4 out of 4 stars
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Carmela is based on a true story of an infant girl who was abandoned on the steps of the Monte Cassino Abbey during the 18th century. It was written by L. Facenna Goss. The story follows the life of the girl, Carmela, as she grows up amongst the monks and the nuns. The confines of the abbey and the convent protect her from the lies, gossip, and rumors surrounding her parents, but at age ten, Carmela filches her mother’s letter from a disagreeable old priest, Father Tomas, which sparks an insatiable curiosity about her past. The story continues with seventeen-year-old Carmela, who adamantly continues to search for answers. Meanwhile, Father Carlo, Father Tomas, and Sister Maria struggle to protect her by withholding the truth. Coincidentally, Carmela also pursues a romance with Angelo, a handsome farm-boy whose family mysteriously has a connection to her real family. Will Carmela finally uncover the truth about who she really is?
I read this book in one sitting because it was extremely hard to put down. The characters were likable and full of life. At the end of the book, I felt like I had personally met each one of them because they were so well written. Additionally, the book contained many plot twists that changed my mood in every chapter. Sometimes I felt as impatient as Carmela and hurriedly raced through the pages with my heart pounding, to find out what would happen next.
There were so many little incidents which perfectly captured the emotions and personalities of the characters. One example was where Carmela and Father Carlo cheekily switched the sugar and salt bottles which resulted in Father Tomas salting his coffee and then unceremoniously spitting it all over Pope Pius who had been visiting from Rome. Some incidents left me in laughs, like this one, and other times in tears, because they were so touching. I really admired the author’s ability to craft these precious moments into the story.
The mystery of Carmela’s life is mainly told through memories. It involved everyone’s perspectives on the situations at hand, as well as their actions, and feelings. This was crucial to the story because it boosted the development of the characters and the setting as the story progressed. I was also able to understand each character’s backstory and why they behaved in a certain way. For instance, Father Tomas and Sister Maria were unfriendly towards Carmela because they were afraid that she would find out their secrets, but truthfully they adored her.
The book seemed professionally edited and I only spotted a few, minor errors. I rate this heartwarming tale 4 out of 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading about the charming characters and figuring out the mysteries surrounding Carmela's biological family. There is some mild violence in the story and sex is implied, but not described, so I think that this book can be enjoyed by older teen girls and young adults. Historical romance fans may also enjoy it. Additionally, although the story contains Catholic elements, it does not focus heavily on religious beliefs, so I think that it will be enjoyed regardless of anyone's faith.
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Carmela
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