[.ca] Casa Rossa (ISBN 0375726373)

From Amazon.com:
In Casa Rossa, Roman native Francesca Marciano tells a riveting tale of three generations of women whose separate acts of betrayal set the stage for later destruction. Renée, the grandmother, forsakes her artist husband and her life in rural Puglia at Casa Rossa, to live with a woman. Alba, her daughter, takes a lover and pushes her husband to suicide. Isabella and Alina, Alba's daughters, take extreme measures to keep each other out of their lives, leading to upheaval. Told through the voice of the youngest daughter, Alina, Casa Rossa weaves the selling and closure of the family estate with the family's sordid and unforgettable history. Spanning the 20th century and providing entrée into the not-so-incompatible worlds of Italian cinema and political terrorism, Marciano, author of Rules of the Wild, reveals an authenticity in the way this emotionally warped family comes to terms with its fragmented past. It's a fine, highly entertaining work, laced with lovely writing and emotionally resonant characters. --Emily Russin

Italian Secrets:
A unique blend of page-turning drama with thoughful prose that makes the reader want to linger over the words. The varied plots about family secrets, political unrest, unfulfilled yearnings and an insider's view of Italy are skillfully woven into an enchanting tapestry. CASA ROSSA left this reader eager to visit Italy. Even before I finished this novel, I went out and bought the author's other novel.

Great Character Development:
I was not certain I would enjoy Casa Rossa after reading the first chapter, but was shortly thereafter swept away by the various stories within the novel. Marciano does a fantastic job at character development. More than likely, you will need to keep reading to find out what will happen to them. Each character also has a distinct personality that shows the depth of the novel. This is the type of novel that remains in your thoughts throughout the day until you can return to it again. If you are interested in Italian culture, this novel should also intrigue you.

Escape to Italy:
Marciano is able to transport the reader into the lushness of her settings with all the sights, smells, sounds and history. Being in Kenya while reading "Rules of the Wild" was wonderful. Now Italy with the added complexity of family and romance and food. I look forward to Francesca's next book and setting perfect for escape.

Enjoyable Fiction:
Loved the fact that it was based in Italy. The family was a good depiction of the real thing. Liked the characters. Too predictable. Held my interest enough to finish the book. I would recommend reading.

Compelling and insightful:
Francesca Marciano has the verbal equivalent of a master sculptor's chisel for creating believable characters. In "Casa Rossa" she not only tells a compelling tale about three generations of a southern Italian family, she gives many wonderful insights into daily life in Italy today and in the early 20th century. I particularly liked her spin on the tarantella. Although now merely a lively dance at Italian wedding receptions, Marciano reveals the folkloric purpose of the tarantella and the ritual that is connected with it with a clarity I had not before read. The novel has great atmospheric sense as well, whether the location is the deepest Italian south, Rome, northern Italy or New York. It's only drawback is its cinematic pace.