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The Tuscan Secret
- Narrated by: Ellie Heydon
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
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The Tuscan Secret
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Summary
An absolutely gripping, emotional, World War II historical novel
Il Mulino. An old crumbling mill, by a winding river, nestled in the Tuscan mountains. An empty home that holds memories of homemade pasta and Nonna’s stories by the fire, and later: the Nazi invasion, and a family torn apart by a heartbreaking betrayal.
Anna is distraught when her beloved mother, Ines, passes away. She inherits a box of papers, handwritten in Italian and yellowed with age, and a tantalizing promise that the truth about what happened during the war lies within.
The diaries lead Anna to the small village of Rofelle, where she slowly starts to heal as she explores sun-kissed olive groves, and pieces together her mother’s past: happy days spent herding sheep across Tuscan meadows cruelly interrupted when World War Two erupted and the Nazis arrived; fleeing her home to join the Resistenza; and risking everything to protect an injured British soldier who captured her heart. But Anna is no closer to learning the truth: what sent Ines running from her adored homeland?
When she meets an elderly Italian gentleman living in a deserted hamlet, who flinches at her mother’s name and refuses to speak English, Anna is sure he knows more about the devastating secret that tore apart her mother’s family. But in this small Tuscan community, some wartime secrets were never meant to be uncovered....
A stunning tale, inspired by true events, about how the tragic consequences of war can echo through generations, and how love can guide us through the darkest times. Fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and The Letter by Kathryn Hughes will be captivated.
This book was previously published as Tuscan Roots.
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What listeners say about The Tuscan Secret
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Annie
- 12-01-21
The Tuscan Secret
Totally enthralled by this story written by Angela Petch which was so descriptive of this beautiful part of Italy. Narration by Ellie Heydon was delightful and I can’t wait to listen to more of these great author’s books.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rachel
- 15-09-20
The Tuscan Secret
Wonderful read. WWII in Italy and the long term effects lasting generations. Learned a lot I didn’t know. Lovely ending.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- TG
- 02-08-19
What a great listen!
Thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. Likeable characters, wonderful descriptions of Italy and a love story to boot. Not cheesy or sickly, a really good listen. Narrator was excellent and really invoked feelings or being swept along. (Whilst all Italian sounds fluent, I wouldnt know how accurate but was great. There were two words in English that were mispronounced and you do notice them but the do not detract at all from the story, characters and enjoyment of the book). Loved it and highly recommended
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- TerryHeth
- 14-08-19
An enjoyable listen
Anna has her mothers diary from her youth & what she went through in Italy during the war. Now I’m not a big fan of books about the war, bad at history! But this story was really lovely.
The diary leads her further into her mother’s past and some sad, sweet & turning moments. Anna learns a lot about her Mother, Ines, while she travels to Italy from England to trace her roots. Making life long friends along the way.
Narration was very good, easy to listen to and enjoyable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SandraL
- 07-08-19
Wonderful moving story
This book was a real delight to listen to. It is a change from my usual genre but I was totally captivated by it.
It is really two stories in one. We hear about the courtship of Ines, a young Italian girl and Jim, a British soldier in 1944 Tuscany and their lives after the war ends. We also follow Ines daughter, Anna, who in 1999 travels from England to Tuscany to try to make sense of her mothers diaries which were left to her after her mother passed away.
This is a beautifully written book and Angela Petch obviously did her research well. It is impossible not to be moved by the plight of the Tuscan people and the hardships they suffered under Nazi occupation. We hear so much about the French resistance, but I can't say I've ever heard of the Italian resistance, the partisans. Some of the book is quite harrowing to read, and I admit that some tears were shed. Although this is fiction it felt like I was listening to someone's real life story.
Tuscany is definitely the star of the book and I fell under it's spell. The landscapes, the delicious local food and the people are all described in exquisite detail. I have visited several places in Italy but not Tuscany and after reading this it is on my must visit list! I also I loved the smattering of Italian that ran through the book.
I did guess the twist about halfway through the book but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. I just wanted to finish the book to see if I was right!
The narration by Ellie Heydon was perfect too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Lorraine
- 07-01-22
loved the book
a good story telling history with romance. good narration and descriptions of the lives lived and love.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah Rayner, author
- 11-08-19
A romantic and moving story, perfect for my Tuscan holiday
A thoroughly enjoyable listen, which both moved and engaged me from the off. Authentically captures the times and places in which it’s set and serves as an important reminder the French were not the only ones with a resistance fighting Fascism in WW2. Strongly recommended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Allie Samuel
- 27-08-19
WW2
I really enjoyed this book. I listened on audio and often found myself driving around to finish chapters! I love most books where there are different stories, told by different sides that all tie up together. Anna’s mother passed away and leaves her her diaries. As her mother was Italian Anna decided to travel there to see where her mother grew up and where her story cane from. Won’t ssy anymore but if your looking for a good read/listen - I highly recommend
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mrs a j harding
- 01-07-19
Exciting untold story of WW2
Beautiful story about the people of Italy rebelling against the war their countries leader is partaking in.
Covering ww2 to present day, had me gripped.
Loved it very much
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- miss s u wicks
- 30-07-20
Good story
Really engaged with this story
Had to get used to the narrator doing the different voices
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