DAUGHTER OF GENOA
Genoa, 1944:
Widowed and alone, Anna Pastorino has been surviving on her wits since the Germans invaded. The daughter of a prominent Jewish antifascist, Anna lives a hidden life in her small flat near the harbour ... until an RAF bomb destroys her only shelter. When a Jesuit priest approaches her offering help, she has no choice but to accept. She follows her new friend, Father Vittorio, to a safe house above a printers' shop in a quiet street near via Assarotti.
But the Tipografia Guichard is more than just a refuge. It's a forgery workshop: a key part of the secret rescue operation headed by Massimo Teglio, the “Scarlet Pimpernel” of Genoa's persecuted Jewish population. Drawn into a world of clandestine resistance, Anna discovers a new sense of purpose, a circle of friends, and a passion that brings her alive.
Soon, the little flat above the shop holds more secrets than anyone could imagine. As Anna grows closer to both Teglio and Vittorio, she must confront a past trauma of her own: a secret that might endanger her and everyone she loves.
Reviews and Responses
“I’m so glad to have had a chance to read this book. It taught me about a piece of history which I had little or no knowledge about, the true story of the heroism of Massimo Teglio and others to save Jews during the Second World War. The story is told beautifully—I felt I was in the room with the characters —and although the dangerous situation is absolutely clear, there is nothing sentimental or exploitative in the telling. Most of all this is a story of kindness and courage—a real testament to what humans are capable of, and an antidote to the evil backdrop of Fascism that it also portrays. A book to cherish.” Keren David, author of What We’re Scared Of
“Daughter of Genoa is enthralling and eloquently bittersweet—a vivid historical portrait of the pivotal yet overlooked struggle to save Italian Jews in WWII, and how one unforgettable woman risks everything for love. Kat Devereaux writes with great authority and masterfully blends imagination and history. A deeply affective novel that captivated me from the first page.” Shelly Sanders, author of The Night Sparrow
“If you love fiction firmly based in history, Daughter of Genoa is definitely for you. Kat Devereaux conjures the terrifying, claustrophobic world of those working to save Jews under Nazi rule in Italy so skilfully that from time to time I had to force myself to look up and breathe, so intense and compelling is her storytelling and so extraordinary the real-life stories on which the narrative is based.” Liz Trenow, author of The Secret Sister
“Daughter of Genoa had me enthralled from the first chapter. Anna is a moving and brave heroine, and the book is populated with characters who inspire awe with their resilience and courage. Based on a true story, it throws light on a fascinating chapter of World War II and the setting of Genoa makes it even more intriguing. This is historical fiction that touches the heart, and would be perfect for book clubs!” Anita Abriel, author of The Light After the War
“Kat Devereaux’s knowledge and passion for the time and place jump off the page. Set in the rubble of Nazi-occupied Genoa, amid a group of ordinary people caught up in a war and risking everything to help others, Daughter of Genoa beautifully captures the numbing claustrophobia and stifling fear of individuals under constant threat of exposure or betrayal. Impeccably researched, it brought home to me a brief period in history I knew very little about, which is what the best historical fiction does, in a deeply intense and moving story of quiet courage.” Chris Lloyd, author of The Occupation Series
