Review of Letters from the Olive Tree
Posted: 13 May 2025, 08:52
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Letters from the Olive Tree" by Reese Balducci.]
Giovanni Olivi was his parents' second son. This meant that his older brother, Angelo, would inherit their father's estate even when such matters were left unspoken. This land held memories for Giovanni: the time with his family, the time spent in the fields, and, most of all, the time spent with his lover, Ersilia Innocenti. However, Giovanni wanted a life, something of his own, and the letter from Michele, his childhood friend in Brooklyn, was a turning point. He had to leave Pistoia, Tuscany, for America, but not before he made a promise to the woman he adored. But was a mere promise strong enough to keep them together?
Letters from the Olive Tree by Reese Balducci is set in the early 20th century. It is a short story that is slow and subtle. In the first few pages, the author eases the reader into the different relationships and the environment. It is easy to see that the Olivi family valued their land. They were rooted in tradition and appreciated the beauty of their country. Giovanni's move to America depicts the difference between the two worlds, how the people lived, and even how the streets looked.
The book is a clean romance, with no erotic scenes. It is the kind of love that makes you nostalgic and gives you a longing to experience it. Giovanni, the main character, is my favorite of all the characters.
Though the story unfolds slowly and subtly, as already mentioned, its narrative moves quickly through key moments, giving readers a sense of emotional urgency. The story moves from the peaceful and mostly silent life of the Olivi family, the condition of the olive estates in different seasons, how the farmers struggled to cope, and the lives of the families around (including the Olivi and the Innocenti families) to the vast American fields that evoke despair while still creating a touching love story.
Between the rolling hills and the olive estates in Tuscany and the plantations in America, I have no hesitation in giving Letters from the Olive Tree by Reese Balducci a perfect 5 out of 5 rating. I have nothing to complain about. The plot and the writing are both immaculate. My only wish would have been for the story to be longer, but I cannot hold it against the author for writing a perfect story I did not want to stop reading.
I recommend this book to all who adore Tuscan romance. Reese Balducci's writing is peaceful and sentimental. If you do not read romance stories, this tale might be the one that makes you sink into a new genre.
******
Letters from the Olive Tree
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Giovanni Olivi was his parents' second son. This meant that his older brother, Angelo, would inherit their father's estate even when such matters were left unspoken. This land held memories for Giovanni: the time with his family, the time spent in the fields, and, most of all, the time spent with his lover, Ersilia Innocenti. However, Giovanni wanted a life, something of his own, and the letter from Michele, his childhood friend in Brooklyn, was a turning point. He had to leave Pistoia, Tuscany, for America, but not before he made a promise to the woman he adored. But was a mere promise strong enough to keep them together?
Letters from the Olive Tree by Reese Balducci is set in the early 20th century. It is a short story that is slow and subtle. In the first few pages, the author eases the reader into the different relationships and the environment. It is easy to see that the Olivi family valued their land. They were rooted in tradition and appreciated the beauty of their country. Giovanni's move to America depicts the difference between the two worlds, how the people lived, and even how the streets looked.
The book is a clean romance, with no erotic scenes. It is the kind of love that makes you nostalgic and gives you a longing to experience it. Giovanni, the main character, is my favorite of all the characters.
Though the story unfolds slowly and subtly, as already mentioned, its narrative moves quickly through key moments, giving readers a sense of emotional urgency. The story moves from the peaceful and mostly silent life of the Olivi family, the condition of the olive estates in different seasons, how the farmers struggled to cope, and the lives of the families around (including the Olivi and the Innocenti families) to the vast American fields that evoke despair while still creating a touching love story.
Between the rolling hills and the olive estates in Tuscany and the plantations in America, I have no hesitation in giving Letters from the Olive Tree by Reese Balducci a perfect 5 out of 5 rating. I have nothing to complain about. The plot and the writing are both immaculate. My only wish would have been for the story to be longer, but I cannot hold it against the author for writing a perfect story I did not want to stop reading.
I recommend this book to all who adore Tuscan romance. Reese Balducci's writing is peaceful and sentimental. If you do not read romance stories, this tale might be the one that makes you sink into a new genre.
******
Letters from the Olive Tree
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon