Beneath a Scarlet Sky

The Best Thing? It Really Happened!

Rarely in life do we learn of unknown men and women who lived extraordinary lives far bigger than any Hollywood creation. Pino Lella is such a man. This story is based on actual, documented events in WW2 a 17 -18 year old Pino experienced.

We are introduced to Pino in the last two years of WW2. As the author points out, little is written in fiction or non-fiction about the virtual German occupation of Italy. Politically the two countries were considered allies, but in reality it was the German Army controlling Itialian forces as well as political policies. Mussolini was under house arrest by 1944-45, guarded by Germans. The country may have looked Fascist to the world, but its peoples were deeply divided politically between Fascist, Nazi, Communist and Democratic Populists.

Pino was and remains an upbeat, confident and humble man. Like most people who lived and fought in WW2, he reluctantly shared his story after over 50 years silence. In the two years he was active, he led jewish families to Sweden, joined the Nazi army as a spy, and was the driver for the highest ranking General in Italy. He served as the General's interpreter to Mussolini, and actually met him on numerous occasions. Keep in mind Pino was 18 when war ended.

The story is as complicated as Italy's politics were at the time. In under two years, Lella falls in love, becomes a hero by risking his life to save several Jewish families, joins the German Army to be a spy, is forsaken as a traitor to his friends and family and suffers tremendous loss through it all.

The writing and narration is eloquent and seemless. This is one of the best books Audible has to offer.

202 of 210 people found this review helpful

History as good as fiction

Any additional comments?

I'm a daily listener to audiobooks while I commute. This book was SO good at captivating me and making mental images that it was almost too distracting to my driving!So in short, I dont write many reviews, but I LOVED this book...the story was great, the narrator was top-flight with excellent charachter portrayals, and the slice of life & time during WWII in N Italy satisfied the history buff in me. It really was as good or better than alot of fiction, but it was all true!

126 of 132 people found this review helpful

Wow! This is a 10 star story!!!

This is one of the best books I've read or listened to, ever!!! I'm so thankful that such a gifted, talented writer took the time over 10 years to listen to and research this man's recounting of his life in Milan during World War II. Please take the time to read or listen to this book, in order to appreciate the heroism and sacrifice of this young man during the war. It makes me very sad, to think that without the persistence of this author, Pino could have died and his story never told! You'll never forget this book. Also, the narrator was the best!!!

64 of 68 people found this review helpful

Heartbreaking but amazing story

What did you love best about Beneath a Scarlet Sky?

The author brought history and emotion together in a way that had me captivated from the first moment.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them, he did a great job developing all the characters into people I cared about. Regardless of how big or small their part was in the story.

33 of 35 people found this review helpful

A Story to Stay in Your Heart

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If someone would love a great story, almost beyond belief, and a true life hero who emerged when the times demanded a hero, then I would say - read this book!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beneath a Scarlet Sky?

There were many moment, some heartbreaking (as a WWII era story, one would expect it) but also hope in the midst of overwhelming odds.

Have you listened to any of Will Damron’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Excellent performer. As any regular to Audible knows, the greatest works are those whose performers make the stories come alive - they go beyond just saying the words and they create characters and action through their talents. They become artists of the spoken word. Mr. Damron's presentation is dynamic, his vocal tone is resonant so very pleasing to listen to for a length of a book, and his acting skills are clearly key to a successful story. He was spot on for this demanding, enriching story.

Who was the most memorable character of Beneath a Scarlet Sky and why?

The main character - the hero of course. But much of the book is very memorable due to characters involved.

Any additional comments?

True stories of people who go beyond what they might do and become heroes when heroes are needed is just what we need right now! This is not a light story - no story of war would be or should be - but it is alive. Very important history.

19 of 20 people found this review helpful

Dramatized true story of Pino Lella

Beneath the Scarlet Sky is set in northern Italy in and around Milan during WWII. It is a dramatized story of a young man named Pino Lella who was a hero of the fascist resistance. This interesting novel is well written and narrated. The story is excessively wordy and slow moving which I have decided to overlook due to its historical importance.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

Just wow. Thank you Mark Sullivan....

I rarely review, but this was such a different, human perspective of WW2 in Italy and showed so clearly, how murky options and people can be in real life. I will bear witness to Pino's story, and remember he and Anna always..great narration too.

27 of 30 people found this review helpful

Great idea, some weak spots, OK overall

What made the experience of listening to Beneath a Scarlet Sky the most enjoyable?

This was an amazing story. The book lapsed into trite sentimentality several times with invented conversations in an attempt to flesh out the facts of the story and make it more believable. NOT NECESSARY! This book went in wild swings from amazing with the actual true story to deep lows when the author tried to invent conversations and add personal romance and drama. Again, NOT NECESSARY and those invented moments became a bit of "you have to be kidding me" moments in an otherwise outstanding true story. The true facts were amazing.....the invented fictional parts were completely weak.

Have you listened to any of Will Damron’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Wonderful narrator. Would be delighted to listen to other books by him.

29 of 33 people found this review helpful

Riveting unknown story

I continue to be fascinated and devastated by WWII stories. this is one of the best. I now want to visit the scenes in Milan.

17 of 19 people found this review helpful

Fiction

Either the writer took liberties to overly embellish and exaggerate this person's heroics or the self-proclaimed hero did so. I kept reading this very long drawn out story but found myself laughing out loud in parts that should have been gut wrenching, horribly disturbing scenes because they were so preposterous. The writer makes it all ridiculous when his 17 year old hero continues to always be there to save the day!

I thought maybe I was being overly critical and started researching because it was just too over the top to believe all these stories. Pino, the protagonist, doesn't tell his story until the late 1990's when every other person who could corroborate the story has died. The writer says he spent years researching and verifying the stories but doesn't say how or who he could have spoken to. Many others reviewers seem to share my skepticism. I thought it might make a good movie but they need to quit calling it factual and touting this guy as a hero.

Pino also claims to have been encouraged to go into acting by Ernest Hemingway and Gary Cooper and tried to talk James Dean out of buying a sports car that he couldn't handle. It seems more likely that he's a teller of tall tales! Interesting too that his brother received awards for heroism and Uncle who assisted Allied forces and they never thought to tell anyone about all of Pino's heroics? And if he witnessed all these significant events as well as meeting Mussolini multiple times, and the Americans knew he was the General's driver, no one wanted to interrogate him or have him testify?

I thought it might be a fun ride for a movie but what if these are all tall tales and a Nazi ends up being celebrated as a hero? A disturbing thought.

20 of 23 people found this review helpful