Review of The Road to Moresco
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Ruth Pulagis
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Review of The Road to Moresco
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Road to Moresco" by Mark Jamilkowski.]
"The Road to Moresco" by Mark Jamilkowski takes readers on a compelling journey through early 20th-century Europe, following the life of Maria-Luisa Moresco, a gifted pianist, and her daughter Chiara. Set against the backdrop of political upheaval and personal strife, the story captured the tumultuous experiences of Maria-Luisa as she navigates her passion for music amidst the rising tide of fascism in Italy. The novel began in 1910 and progressed through significant historical events, ultimately exploring the complexities of love, ambition, and motherhood.
Maria-Luisa Moresco, introduced as a ten-year-old piano prodigy, was sent to Rome in 1923 to study under renowned composers Ottorino Respighi and later Alfredo Casella. As Mussolini's dictatorship took hold in 1925, the oppressive regime stifled her aspirations, particularly through her enrollment in the ONB, an organization unsupportive of women pursuing careers outside traditional family roles. Desperate to escape these restrictions, Maria-Luisa is aided by Casella, who arranges for her to study with German pianist Edwin Fischer. Despite her successes and a recording opportunity in 1931, Maria-Luisa's life is marred by personal losses and political conflicts.
Her relationship with a passionate and radical thinker culminates in pregnancy and tragedy, leaving her to raise Chiara alone. Maria-Luisa's internal struggles and the socio-political turmoil around her paint a vivid picture of a woman striving to balance her musical career and her duties as a mother. The narrative explores her complex relationship with Chiara and her quest for stability.
The author’s straightforward prose vividly captures the fear and tension of the era. The panic and fear portrayed at the beginning are palpable, and the historical backdrop is intricately woven into the narrative. The book effectively presents multiple perspectives, particularly contrasting radical views with caution. Heartwarming moments, such as Chiara’s joy giving Maria-Luisa a sense of fulfillment, are skillfully depicted, adding depth to the characters. The personal growth and character development toward the end provide a satisfying resolution after the previous turmoil.
Despite its strengths, the novel has notable drawbacks. Maria-Luisa's initial indifference toward Chiara and her resentment toward motherhood made it challenging to empathize with her character. The lack of balance in portraying the joys of motherhood alongside the struggles added to the difficulty of relating to her. Additionally, Maria-Luisa’s perspective on her roles as either a pianist or a mother felt limited. Some readers might find the recurring themes of dysfunction and abuse disturbing.
I enjoyed the clean, precise sentence structures, making it easy to read. However, inconsistencies in the spelling of Maria-Luisa’s name were distracting. Overall, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars because of the dislikes I mentioned and because it could benefit from further editing.
"The Road to Moresco" is a thought-provoking historical fiction novel that offers a deep dive into the struggles of a talented woman against the backdrop of fascist Italy. While the narrative could be more balanced in its portrayal of motherhood and career, it remains a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction with strong character arcs and historical context.
This book is recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a focus on personal and political conflicts, as well as those interested in stories about the resilience of women pursuing their passions in challenging times.
******
The Road to Moresco
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"The Road to Moresco" by Mark Jamilkowski takes readers on a compelling journey through early 20th-century Europe, following the life of Maria-Luisa Moresco, a gifted pianist, and her daughter Chiara. Set against the backdrop of political upheaval and personal strife, the story captured the tumultuous experiences of Maria-Luisa as she navigates her passion for music amidst the rising tide of fascism in Italy. The novel began in 1910 and progressed through significant historical events, ultimately exploring the complexities of love, ambition, and motherhood.
Maria-Luisa Moresco, introduced as a ten-year-old piano prodigy, was sent to Rome in 1923 to study under renowned composers Ottorino Respighi and later Alfredo Casella. As Mussolini's dictatorship took hold in 1925, the oppressive regime stifled her aspirations, particularly through her enrollment in the ONB, an organization unsupportive of women pursuing careers outside traditional family roles. Desperate to escape these restrictions, Maria-Luisa is aided by Casella, who arranges for her to study with German pianist Edwin Fischer. Despite her successes and a recording opportunity in 1931, Maria-Luisa's life is marred by personal losses and political conflicts.
Her relationship with a passionate and radical thinker culminates in pregnancy and tragedy, leaving her to raise Chiara alone. Maria-Luisa's internal struggles and the socio-political turmoil around her paint a vivid picture of a woman striving to balance her musical career and her duties as a mother. The narrative explores her complex relationship with Chiara and her quest for stability.
The author’s straightforward prose vividly captures the fear and tension of the era. The panic and fear portrayed at the beginning are palpable, and the historical backdrop is intricately woven into the narrative. The book effectively presents multiple perspectives, particularly contrasting radical views with caution. Heartwarming moments, such as Chiara’s joy giving Maria-Luisa a sense of fulfillment, are skillfully depicted, adding depth to the characters. The personal growth and character development toward the end provide a satisfying resolution after the previous turmoil.
Despite its strengths, the novel has notable drawbacks. Maria-Luisa's initial indifference toward Chiara and her resentment toward motherhood made it challenging to empathize with her character. The lack of balance in portraying the joys of motherhood alongside the struggles added to the difficulty of relating to her. Additionally, Maria-Luisa’s perspective on her roles as either a pianist or a mother felt limited. Some readers might find the recurring themes of dysfunction and abuse disturbing.
I enjoyed the clean, precise sentence structures, making it easy to read. However, inconsistencies in the spelling of Maria-Luisa’s name were distracting. Overall, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars because of the dislikes I mentioned and because it could benefit from further editing.
"The Road to Moresco" is a thought-provoking historical fiction novel that offers a deep dive into the struggles of a talented woman against the backdrop of fascist Italy. While the narrative could be more balanced in its portrayal of motherhood and career, it remains a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction with strong character arcs and historical context.
This book is recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a focus on personal and political conflicts, as well as those interested in stories about the resilience of women pursuing their passions in challenging times.
******
The Road to Moresco
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Trafficking Murders by Brian O'Hare
