From Sand and Ash

Set in 1943 Italy, the narrative follows Eva Rosselli, a Jewish woman, and Angelo Bianco, a Catholic priest, as they navigate the German occupation of Rome. Having grown up like siblings before Angelo took his vows, their relationship shifts into a dangerous alliance when the Nazi regime begins deporting Italian Jews. Angelo utilizes the infrastructure of the Vatican to hide refugees within convents and monasteries, while Eva assumes a false identity to survive. The plot centers on the logistical risks of the clandestine resistance and the personal conflict between Angelo’s religious devotion and his commitment to Eva.

Readers of historical fiction who prioritize accuracy regarding the Catholic Church’s role in the Italian resistance will find value in this account. It appeals to those interested in the specific tensions between wartime survival and religious dogma. The text provides a detailed look at the systemic efforts to safeguard civilians during the Holocaust in Southern Europe. A reader finishes the book with a clear understanding of the moral compromises required by the clergy and the physical dangers faced by the Jewish population in occupied Italy.