Historical romance/social study set in 1910 Genoa. Romeo & Juliet after a fashion - rich girl meets poor boy, falls in love, daddy says no. Has some interesting things to say about treatment of women in that age - particularly women who we would expect to be financially independent. Don't remember a lot about it but I did zoom through it pretty quickly - that's always a good sign. ( )

Can love truly conquer all, or are family ties stronger and will win every time? House of Serenades is the love story of two people, one from a wealthy, high-society family, the other from the lower class working world. Everything conspires to tear them apart, including family members, but can lover truly conquer all?

Set in Genoa, Italy early in the 1900s the wealthy daughter of a high-powered society lawyer falls in love with the son of a baker. As was common in many cultures during that period in time, the wealthy father believed there should be no mixing of the classes. Events conspire, her father’s behavior causes the family to become disrespected and the daughter is left to make a choice to stand by her family or the man she loves; a choice that is sure to invoke sympathy even in today’s readers. The story is truly classic; a Romeo and Juliet, in sense. I found myself unable to stop reading once I began.
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Can love truly conquer all, or are family ties stronger and will win every time? House of Serenades is the love story of two people, one from a wealthy, high-society family, the other from the lower class working world. Everything conspires to tear them apart, including family members, but can lover truly conquer all?

Set in Genoa, Italy early in the 1900s the wealthy daughter of a high-powered society lawyer falls in love with the son of a baker. As was common in many cultures during that period in time, the wealthy father believed there should be no mixing of the classes. Events conspire, her father’s behavior causes the family to become disrespected and the daughter is left to make a choice to stand by her family or the man she loves; a choice that is sure to invoke sympathy even in today’s readers. The story is truly classic; a Romeo and Juliet, in sense. I found myself unable to stop reading once I began.
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Based on the title and elegant cover, you may expect to find a quiet and unassuming tale of literary fiction, perhaps with an Italian lilt, within the pages of Lina Simoni's newest novel. If so, you'd have the setting right, but the message is far from gentle. Many scenes of high drama and class struggles unfold before the palazzina on Corso Solferino becomes known as the House of Serenades.

In 1910 in the hills of the bustling port city of Genoa, a disturbing scandal has just hit one of its wealthiest, most prominent families. When lawyer Giuseppe Berilli begins receiving anonymous poison-pen letters, not even a painful back injury stops him from tracking down the sender. But strangely, in this place where everybody knows everyone else's dirty business, nobody seems to be talking.

Giuseppe's suspicions fall on several men from his past who he thinks would see him ruined, given the chance. He shares his thoughts with the police, which leads to the revelation of many unpleasant secrets which he, his family, and his associates had hoped were carefully concealed.

It takes gumption to give these people starring roles – Giuseppe and his elderly sister are both disagreeable snobs – but all of the characters, even the seemingly minor ones, have important tales to contribute as well. Despite her faults, it's hard not to root for Giuseppe's long-suffering wife, Matilda, who had been trapped into marriage because of a presumed indiscretion. The story's emotional center is the star-crossed romance between baker's son Ivano Bo, a talented mandolin player, and Caterina, the Berillis' golden-haired daughter, whose life had been cut tragically short.

The House of Serenades will suit readers who enjoy novels filled with passionate feelings and theatrical twists. To its credit, it has a consistently entertaining plot, and the sad plight of women in that day and age is an ever-present theme. Some historical novels take a nostalgic glance back at the past, but you won't find this here. Instead, it's a colorful, oftentimes heartbreaking look at social conflict, the misfortunes it can engender, and the strength and love required to overcome it.

First published at Reading the Past. ( )

An author to watch.

This was an enjoyable read, set in Genoa of 1914. It had a good feel for the era, with a generous sprinkling of secrets, corruption and tragedy. It highlighted the distinct class separation of the times and the low esteem in which women were held.

Giuseppe Berelli was a well respected lawyer in the city, he owned his own firm and employed his two sons. His social position was everything and he would go to extreme lengths to maintain it. It was against this background that his daughter, Caterina, fell in love with, Ivano, a baker's son. The relationship caused an uproar and Guiseppe reacted violently.
Ivano, a skilled mandolin player did everything he could to reach Caterina, but how could a mere baker pitch himself against the powers of Guiseppe?

The characters were well written but some of Ivano's reactions were a bit excessive and his love-lorn character did get a bit exaggerated. There were some interesting secrets, timely revealed, but the ending could have been improved.
I would happily read this author again, hopefully her maturing style will make for an even better read. ( )