I requested this book because I am always intrigued by an immigrant story, unfortunately the description was better than the book. The dialogue was painful to get through, characters were uninspired and was there even a plot?

This was such an intense, brutal story of the love of these two characters. The writing was gorgeously poetic, and it sent me on an emotional roller coaster. Such a beautiful book!

This is a book about 3 friends who meet at an art school. One is a German Jew who escapes to France. One stays in Italy and ends up making a forgery for someone important. The third returns to England to fly planes as a Lieutenant. This is the story of these friends and their part in the times of the Nazis.

Nicely written historical fiction with strong characters and a good plot. For fans of the WWII genre. Thanks for the arc.

This is one of those books that i just don't understand why not more people are reading or talking about this book.
One of the best war story books i have read in a while, with fantastic writing, great characters and a very well done plot!

Be still my beating heart!!!! War-torn Florence, friends reunited, dangerous situations.... what more could I want? One can speculate how they would behave or react during such a scary and trying time, but truthfully unless you were there you just don't know, You can feel each character as if you knew them personally. Freddie, Isabella, Oskar, and his daughter Esme weave a poetic and beautiful story. What would you do to get back to the ones you love?

So the chronology of this book is a little confusing, the triple narrative of Freddie, Oskar and Isabella’s journeys are not as deftly handled as is needed for a book of this nature.

Ww2 always provides an interesting background for any story, Florence particularly well described.

It’s just a bit of a let down as it could have been such a success.

I generally enjoy World War II novels but I had a hard time getting into this novel.
The different points of view were jarring and some trimming would have made this novel more palatable.
Worst of all, I never ended up caring much for the main characters, despite their troubles and challenges.
So, while I did like some things about the novel, I didn't end up loving it.

One does not come across many novels relating to the Second World War where the action is based mainly in Italy. the story shines a light on the not-so-often publicised plight of the Italian Jews. The action cuts cleverly between England (where the heroine's husband is a bomber pilot) and Italy though the twists of the story brings the action to the same place in war-torn Italy. A very moving read. Highly recommended.

Freddie (English), Isabella (Italian) and Oskar (a German Jew) become friends at an art school and it is told from these 3 pov. This made it very confusing and at times very trying. I had a very hard time getting into the book and relating to any of the characters. I love books that deal with WWII and anything to do with the Holocaust but this one didn't do it for me. I don't know if it was because it took place other than the US or in actual Germany or what the issue was but I felt disconnected from the book. I gave it 3 stars as it wasn't bad just wasn't my cup o tea.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35280104-the-way-back-to-florence" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Way Back to Florence" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496332548m/35280104.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35280104-the-way-back-to-florence">The Way Back to Florence</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14050193.Glenn_Haybittle">Glenn Haybittle</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2135294462">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Thank you to Glenn Haybittle, Cheyne Walk, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.<br /><br />Haybittle immediately sucks the reader into the love story from the first: a thunderstorm, a couple drunk and splashing in the puddles, but when it comes to the big reveal one of them fails miserably. So Freddie leaves to fly planes for the Allies and Isabella paints like her life depends on it. For the next several years the two have no contact with each other, which leads each into inappropriate situations. <br />We are also introduced to a highly talented Jewish tap dancer and his family who do their best to exist in occupied Italy. Dear Esme is a precocious youngster, and her father tries to hide the grim details of discrimination from her, but she witnesses more than he'd like. They are close friends with Isabella, so they find comfort in each other's company. <br />Haybittle has an impressive use of metaphor. For example-" The stench from the drain, like the brown water in which flowers have died, is like the smell of her own apprehension." Yes! I know that smell, and calling it up from memory can immediately know how she's feeling. <br />To quote the character, the Maestro, "we've all been in the grip of evil. You realize that? Pure unadulterated evil." This story gives plenty of examples of how the citizens of Italy experienced atrocities at the hands of both the SS and the fascists. BUT there is a happy ending!!!
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6595648-bam-the-bibliomaniac">View all my reviews</a>

Enjoyed this book with perspectives from the Royal Air Force, Italian and Jewish characters in WWII. Haunting scenarios, authentic characters.

The Way Back to Florence by Glenn Haybittle has four main characters: Freddie, Isabella, Oskar, and the city of Florence itself. The three friends meet in art school under the watchful eye of the Maestro. When WWII begins the two men leave Florence, and Isabella stays behind and paints. The city is one that Freddie and Oskar yearn to return to, but the ravages of WWII threaten that goal.

I loved this! It started off slow and I wasn't sure if it was going to improve but by about 10% in I was hooked! I especially enjoyed the camaraderie between the RAF boys and I can't begin to imagine the fear they felt every time they flew. There is a lot of violence and sadness but also uplifting moments of humour and kindness, even in the depths of despair. I will certainly look out for this author in the future.

I honestly could tell by the writing of the first 2 chapters that it wouldn't be a good fit for our box and had to put it down. I may read it again in the future!

Sorry I missed the date for this.

I really enjoyed the book - thank you.

A gripping story of three people, tied together by their shared past as art students under a demanding teacher, during World War II in the UK and Italy. The Way Back to Florence is heart-breaking, exciting, tender and beautifully written. A great read for anyone interested in historical fiction and stories of family and friendship.

This book starts in troubled times and gets more oppressive as it continues, which really does give you an accurate feel for that time period. The characters are somewhat disconnected from each other, the only sense of relationship was between Oskar and his daughter, no one else seemed to be too bothered about being apart or together.

I finished this book and thought there should be more like this. Multiple perspectives helped make this a very good book. You also have people from multiple countries and backgrounds who helped you see more from their viewpoint as well as other characters. It spans almost a decade (1937-1946).

My heart fell for all of the characters. I laughed with them, I cried with them, and I wanted to know where some of them were past 1946.

The one thing making me say 4 instead of 5 stars is there was some confusion on some of the chapters as they moved around a bit. Example October 1943 back to September 1943. The chapters switched the character's viewpoint it was from as well. I think it would have helped if it identified the viewpoint the chapter was from as well. It would say the month and year but a few chapters took me at least a paragraph or two to go OOOH this is a Freddie chapter! A small thing but definitely would have helped.

I am also in love with the name Esme now.

I would count this a definite must read. Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC for my Kindle.
A historical fiction novel about WWII and the hardships faced in Florence, Italy. Weaving Germans, British, and French together who are separated by war and some reunited after the war, this book depicts the effect war has on the people and country of France.
If you like historical fiction, you'll like this one. But be prepared, it's realistic.