Beautifully written historical fiction. I found the authors style gripping and I couldn’t put this down making Broken Madonna a real page turner. The plot, setting, and overall narrative is skilfully written touching on many topics are very relatable even today from motherhood, friendship, human nature of love and deceit as well as health, both physical mental. This novel is well researched. I found this to be thought provoking and overall a very powerful engaging book. This is a must for any historical fiction fans.

It was the title, Broken Madonna, that initially attracted me to this novel, closely followed by its evocative cover. But it was the compelling, character driven story of Anna Lucia’s debut novel that really captured my imagination. This quietly powerful narrative, full of love, loss, and redemption, really moved me. Set in the poverty-stricken Apennine Mountains in the south of Italy in the aftermath of World War 2, Broken Madonna tells the story of two orphaned girls; 15-year-old Adelina and her only friend, the fragile 11-year-old Elisabetta. It is also the story of a small, rural community grasping for a miracle as it reels from the devastation and futility of war. Elisabetta brings hope of that miracle, claiming to see the Madonna by the river. Secretly Adelina doubts her friend’s visions, but word of Elisabetta spreads throughout the community, especially when she appears to heal Guilio, a traumatised and physically injured war soldier. Although devoted to her friend, Adelina lives in the orphanage practically unnoticed and ignored, whilst Elisabetta is a favourite of Sister Beatrice, the nun in charge of the orphanage. An envy seems to stir in the older girl when the adoration for Elisabetta appears to grow throughout the town. Viewing Elisabetta as his saviour, Guilio is also in awe of the young, vulnerable child and will do anything to protect her. The intensity of his love and protection for Elisabetta intensifies when he is confronted with his past. As Adelina’s doubts grow, she seeks out Padre Bosco, the local priest to confess. But rather than punishing her for her sins, Padre Bosco praises Adelina for confiding her misgivings about Elisabetta’s visions. Many in the local community, including Guilio and Sister Beatrice do not trust the priest. And so sets in motion an unravelling of deep hidden secrets which will impact on Adelina, Elisabetta and Guilio for the rest of their lives. Broken Madonna is a beautifully haunting novel that explores a wide range of themes such as power, corruption, betrayal, love, friendship and loyalty. It poignancy really struck me, as did its characters. The portrayal of strength in many of the characters is emotional and evident. This is also true for the characters that had a minor role to play in the plot, such as Signora Rossi whose very personal and brief disclosure to Adelina is a story in itself.

What an emotional read. From an orphanage in the poverty-stricken Apennine Mountains of Italy in 1949, to both Italy and England in 1999, this book will leave you in tears, at least it did me. Adelina, aged 15 and 11-year-old Elizabetta are best friends. Fragile and deeply religious, Elizabetta looks to Adelina for support. When Elizabetta claims to see the Madonna by the River Mollarino, Adelina is sceptical. She thinks her friend is too easily overcome with emotion. But when injured soldier Giulio is ‘healed’, the whole town flocks to see her. She becomes known as The Barefoot Flower Girl of Atina. Her fame spreads and she becomes yet another child to have been ‘visited’ by the Virgin Mary. These appearances are known as the Marian Apparitions, the best known of which is probably Our Lady of Fatima. You might find this a hard read if you are a committed Catholic. I attended a Convent school in the late 1960s, but quickly became disillusioned due to the attitude of the priests. A bit like Sister Beatrice who believed women were the way forward for the church. Our nuns, unfortunately, were not so forward thinking. The power of the Church in Italy at that time was total, and many men of the cloth like Padre Bosco were giddy with power, yet repulsively obsequious in the company of their superiors. It’s quite disturbing to observe. I adored this book and I loved Adelina and her enquiring mind. Elizabetta’s unquestioning faith is hard to stomach at times, and even though Sister Beatrice is a strong woman, she is still spiteful towards Adelina, rapping her over the knuckles with a ruler when she struggles to read. I became very invested in their lives. I love the cover by the way.