TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2009 — “The Lanzis: The Boundless Shades of Life,” by author Giancarlo Gabbrielli (published by iUniverse), is the sweeping tale of a family set against the backdrop of two wars: the Great War, the rise of Fascism, and finally the specter of WWII.
This gripping story begins in the tranquil town of San Dona, just north of Venice, where Roberto and Luisa live with their two sons. Their eldest son Riccardo, just nineteen, is at the front, defending his country. His parents are proud of him, but constantly fear for his life.
In 1924 the family settles in Tuscany, where Riccardo meets a charming Tuscan girl. He falls in love, marries her and they have a child whom they name “Roberto,” after the now-deceased grandfather. The family resists the pressure of the autocratic Regime and remains faithfully anchored to their principles. In 1939, another, even more terrible conflict explodes in Europe. Italy enters the war in 1941, and Riccardo, though against violence and the Regime, finds himself involved in another war, this time in Africa.
The fighting eventually engulfs Italy and, in the summer of 1944, reaches the banks of the Arno River, near Florence. The Lanzis are entrapped in German-held territory - harassed by SS storm troops on the ground, and bombarded by American planes from the air. They escape to the countryside, but they are pursued by even greater dangers. Despite these constant perils, Roberto, now thirteen years old, becomes enamored with a beautiful girl, Lina, who has also escaped to the countryside. For the first time, he experiences the urges of love, and his innocence and yearnings are delightfully set against the background of a world in flames.
“… a gentle breeze blew from the vineyard and the wide leaves rustled, danced and whispered unwritten songs. ‘I’m so happy when we are together,’ Roberto said suddenly. They seemed appropriate lyrics to add to the sound of nature …”
About the Author
Giancarlo Gabbrielli was born in Florence, Italy and later moved to Toronto, Canada. He has written editorials for several newspapers, in addition to essays published by the Leonardo Da Vinci Society. In addition to writing, he is also an accomplished painter and sculptor. Giancarlo is presently working on the follow up novel to “The Lanzis.”
“The Lanzis: The Boundless Shades of Life”
Available from: http://www.iUniverse.com, http://www.bn.com, and http://www.amazon.com
ISBN: 9780595526994 - 6 x 9 - Paperback - 637 pages - $35.95
iUniverse offers a variety of publishing services to help individuals publish, market and sell fiction, poetry and nonfiction books. The company utilizes print-on-demand technology, and is one of the largest self-publishing companies in the U.S. iUniverse is based in Bloomington, Indiana.
Contact:
Megan Leiter
iUniverse Promotions Dept.
mleiter@authorsolutions.com
Toll-free: 1-800-AUTHORS (288-4677) ext.5590
Fax: 812-961-3133
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