WWII in which Pino Lella, an Italian teenager in Milan, helps Italian Jews escape to Switzerland, enlists in the war, and serves as a spy against the Germans aiding the partisan efforts in Italy. This is a fiction based on Pino's real story. 

Amy's Review

Oh wow. What a story! Pino had an amazing experience. And, what a knack he had for being in the right place at the right time! The novel also covers the highlights of all the characters’ lives after the war and into current day so that the reader is able to learn what became of everyone.

I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of this heroic, brave, strong, loyal, romantic, adventurous, devout, amiable, and smart young man. Mark T. Sullivan did a fantastic job bringing Pino and all the other characters to life. The story ran smoothly with just the right amount of background information, detail, and intrigue. There were such highs and such lows, the most shining moments and the darkest moments, and it is all written so realistically and understandably. It never lost my interest. Even Pino’s life after the two detailed years is interesting. How fortunate that the author was able to discover Pino’s stories, get to know the man himself, and create such a well-written tribute.

I listened to the audio book narrated by Will Damron and he did a terrific job! I never once thought about the narration itself which is a tribute to the great job he did. His voice acting was perfect for any given mood and character. I give him an A+.

Lynnie's Review

I've been pondering this book since I finished it. I found the history of Italy during WWII particularly fascinating because it isn’t a perspective that is often shared. Overall I enjoyed the story of Pino Lella & his family but while I absolutely believe that much of what I read was true, I also believe that much of it was so far out of the realm of reality that it took the wind out of Lella’s story for me. I suspect that Pino was a true hero who led a fantastic life, but the fictional aspect of his life really muddied his legacy in my eyes. I think Pino's story would have been fascinating enough so I wonder why Sullivan felt the need to embellish it.

Others have made the comparison to Forrest Gump & it’s a good one- Pino is everywhere important & interacts with everyone of consequence...the book definitely feels more fictional than historic. I actually started to roll my eyes about mid-way through the book because some of the coincidences were just too absurd.

Still, it’s an interesting book, but one day I’d like to know Lella’s real story.