This is a wartime book set in Italy.
The characters are well developed.
The pace starts slowly but builds up.
An interesting story. A good book

A fast paced and honest historical fiction about the Nazi brutality in Naples in 1943. This book does not hold back on the hideous stories of utter devastation and appalling treatment of people at that time and the strength of the human spirit to win through in the end.
Complex detail but quite easy to follow.

Thanks to NetGalley for ARC.

Wow! I am speechless and I just can't find the words I would like to use to convey how I feel about this book! I had no idea of what the people in Naples went through in WWII during the Nazi occupation. No idea of the brutality and the fear they caused in the people in Naples. But Merullo exemplified their history in less than 400 pages in a book that I don't think I'll ever forget. I've read so many WWII, Holocaust books and I still don't ever think I'll be shocked by anything but let me say I was! I will never if I live through eternity understand how one human being can not only cause, but often delight in, another person's suffering. At the start of the story I thought that Nazi Colonel Walter Scholl sounded like an honorable guy or at least well-respected. So I thought maybe he was going to be a "good guy" as far as a German Nazi goes. But he is as brutal as they come. He's sent to Naples to gather up all of the Jews and stop any and all pockets of resistance. He has absolutely NO regard for human life, human suffering, pain, age (young or old), male or female. He is pure evil in my eyes. What happens to every single citizen of Naples and what they do to defend themselves and their home is astounding and incredibly brave. What I love about such an awful subject and the horrific treatment of people just because they are (fill in the blank) is the human spirit and how it can and does rise under the most adverse circumstances. It gives me hope to know that no matter what evil may befall a people or a country that there is strength in numbers and standing up for what you believe in, even if it means giving your life.

I want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

It was too much happening and i felt like there were too many characters, so i did not connect with them at all.

From These Broken Streets is a historical fiction story set in Naples over four days and during the Second World War in 1943. The allies are getting closer, the Germans want to round up as many Jewish people as they can and all Italian men in the city between the ages of eighteen to thirty three are to be sent to work in Germany.

Giuseppe DiPietra is a curator at the National Archives, he has been creating his own map of the area and where he thinks the Germans are storing ammunition. After his parents are murdered by the Nazi’s Giuseppe is determined to avenge their deaths, he doesn’t want to leave his girlfriend Lucia Pastone and be sent to Germany. Lucia’s father Aldo is involved with the mob and in the final four days of occupation, his lover Rita Rossamadre, Lucia, Giuseppe and Armando a boy who lives on the streets join the fight for Naples.

Colonel Walter Scholl has been transferred to war damaged Naples to impose the new restrictions, a selfish and entitled man who couldn’t comprehend the people would fight back, have their own strategies and outsmart him and his troops.

I received a copy of From These Broken Streets by Roland Merullo from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Inspired by true events and thoroughly researched by the author, the story is about war, courage, sacrifice, bravery, overcoming impossible odds and never giving up. I really liked the interaction between the characters of Lucia, Giuseppe and Aldo and Rita was so caring and brave and four stars from me.

From these broken streets is the second book by Roland Merulo that I've read. After Once night Falls my expectations were mixed because I liked that story but there were a couple of historical errors in that book and the plot lines and characters were difficult to keep track off.
I was pleasantly surprised by From these broken streets because it was much more coherent and easier to follow. The book is well written and I really loved reading about the public uprising at the end of the Nazi occupation in Naples.

It was easy to keep track of the different characters and I loved the way they interacted. One of the nicest touches of this book for me was the way we "see" the other characters in the storylines of the other characters without the protagonist being aware of this. So full 4 stars for this book.

I want to thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I've read other books by Roland Merullo, so when I saw this it was an auto-read for me. I love everything he writes and I always learn a piece of history that I didn't know. Do yourself a favor and read his books. You won't be disappointed.

I enjoyed this book. It taught me about a time I don't ever remember learning about previously. After I reading it made me want to go and do more research about this time.

This was a great retelling of the Four Days of Naples, from the perspective of several different characters. It takes place, of course, during WWII in a German occupied Italy. The locals, tired of being starved, beaten, and killed decide to fight back with unbelievable results.
Despite the short period of time over which the events take place, the character development is very good and you have a distinct sense of each one of them.
Merullo did a great job of describing Naples, making you feel like you've been there before.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

precise details.Naples, Italy, 1943 and the Nazi have devasted the city but now plan to bomb the coastline so neither Allies nor supplies can enter and help the impoverished citizens. Against this backdrop, a resistance is born made up of everyday Neapolitans, who have lost everything but refuse to lose their city and can’t wait for the arrival of any Allies. The characters are varied. Giuseppe, a young archivist who has drawn up a map of the city outlining the Nazis’ gun and supply depots. Lucia, his lover, tasked with covertly taking the map to Rita, a God-fearing prostitute, who will bring it to her brother, Marco, a monk in the Monastero di Genovese. An American soldier has infiltrated the monastery in order to secure information for the Allies’ push into Naples. In the mix is Aldo, Lucia’s father, a black marketeer in service to Zozo, the town’s black market/mafia leader, and Armando, an orphan boy, who will do anything to protect the people who give him food or money.

From These Broken Streets reminded me of the old “movie of the weeks” I enjoyed watching way back when. A fast-moving, intense, and plot-driven story filled with a large cast of colourful characters with their own motivations and histories, who eventually all come together. When they do, they resolve their internal conflicts, their communal fear, and the external battle of fighting off the Nazis on their own to regain control of their homes and become stronger. I felt for the characters and their struggles and celebrated their uprising with them. Inspired by a true uprising, From These Broken Streets was an entertaining and engaging read.
Reviewed for the Historical Novel Society

From These anroken Streets is one if my favorite reads of 2020. This story covers true events of the Italian resistance and uprising that led to the Four Days of Naples in 1943. The writing made the book impossible to put down. I had to keep reading to find out the rest of the story.

The chapters were short which helped keep the story going. There weren't any sections that felt drawn out, in my opinion.

I will add there are trigger warnings of sexual assault and violence including adults and children.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
A fascinating story set in Naples during WW2, perfect for any fan of historical fiction. The writing is good and the plot fast paced.
A great read.

Naples, 1943, during the Nazi occupation. From aiding the Allies against their oppressors to the black market, Giuseppe and Lucia are drawn into the underworld to fight back and regain their country. A good read!

Italy, 1943. The Nazi occupation has cemented its grip on the devastated city of Naples. Cast of characters pulled me in from the beginning.. Much to learn about WWII in this novel. I would recommend this book.

The Review
I’ve said it before, and no doubt I’ll say it again, historical fiction is not really my thing; however, I found this to be a really absorbing read. Set against the backdrop of Naples’ spontaneous uprising against the Nazis (The Four Days of Naples), an episode in history I had absolutely no prior knowledge of, there is a pacey feel to the book.
Told from multiple points of view, I can see how it could feel slightly confusing at first, as you attempt to figure out who everyone is. However, for the first time, I actually didn’t feel confused, and found this very easy to follow. I particularly enjoyed how the character’s lives were interwoven, as this helped bring everything together.

The Stars
A memorable read, and one that’s inspired me to read some more around the events that lend themselves to the novel. Four stars.

Merullo had me at page one with his first mention of the word 'scugnizzo'.

'From These Broken Streets' is an engrossing and intimate look at the intertwined lives of a group of Neapolitans living under the Nazi regime, prior to the city's liberation by the Allies. More specifically, it's a moment-by-moment play of the Four Days of Naples, the incredible true story of the civilian uprising against the city's German occupiers.

Merullo has expertly crafted a multi-POV narrative that sweeps and folds back on itself, blurring lines of time and place, emulating the chaos and uncertainty of life on Naples' war-torn streets. For every moment of beauty, there's one of deftly assault, shocking the reader back into the senseless reality of war.

One of this book's greatest strengths is its handling and exploration of language and culture; moreover, the expert reference to Neapolitan dialect, regional nuances, and the Italian psyche. Merullo shifts between the most reverent religious scenes which pull at the heart strings, and the grotesque indifference of war. His sensitivity to Italian values and the lifestyle of the time is plainly evident; rich in research, soaked in passion,

Merullo's latest book will have you in tears, terror and triumph, all in equal measure.

#RolandMerullo #FromTheseBrokenStreets #NetGalley #NetGalleyReview #book #books #bookreview #italy #italian #naples #fourdaysofnaples #fiction #adultfiction

This historical fiction is based on the City of Naples spontaneous uprising against the Nazis in 1943 ( known as The Four Days of Naples).
The story is told by MPOV’s and we learn how their lives are interwoven.
There were so many characters, that it took me a while to realise who was who and I had to keep back tracking to remember.
But once I’d figured it out, I enjoyed this tale of love, friendship, hope and heroism and learnt something new about Italian history.
A solid 3 stars, thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Co-incidentally this is the second novel I have read over the past couple of weeks, which deals with the subject of the German occupation of Italy. I regret to say that my knowledge of these events was virtually non-existent. It focuses on the period at the end of September 1943 after Mussolini’s surrender (8 September) and the arrival of the Allied forces on 1 October 1943.

Naples suffered greatly during the German occupation. The city was bombed and blasted; it’s citizens were abused and taken as ‘workers’ in slave labour and worked to death; Jews were transported to concentration camps and food and supplies were requisitioned which left the people starving, cold and frightened and the city all but destroyed. Although the allies were ‘close’ the people were unsure of survival. Then the citizens strike back.

Sheer brilliance! I thoroughly enjoyed this book; the characters and plot were vividly drawn, the structure perfect. What a brilliant film this would make. Fingers crossed.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

I loved this book! I loved how each individual story tied into a bigger picture. Stories of bravery in the face of Nazi soldiers. The author drew you into being invested in each character and the city of Naples. Well written, well plotted. I wish I could think of better words, but I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Four days of Naples was something that I knew nothing about. It was interesting finding about this part of World War 2. The bravery of the characters in the story stands out. They risked being murdered by German soldiers. They fought and planned for their freedom. I was totally fascinated by this story and got totally caught up in this memorable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.