The Paperbark Shoe
Winner of the 2008 AWP Award for the Novel.
From 1941 to 1947, eighteen thousand Italian prisoners of war were sent to Australia. The Italian surrender that followed the downfall of Mussolini had created a novel circumstance: prisoners who theoretically were no longer enemies. Many of these exiles were sent to work on isolated farms, unguarded.
The Paperbark Shoe is the unforgettable story of Gin Boyle—an albino, a classically trained pianist, and a woman with a painful past. Disavowed by her wealthy stepfather, her unlikely savior is the farmer Mr. Toad—a little man with a taste for women's corsets. Together with their two children, they weather the hardship of rural life and the mockery of their neighbors.
But with the arrival of two Italian prisoners of war, their lives are turned upside down. Thousands of miles from home, Antonio and John find themselves on Mr. and Mrs. Toad's farm, exiles in the company of exiles. The Paperbark Shoe is a remarkable novel about the far-reaching repercussions of war, the subtle violence of displacement, and what it means to live as a captive—in enemy country, and in one's own skin. ~~ synopsis from Goodreads
But with the arrival of two Italian prisoners of war, their lives are turned upside down. Thousands of miles from home, Antonio and John find themselves on Mr. and Mrs. Toad's farm, exiles in the company of exiles. The Paperbark Shoe is a remarkable novel about the far-reaching repercussions of war, the subtle violence of displacement, and what it means to live as a captive—in enemy country, and in one's own skin. ~~ synopsis from Goodreads
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This is such a touching story! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA captivating and wonderful novel. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThe characters sound interesting
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ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting and touching book. I would love to read this one. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Thank you for the awesome giveaway opportunity!!
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ReplyDeleteDo want to read about Mr and Mrs Toad This book sounds like a very interesting storyline The Paperbark Shoe..
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