Early One Morning (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Virginia Baily |
| Products | Book |
Early One Morning is a novel authored by Virginia Baily, published in 2015.
Synopsis
The narrative unfolds in Rome during 1944, centering on Chiara Ravello, who saves Daniele Levi, a Jewish boy, from being deported by the Nazis. The story also includes a flash-forward to the 1970s, where Chiara, living alone in Rome, contemplates her past.
Critical reception
Samantha Harvey of The Guardian commended the book as "exceptionally confident," describing it as a substantial, generous, and captivating tale that is bold, witty, and stylish. She emphasized its unexpected humor alongside its sensitive character development. Allan Massie writing for The Scotsman acknowledged that while some sections were somewhat lengthy, the novel remained "absorbing" overall.
Conversely, certain reviewers pointed out flaws. Both Lucy Scholes and Julie McDowall criticized the conclusion for feeling hurried and unsatisfactory. Clare Dight shared a similar opinion, noting the ending lacked a definitive resolution. Hephzibah Anderson from The Jewish Chronicle reproached the book for not confronting the Holocaust’s atrocities more explicitly, labeling this choice as a "cop-out."
Although opinions varied, Early One Morning has been acknowledged for its compelling narrative and well-drawn characters, provoking thoughtful conversations regarding its storytelling style and execution.