Verdi's Dream

As others have commented, it's puzzling why something as totally accomplished as your book is on this site, but wonderful for readers here to find something so polished and effortless. That's the trick you pull off - to bury all your evidently meticulous research and deep knowledge beneath the surface of a compelling story so that it doesn't hold up the sweep of the action with history lessons. The heat and blood and horror of that square stay with the reader. And you haven't just put all the effort into the first chapter and then tailed off - the random later chapters that I read were just as taut and assured. Can't see how this can fail - it's terrific. Happy to back you. Anna as Cate

Lisa, this has every sign, from the chapters I've read to date, of being a fascinating novel. I'm certainly impressed by your grasp of detail and assiduous research, but there's much to admire in your writing too. There's an easy flow to the narrative, very well presented and set out, and the many-faceted plot shows promise of a story that will enthral the reader. I'm delighted to support this and expect it to do very well on this site.
Jake.

Verdi's Dream loks like the real deal. It captures brilliantly from the 1st pages the atmosphere of wartime Europe and all its varied contending factions. The attention to detail is terrific and the research is there to be seen while at the same time it doesnt get in the way of the story. The partisans are out for fascist blood and the corpses are piled high. A book with real promise

John O'Brien - Other Face

A fascinating piece of history, Lisa, with a deeply layered, literary style to your writing. Sara will have readers feeling for her from the beginning, and bear witness along with her to that terrible *spectacle*. And the enigma that is Simon - I can only hope that he'll still be thanking his Mama for his heritage. He's an interesting man, in a cast of colorful characters, real or imagined.

I can hear your Verdi music all through this story, and back it for you and for Italy.

From Kay
(Waystation to Prosperity Street)

"Killing being such hard work, it was astonishing how many relished it." It reminds me a little of the American killing squads in Afghanistan, butchering the locals for trophies. You draw a vivid picture of the death of Mussolini while Sara frantically tries to find Simon - the American with the M.I.T. frat pin. I'm enjoying this and will read more when I get a little time. Backed for now.

I got a bit bogged down with the bits at the beginning but that's just me ... when the prologue finally appeared I wasn't disappointed ... this is very well written and I'm looking forward to finishing it. I'll be back with more in depth comments when I'm done (or maybe before ... :D).

Mick

This is extremely well written and surprised that no publisher has yet picked it up. Not long ago I read a fine book 'Italy's Sorrow' by James Holland about the war in Italy and the horrific partisan war so a lot of this was fresh. It's also interesting to note that Alan Whicker received the surrender of the SS in Milan as he was the senior British officer available at the time. He was only a Captain.
There is real authenticity and knowledge here. The opening sequences around the dead Mussolini makes you think the author herself was actually there to sum up the whole scenario so well.
Outstanding, in every way, WL and starred for now, regards, Mark

I found your first two chapters to be beautifully written and compelling. The first line of the prologue slowed me down. And I love run-on sentences--you do them well. But I slowed down because I wondered whether the Less-is-More principle might not apply to this particular line. I guess I got retentive at that moment. Not a crit. Just my perception, offered with a question mark. I appreciated your intent with it. Your premise is a winner. Your prose is lovely--very professional--and I look forward to reading more of this. 5 stars for now.
Best,
John B Campbell

Re-shelving this dream of a Verdi's Dream with accompanying *Stars*, in the hope it helps a little to lift this work up to where it belongs at the top of the chart.

From Kay with love to Lisa
(KC of Waystation to Prosperity Street)

I particularly enjoyed the opening chapter. I was a child at Torino on the 25th of April, 1945, and I think that you have captured the atmosphere of the time very well. Of course, since you now live in Italy, you have also absorbed much of what is Italian. The strength of your story is nonetheless based on your use of the English language, which I think you do with great verve. I found the second chapter heavy on narrative, but it is well crafted enough to make one forget the lack of dialog. I wish you all the best.

Pollux

Not much to say really, Lisa. This is all very polished and accomplished and would not look out of place on the shelves of and leading high street booshop.
If I am being totally honest, I am not sure it would be a book I would by as anything with a historical contect tends to turn me off.. put then i could be attracted by the Italian link and the reference to Verdi in the title since I am a music lover.
I always get a sinking feeling when i see the lists of characters at the beginning of a novel as I wonder whrether I am going to need to keep referring to it, but I ready Nectar by Lily Prior which has a huge chracter list and in the end you did not resslly need it... maybe yours is the same.
So I have given your book a top ranking. I think you deserve every succees. Have toy tried sending this out to agents? I am sure it would be an attrative psropostion.
Simon

VERDI'S DREAM-Lisa Kramer Taruschino
hullo Lisa. A sad time indeed with no one really knowing which way to go or who to trust once they get there. Already shelved and backed.
Please take a look at my book if you have not and thanks for that if you have.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421

VERDI'S DREAM-Lisa Kramer Taruschino
hullo Lisa. A sad time indeed with no one really knowing which way to go or who to trust once they get there. Already shelved and backed.
Please take a look at my book if you have not and thanks for that if you have.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421

I have backed your book because I would home in on a novel novel set in this era. It happens to be a favourite of mine. I would then browse the blurb and the chapters and decide whether to buy. I would certainly buy this beutifully planned, written and researched novel. The opening chapter resonates with the evocative penalty exacted on Mussolini. A worthy key note. which leads into less well desrved penalties. Backed - Marilyn Jenkins 'The Legacy of Alice Waters'

What a wonderful read and excellent story line that engages us to the last word. Tarrant

Ch X11 Ghosts
The canal sounds awful. She seems to have too many demons in her giving her worries. I’ve never been to Milan and you paint a wonderful picture of them and the surroundings. This is well written and I can see why it is rising fast. I wish you luck with your book and I will back it with pleasure.

Tony
Life Bringer

No need to write in all caps. Writing in all caps is unusual and pulls the reader out of your story while they try to figure out what you mean with all caps. You don't want that to happen. Other than that, this is a powerfully dramatic historical romance. Memorable characters. Authentic relationships. Excellent character development. Great blend of action, dialogue and narrative. Awesome plot. Gifted writing. A riveting read. Backed.

As others have commented, it's puzzling why something as totally accomplished as your book is on this site, but wonderful for readers here to find something so polished and effortless. That's the trick you pull off - to bury all your evidently meticulous research and deep knowledge beneath the surface of a compelling story so that it doesn't hold up the sweep of the action with history lessons. The heat and blood and horror of that square stay with the reader. And you haven't just put all the effort into the first chapter and then tailed off - the random later chapters that I read were just as taut and assured. Can't see how this can fail - it's terrific. Happy to back you. Anna as Cate

Finely detailed and multi layered book you've written here. It's impressive the amount of work you've put into this, the writing feels finished, the writing just flows. It's such a fascinating time in history and you've done a great job of bringing it to life. Lots of memorable characters too, the kind you remember after you've read the book. I skipped around to later chapters, as I do for complete books and I was pleased to see the writing and polish appeared consistant throughout.

Missy
Mark of Eternity

Lisa, I listen ot audio books while I travel around town, and at the moment I'm listening to Jeff Schaar's trilogy of WWII, so I'm right there in the square with Sara, the hanging bodies--hard to believe that was the 20th century. You certainly brought the horrors to life and wrapped the history around your story. Your story seems effortless, and which tells me you know your history as if you were there. Congratulations, you've created a great book. I hope it goes far.
Caroline
KC Hart
Summer Rose

You've captured the sights, sounds, smells and heated emotions of the period. I would want to read this book as an historical thriller--watching Operation Sunrise deal with the NAZI's and renegade partisans. I sense from the opening that this will also follow a romantic line, and from the pitch, a personal growth line as Simon reattaches his roots. This formula certainly worked for Uris in Armageddon, and your obvious writing skill, combined with Sara's engaging, observant and generally intelligent character give promise that you can make a success of it as well. Backed.
Niobrara Kardnova (Family Irregulars)

How wonderful to find a literary style of writing. The only word I didn't like was pullulating...but that's just me. I looked at a selection of chapters to get the feel and the research is full of informative, interesting detail well woven into the story one is taken straight into the peculiar and hectic period that followed the end of the war...strangely anti-climactic. Italy and all its richness of colour, mood, music flows through what I've read so far and it is almost as if one was watching a film or a television play...I do hope it gets picked up and made into a Sunday night serial! Lots of luck with it, I feel sure an agent will take it. Only one thing, maybe you don't need all the lists at the start for this site ...for the book naturally...but on here, we like to get into the chapters fairly quickly. :-)

Lisa : This is a well-researched, very well-written novel with broad narrative scope and an interesting cast of characters. Reading English novels set in foreign lands, other than translations, I find myself uncomfortable with a mixture of local vernacular with English dialogue, but that is a personal reaction and does not detract from the quality of this book. I am happy to back it..
Adam' s Apple is a much more modest affair, but you might find it amusing.
Leslie Rocker

I backed this a couple of days ago and kept reading. Most people comment on the start, which I read five chapters of, so I won't repeat. I also read a couple from the middle and the last three. I thought the writing was well controlled and I can't say I tripped over anything (typos, unnecessary words, waffle) You take the reader into the story and there was nothing to pull them out again. Fairly seamless. The end was well handled. The detailing of the shooting and his blanking of the fact he was only moments late, and then the relating of his journey on the bike and subsequent shooting of her killer was told very well, interspersed with his relating the story. it was realistic, I thought, and his tone and measured way of talking still reflected the numbness of what had happened. You leave the reader with a rounded story - I had a sense of sadness. You didn't miss a beat from the sections I read, and I do wish to read the rest now
Cariad
STONES.

Well written with a compelling storyline! Backed.

Liz
The Cheech Room
A Fine Pickle

I came here at the you-must of Mr Barton. Scrolling back at the end of chapter 1 to pry at your profile, it’s no surprise to find that you’ve been around screenplays. This has big-screen feel, with its controlled descriptive focus and pulling-in pace. There’s great swarming energy to your first chapter. This is very professionally presented. That leaves me puzzled as to why it’s here?

(One minor quibble: because of the scientific vocabulary that you initially surround Sara with (the Petri dish and the pullulating), I assumed those to be her terms of reference and her to be a science student, or some such. If she’s not (I don’t yet know), that might be slightly wrong-footing. And with that context in mind, ‘vet’ then threw me.)

Jake sent me here to read this and he's 100% right in his admiration.
Backed with delight

Verdi's Dream loks like the real deal. It captures brilliantly from the 1st pages the atmosphere of wartime Europe and all its varied contending factions. The attention to detail is terrific and the research is there to be seen while at the same time it doesnt get in the way of the story. The partisans are out for fascist blood and the corpses are piled high. A book with real promise

John O'Brien - Other Face

Historical novels require research and an ability to integrate those facts into a drama that will seem possible. The author has done that masterfully. At times I get a bit lost, though, but I'm sure, with a redo, from time to time, you can curb some areas to keep readers on track. Such an undertaking. Good luck to you.

I agree with most of the comments below...rich in imagery and very readable. There are some language issues to be sorted out but nothing too serious
Backed
Stewart

A fascinating piece of history, Lisa, with a deeply layered, literary style to your writing. Sara will have readers feeling for her from the beginning, and bear witness along with her to that terrible *spectacle*. And the enigma that is Simon - I can only hope that he'll still be thanking his Mama for his heritage. He's an interesting man, in a cast of colorful characters, real or imagined.

I can hear your Verdi music all through this story, and back it for you and for Italy.

From Kay
(Waystation to Prosperity Street)

i'll back this because you have a good voice, and a quirky style that is, at its best, absorbing. It needs a good pruning though; there are many placing where you sacrifice flow for details that do not add enough to justify the swap. My main concern is for structure. Make sure that you are not wandering too much. Creating the world is important but should be balanced with plot structure. DO not wander too much without pushing the plot forward. The first chapter seems to end arbitrarily without accomplishing anything relevant to a plot. Only you know for sure, if the plot is unfolding in a timely manner. All and all, an engaging read. Backed. Please read some of my book when you have time, and let me know what you think


blueboy

VERDIE'S DREAM
Backed. Comments to follow.
TMN
"NEVER LOSE..."

You have written a very interesting and unique storyline, which I do like, and created a most memorable main character in Simon. The dialogue is realistic and well written and the pace of your story flows well. All of this along with your descriptive writing makes your action thriller a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

"Killing being such hard work, it was astonishing how many relished it." It reminds me a little of the American killing squads in Afghanistan, butchering the locals for trophies. You draw a vivid picture of the death of Mussolini while Sara frantically tries to find Simon - the American with the M.I.T. frat pin. I'm enjoying this and will read more when I get a little time. Backed for now.

Excellent historical novel. You skilfully draw the reader into the story and keep them turning the pages with good narrative, dialogue and descriptions. Bsacked with pleasure.
Laurence Winchester,
The Cross of Goa

A well written historical novel, with fascinating, edgy, writing. The tension builds nicely, and your style is professional and intelligent. Backed. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

Impressive, atmospheric writing. Should be more literary thrillers out there. Backed with pleasure.

Hi Lisa, lovin' your work. I love history, my favorite genre. You paint a good visual. Good structure, and smooth sentence floor. Happily backed.

blessings,
jim
jack & charmian london (another historical tale)

Your pitch intrigued me and read you post.
Good story, depicted in a solid voice.
The historical part is correct and you do a great job “showing” the specifics of those times. The dialogue is realistic and moves the story along.
The only thing that could be corrected are some run along sentences and the overtly usage of adjectives. Other than that…I liked it and I’m backing it.
Good luck.
Dan
PS. Could you please check mine? Comment/backing will be appreciated. Thanks.

Good writing and authentic settings and characterizations.


good read

The Mind Setter

Lisa,
Verdi's Dream is an intriguing novel with a colorful cast of characters. Your historical research shines throughout the narrative and your descriptive passages are mesmerizing. I look forward to seeing the complete work. Backed with pleasure.

Dear Lisa, I love your love-story set in N. Italy at the end of WWII. :) Simon, your secret agent & Sara were destined from their 1st encounter :) - beautiful story. :) Thank you for your story based on fact & for taking me along. :) Your pitch, prologue, & table of contents prepared me for my read & I was so disappointed that at the end of chapter 4, there is much more to go, since you listed 18 chapters, so I'll go by the pitch & guess that they got married & lived happily ever after. :) I've backed your book :) - could you please take a moment to back my memoirs story? :) Thanks so very much. :) Love, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"
"Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs."

A fascinating tale from a fascinating period of confusion and celebration. You have captured the mood very well and the evocative scenes will keep the pages turning. Paula Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

This is not a country or subject I am familair with but you make it very accessible for the novice. You may wish to consider if you need quite as many descriptive clauses to convey an understanding of the setting to your reader but, otherwise, a fascinating first chapter.

Lisa, this has every sign, from the chapters I've read to date, of being a fascinating novel. I'm certainly impressed by your grasp of detail and assiduous research, but there's much to admire in your writing too. There's an easy flow to the narrative, very well presented and set out, and the many-faceted plot shows promise of a story that will enthral the reader. I'm delighted to support this and expect it to do very well on this site.
Jake.

:) comment to follow - read & commented on 1 hour later :)