One Good Thing
A Novel
by Georgia Hunter
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Pub Date Mar 04 2025 | Archive Date May 03 2025
PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books
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Description
1940, Emilia Romagna. Lili and Esti have been best friends since meeting at the University of Ferrara; when Esti’s son Theo is born, they become as close as sisters. There is a war being fought across borders, and in Italy, Mussolini’s Racial Laws have deemed Lili and Esti descendants of an ‘inferior’ Jewish race, but life somehow goes on—until Germany invades northern Italy, and the friends find themselves in occupied territory.
Esti, older and fiercely self-assured, convinces Lili to flee first to a villa in the countryside to help hide a group of young war orphans, then to a convent in Florence, where they pose as nuns and forge false identification papers for the Underground. When disaster strikes at the convent, a critically wounded Esti asks Lili to take a much bigger step: To go on the run with Theo. Protect him while Esti can’t.
Terrified to travel on her own, Lili sets out on an epic journey south toward Allied territory, through Nazi-occupied villages and bombed-out cities, doing everything she can to keep Theo safe.
A remarkable tale of friendship, motherhood, and survival, One Good Thing is a tender reminder that love for another person, even amidst darkness and uncertainty, can be reason to keep going.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781984880932 |
PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
PAGES | 432 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
If I could give a book 6 stars there’d be no question about this one. I loved “We Were the Lucky Ones” and was so excited to get this book as an ARC on NetGalley! This book provides a great insight into Italy in WW2 and the tumultuous political turmoil the country went through during that time. I loved the story of Lili & Esti and friendship through war and just one avenue of what loving your people looks like. 1000% a must read and I’ll buy this one anyways!
Somehow I was not expecting to be so swept away by One Good Thing. Hunter creates an amazing sense of place, transporting readers to World War II Italy. I felt the sting of each goodbye Lili and Theo make just a little bit more than the last. I needed to reach the end but feared where the characters were going to find. One Good Thing is a worthy follow up to We Were The Lucky Ones.
Just when I thought I couldn't read another book about WWII, this one captured my heart. Not only does one get a sense of place, but also can feel so strongly about these two young women. I couldn't put it down and highly recommend this tragic and heartwarming novel.
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