On the train the whole world was the train.

    No noise from the corridors. The other passengers had settled in. The door of my compartment was closed. The conductor had already been through. I was only traveling locally, going home, but nothing was normal; every journey was complicated. No police, no soldiers. It was almost easy to forget that if it weren’t for soldiers and police, the trains would not be running.

    My papers were in order: Lucia Fantini of Mengo. Age fifty-five. Born a Sicilian. The lady with the voice at Aldo’s. Widow of Aldo, mother of Beppi.

Buy in Maine:

    “The author of the acclaimed A Private Hotel for Gentle Ladies has written a war story with personality. It’s set in 1943 Italy, where opera-singing Lucia has had her restaurant occupied by Mussolini supporters, so local tradesmen and waiters join the resistance. When Lucia’s son Beppi disappears after blowing up a German truck, she sets off across Italy to find him...” New York Post

    “Heartfelt...Cooney portrays, on a very personal level, the moxie and individuality of Italian villagers as they face the challenges of war.” Publishers Weekly

    “The extraordinary Resistance movement of the Italian people during the Second World War is brought to life in a captivating, deeply moving story of a mother’s search for her son. Lucia’s journey across war-devastated Italy is operatic in its scope and intensity. Ellen Cooney has drawn on her heritage as a third-generation Italian-American to invoke not only a country in crisis but its literature, its moods, and most of all, its music.” From the jacket

    “Lovingly presented...Cooney explores how war causes not just injury to the body but more importantly explains how every participant can be injured in his nerves, in his self, in his soul.” Kirkus Reviews

    “Cooney, the granddaughter of Italian immigrants, writes with great love for that land and its people.” The Louisville Voice-Tribune

    “Colorful characters...well constructed. A glimpse of a part of World War Two with which many Americans are unfamiliar.” Historical Novels Review

    “Cooney’s darkly comic journey of revelation triumphantly demonstrates the sustaining power of love, family, duty, and friendship.” Booklist

    “Cooney’s eye for detail and ear for dialogue result in a richly embellished tapestry...Lambrusco, like the wine of its title, offers a toast to life.” Bookreporter

    “This is a literary quality historical novel. Highly recommended.” BookView

    “An excellent and compelling novel of life during the Nazi invasion of Italy..Lambrusco is one of those rare novels, and a beautiful one.” Jew Wishes

    “Cooney’s vivid descriptions of war are powerful and haunting...A stunning lesson on how indiscriminate life and death are in war.” Maine Morning Sentinel

    “A great blend of tragedy and comedy, warmth and anger, love and hate...A novel that’s as much about the human spirit and will as the brutality of warfare.” Nashville City Paper

    “You might think this story would be heavy, but it will surprise you. There is much humor, as well as intertwined love stories. Highly recommended.” Reads from the Field