Casa Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra

"Three hundred years the house had been standing sentinel, bearing the extremes of the seasons; through times of feast and famine, wars, revolutions and periods of blessed peace. Often Luigi found himself wondering about those who had called Casa Pardiso their home over the centuries... If only those old walls could speak!

The house was more than just a building. It was an archive of lives, each like a chapter in a book, but nothing more than a short story, really. The span of a human existence was as quick as a blink in the endless expanse of time..."
 

Casa Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra is an outstanding historical fiction set in Italy. This is Book 4 of the Paradiso Novels. It can be read as a standalone, however, I strongly recommend starting with book 1 to enjoy all the nuances and references.

Due to a very stressful family situation with our son this year, I have significantly cut down on the blog tours, as I cannot commit, yet, I couldn't say No to another novel by my favourite author. And I'm so glad, I read this beautiful, emotionally-charged story.

You might remember my previous reviews of Casa Paradiso novels -

Paradiso

and The daughter of Paradiso

Casa Paradiso could be described as a prequel to this gripping series.

Blurb:

Casa Paradiso - 300 Years in the Life of a House

Lombardy, Northern Italy, 1637

Cristό Lovetta, a skilled stonemason, arrives in the rural village of Pieve Santa Clara to work on a nobleman's house.

Haunted by a tragic past, Cristό wonders if he will ever find happiness again. However, as he immerses himself in his work, the warmth of the community and the beauty of the landscape convince him to begin a new life there.

Cristό designs and builds his own house, which he names Casa Paradiso. Over the centuries, Casa Paradiso becomes home to many generations, standing testament to lives beginning and ending, and witnessing the everyday challenges and triumphs of its inhabitants - from love lost and found, to the tragedies of war, the far-reaching consequences of political decisions made by powerful men and the evolving role of women in Italian society.

Casa Paradiso - the fourth instalment of the Paradiso Novels - is a shining, evocative saga spanning three hundred years in the life of a very special house, and a book that explores the enduring strength of the human spirit, contrasted with the transient nature of life itself.

Casa Paradiso is a wonderful collection of stories, all inter-connected, and weaved together into a rich narrative. The stories are a mix of melancholic, poignant, occasionally comic (some tales reminded me of fablios), and heartwarming.

Each chapter tells a story of a new owner/occupant of the house, with their own challenges, tragedies and losses. 

The first chapter tells a story of Cristό Lovetta who arrives to the village of Pieve Santa Clara as a stone mason, known for his strength, skills and artistry. It is Lovetta who finds the perfect location for his future home and comes up with an elegant design.

"There wasn't another like it in the village, with such pretty, intricate brickwork... People would stop to admire the house, and to appreciate the glorious, blossoming garden in which it sat, filled with every kind of vegetable and fruit, and vibrant sprays of flowers".

The house becomes the main focus of the saga. Its gracious proportions, the elegant staircase and splendid fireplace are the testament to the building skills of the first owner. When in later chapters, the changes are made to the old house - you feel such an affinity with it - you are almost bereft. 

I loved the author's notes at the end of the book, revealing the inspiration behind the book. Casa Paradiso is based upon a real house, built by the author's great-grandfather in a small village in Lombardy.

(We also live in an old townhouse, about 300 years old, with its quirky features and never-ending repairs, and I often think, if the old walls could talk...)

Francesca Scanacapra has a distinct style of writing, evocative, compelling and intelligent. This book reminded me of the classic writers of the XIX-early XX century, like Guy de Maupassant, or Chekhov. There is a thematic depth, astute observations of human nature at its best and its worst, complexities of relationships and the gift of captivating storytelling.

There is a theme/image of a little man running through, with the focus on the lives of ordinary common people, who are often vulnerable and helpless, unable to control their destiny. 

I've read many good books this year, some made me cry, some amused me, and quite a few left me indifferent to the characters or the storyline. 

Looking at the year that is coming to an end very soon, Casa Paradiso is among my top three reads, if not THE book of the year.

This review is part of the blog tour for Casa Paradiso.

Many thanks to Francesca Scanacapra, Silvertail Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!

 

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/CasaParadiso

Author Bio –

Francesca Scanacapra was born in Italy to an English mother and Italian father, and her childhood was spent living between England and Italy. Her adult life has been somewhat nomadic with periods spent living in Italy, England, France, Senegal and Spain. She describes herself as 'unconventional' and has pursued an eclectic mixture of career paths – from working in translation, the fitness industry, education and even several years as a builder. In 2021 she returned to her native country and back to her earliest roots to pursue her writing career full time. Francesca now resides permanently in rural Lombardy in the house built by her great-grandfather which was the inspiration for her Paradiso Novels: Paradiso, Return to Paradiso, The Daughter of Paradiso and Casa Paradiso. Her novel The Lost Boy of Bologna was also published by Silvertail Books.

Social Media Links –

Twitter @francescascana2

Insta @francescascana2