Jennifer Anton

The moving family saga begins in November 1914 and ends in December 1947. Corrado Argenta and Adelasia Dalla Santa Argenta live and work in Fonzaso, Italy. They are the parents of 7 children, 5 daughters, and 2 sons. Corrado worked at the local mill and Adelasia was a midwife. The deep beauty of this novel is that it is based on a true story and carries forward the legacy of incredible Italian women in the Argenta family.

Central to this story is the living history of life in Fascist Italy under Mussolini to the occupation by Nazi Germany. As I read about the lives of the Argenta family, neighbors, and friends at this time I was absorbed by their passion for living and loving. I was captivated by their sacrifices and commitment to one another not only within their family but to include their community as family, their strength to combat evil with courage and bravery, and their determination and resilience to live their lives as fully as possible even in times of greatest adversity.

Jennifer Anton opened the door and invited all readers to learn the history of her family and the small Italian village of her ancestry. After multiple trips to Italy from the author’s home in Plainfield, Illinois, and meticulous research she has documented life in Fonzaso, the effects of the World Wars, and the tests of endurance and survival. From “Epigraph” to “Afterword” it is beautifully and thoughtfully written with love and respect. It is a gift in remembrance of the legacy of the women in her family that came before her, a gift to the women in her family that share this time with her, a gift to the women in her family that follow in her footsteps, and a gift to every reader.

Give the gift of remembrance and inspiration to yourself if you have not yet read this novel. I would not hesitate to read it again and I rarely consider that possibility.… (más)

Nina Argenta grew up in Fonzaso, Italy during the aftermath of the Great War. Nina was her mother's helper, learning the skill of midwifery early on. Nina heard of men leaving for America as a child and soon learns that her brother will be among the people in search of a better life in America. One of the young men on the journey, Pietro Pante came back to visit Fonzaso and he and Nina began a romance. Nina and Pietro marry in Italy with a promise of reuniting before Pietro returns. Pietro toils in a dangerous coal mine in Pennsylvania saving all of his money to bring his family together. As time passes, Italy falls under Mussolini's control, Nina's family becomes threatened by food scarcity, soldiers and spies. Meanwhile, Nina has not heard from Pietro for years and is struggling to keep her family alive.

Under the Light of the Italian Moon chronicles the life of the Argenta and Ponte family matriarchs, the author's great-great grandmother, great-grandmother, and grandmother. Written with care and researched from first hand accounts, Anton brings to light the amazing lives of the women in her family. Living through hardship, turmoil and wars, the Argenta family shows bravery, hope, resilience, love and loyalty. From the time Nina and Pietro met, I knew their life would not be easy. Through repeated hardships, grief and loss, Nina and Pietro managed to make it through the most dire of circumstances to build a happy life for their family. It was interesting to read about Mussolini's influence in Fonzaso and what the citizens thought of him through the years from indifference to curiosity to leader and tyrant. I was consistently amazed at Nina's ability to continuously face hardship and tragedy and keep going as well as her ability to keep love alive for so long from so far away. Overall, an amazing story of real people and family history.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (más)