Broken Madonna by Anna Lucia

  

Broken Madonna   

By Anna Lucia

 

SUMMARY:

Elena Ferrante meets Bernadette of Lourdes in a story of love, loss and belonging, spanning post-WW2 Italy through to 90’s England

 

Italy 1949

At an orphanage in the poverty-stricken Apennine Mountains, 15-year-old Adelina has only one friend - enigmatic, fragile Elisabetta, 11.

When Elisabetta claims to see the Madonna by the river, Adelina has doubts. But after Elisabetta appears to heal a traumatised young soldier, Giulio, who starts to walk again without his stick, crowds flock to witness the mystery of Elisabetta’s miracles.

Adelina can no longer contain her misgivings and seeks out the scheming priest, Padre Bosco. The secrets of the past begin to unravel, and Adelina, Elisabetta and Giulio each have to confront who or what to believe.

Soon they face a terrible reckoning which will cause deep ripples in all their lives, reaching across the years to 1990s England.

 

MY REVIEW:

This book packs a punch in every way, from themes of fated love, secrets, abandonment, faith, betrayal, mortality, and identity to the multiple layers that generate depth and complexity in the story. All of these, entwined in a moving timeline, advancing steadily from 1938, create a connection between the author and the reader.

The story begins and ends with friendship. Two orphaned girls, Elizabetta and Adelina, forge an enduring friendship because they share a connection, experiences, and a strong sense of understanding. The bond between the two girls is beautifully written, as they navigate the challenges of their circumstances.

‘The iron bed sighed and Elizabetta patted the space beside her. “Come here. There’s a picture I want to show you.” She reached out her hand. Her fingers curled around mine as I perched next to her, one eye still on the door. Elizabetta opened the book with great solemnity, raised her hand to the heavens and took a deep slow breath in. She turned and scowled at me. We couldn’t hold in the giggles for long. Mimicking Padre Bosco was one of her many talents. Neither of us cared for the old priest with his stale garlic breath who made it clear that we disgraced children of the orphanage were not worthy of his attention.’

The story had my interest from the first page and I could not put it down.  It is captivating, engaging, and deeply moving. I think the author was very brave to use secrets as symbolic elements that resonate with broader themes in the story.

Secrets can be powerful tools in fiction. They can make or break a relationship and might even mean the difference between life and death. When you keep a secret, you hold a certain level of control.  A mention at this point, about faith being one of the central themes of the book. Elizabetta claims to see the Madonna by the river and we also learn that Adelina has doubts.  For centuries, individuals—young and old, devout and sceptical alike—have claimed to witness apparitions of Mary or Jesus. Ironically, the Catholic Church has investigated these spiritual encounters through a formal process, yet it often dismisses most as mere fabrications. Whether the reader finds such visions credible or not, I feel this offers thought-provoking, mind-opening and stimulating conversations. The author uses the story to make her own position clear about the hypocrisy and corruption of Catholic priests.

‘As Giulio sat in the church, rage was rising up through his body, a boiling-hot anger he could not control. He had felt it before when his brother died when he had been a prisoner of war and that time at the river because of that same self-satisfied manipulative man, Padre Bosco.

“Those who visit the so-called shrine of the broken Madonna will not be welcome in this church. The girl is a fraud.” Giulio swung round to face the altar and pointed at the priest. You should be ashamed of yourself! Call yourself a man of God? Elizabetta is an innocent child. You’re the one who doesn’t recognise the Madonna!’”

Residing in Italy, I am surrounded by a multitude of personal and lovingly crafted shrines and statues of the Madonna. I am not religious but each day, as I pass by these sacred sites, I can see that they hold immense meaning and deep significance for countless Italian souls. Some shrines are embedded into ancient stone walls, while others perch elegantly on verdant hillsides or quietly sit alongside bustling roads. They stand as testaments to a profound love for the Blessed Virgin Mary—a love that embodies humanity itself. Flowers, placed tenderly at these shrines, convey a spirit of devotion, quietly expressing the love and reverence of the faithful.

In this rich tapestry of storytelling, faith and secrets are beautifully intertwined. Is the author suggesting that belief often hinges on trust? That by surrendering with trust to God and embracing the hopeful promise that faith offers, miraculous transformations can unfold. Whatever the case, the author eloquently captures moments that evoke a profound and transformative impact on those present, enveloping them in feelings of spiritual comfort and a sense of divine guidance.

‘Sister Beatrice took in a deep breath of the pine-scented mountain air and stood taller. “We have known, through the centuries – as handed down from mother to daughter, from grandmother to granddaughter, from aunt to niece – that this river of ours is a source of healing waters. Many girls and young women have witnessed the Madonna here.” At this, there was a flurry of eager recognition among the women. Sister Beatrice hushed the women. “The Madonna has made herself known to Elizabetta.” There was a collective gasp, followed by high-pitched excitement. Some women remained silent, some covered themselves with the sign of the cross. Others chatted feverishly and some raised their arms to the sky.’

The author's characters are beautifully crafted and the intricate layers of the book significantly enrich the story, providing depth and complexity that would captivate any reader. We see evidence of character development, as the author explores diverse themes. For example, Giulio, with his wounded leg and facial injuries suffered in the war.  The reader feels pity and empathy. He has lost his twin brother, his friends and he has lost his faith. He has no desire even to stay alive. Not only that, he has witnessed a terrible tragedy and done something which he feels he must atone for. Past trauma informs his relationships so he goes through a transition. His compelling journey starts with some power of healing from Elizabetta in front of the broken Madonna statue by the river which is elegantly phrased.

“Nerves seized his body. His heart was pounding. Slowly Elizabetta lifted her outstretched arm towards him. He stood still and looked into her pale blue eyes transfixed. For the briefest moment, he remembered the young man he’d been before his injuries, without scars, being able to see through both eyes and without carrying the overwhelming guilt. A surge of energy coursed through his body and he straightened up, adjusting himself into a new but familiar posture.”

Giulio’s story of redemption is a theme. Just as the reader thinks he has found fulfilment and happiness, Pandora’s box is opened and the secrets which have remained hidden for years are revealed causing quite an impactful moment.

“Your husband was a good man and had a kind soul. If he did something like that, there must have been a reason.”

Through the inclusion of subplots, subtle nuances in character motivations, and varied levels of meaning, the reading experience transforms into a compelling journey that resonates deeply and immerses the reader fully in the novel. The true atrocities of war are brought into the story such as the battle of Monte Casino. Italy’s position during WW2 was complex but this contrasts with the author’s depiction of the strong sense of community which still exists to this day. It is characterised by close family ties, frequent social interactions in public spaces like piazzas, and a focus on personal relationships with neighbours and friends, creating a feeling of interconnectedness and belonging within local communities. For me, this is true in the context of the story and gives it authenticity and integrity.  

 

Why I recommend this book.

It is beautiful, realistic, and inspiring. This book is intense, engaging and challenges your thinking in profound ways. The pacing and flow, as well as the sensory details, add depth to the narrative and bring the story to life, culminating in an atmospheric depiction of love, friendship, belonging and fortitude imbued with profound poignancy and sensitivity.

The author is clearly a versatile and perceptive writer, the complexities and detailing of this novel deserve a mention.  It is well-researched and this can be seen from the author's website where there is a ‘behind the scenes’ look at places and people which provided the inspiration.  It is a powerful exploration of faith, devotion, stolen motherhood and the resilience of the human spirit.

AUTHOR BIO:

Born in England to older Italian immigrant parents, Anna spent long, hot summer holidays in the Apennine mountain village they had left behind to escape poverty and lack of opportunity.  In the local dialect, she listened to the stories of elderly relatives about a time, place and way of life that was far, far removed from ‘70s and ‘80s suburbia.

Those voices, particularly of strong women who led tough lives, never went away, neither did the echoes of Catholicism.

Anna has been awarded support for her writing from Arts Council England, and writes short stories, flash fiction and poetry. She is Chair of Trustees of literature development agency, New Writing South, and is passionate about supporting and developing writers

annalucia.co.uk

 

BOOK BLURB:

Published by Fluency Publishing (16 Nov. 2024)

 

OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:

The Lives We Leave Behind,