AUDIOBOOK
About
Italy, 1943. Ambra and Nina have been friends since they were children, their bond fixed by a friendship pact made in the shadow of a shared tragedy. But when war comes to the small Italian village where they live, loyalties are tested, friendships stretched to breaking point.
For Nina, whose brother is part of a secret anti-fascist cell, the choice to fight is easy. For Ambra, who longs to escape her father's post office and covets the luxurious lifestyle of the Sansones, a prominent fascist family, things are not so black and white.
In a world where everyone is keeping secrets and where information is currency, the two friends must be careful who they trust. When childhood friend Nicolò, the Sansones' only son, asks one of them for help, the consequences could tear their friendship apart forever... Amanda and Silvia met at a creative writing course in London. Bonded by their love of writing, literature, Italy, food and culture, they wrote stories as a means of improving their craft and deepening their friendship. They became 'sisters in writing'. Over many years one of their stories evolved into The Lost Secrets of the Italian Post Office. The research for this novel brought them to Molise; the discovery of its strategic importance during the war and the beauty, history and generosity of its people.
Amanda studied Modern Languages at the University of East Anglia, followed by a PGCE at King's College London. She worked as a French teacher and then ran a company in International Advertising Sales. She currently works as a copywriter for a care home in London for older people. She is the author of The Italian Bookshop Amongst the Vines published by Embla, 2023. This is her second novel.
Silvia Mazzola, Milanese by birth, London resident for many years. An art historian passionate about art, literature, theatre and food. She is the author of La Miniaturista (Fazi, 2011), a novel which has 18th century Venice and a woman artist as protagonists. She has also published La lingua nel piatto (Mursia, 2006), Londra e contorni (Mursia, 2009), Mangiamore (Ugo Mursia Editore, 2007). She is co-author of the comedy script The Wily Widow (2017). She guides tours at the V&A, London. A sweeping tale of love, friendship and betrayal against the backdrop of WWII Authors are both based in London, UK. Amanda is British and Silvia is Italian. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Soraya M. Lane, and Kate Quinn.
For Nina, whose brother is part of a secret anti-fascist cell, the choice to fight is easy. For Ambra, who longs to escape her father's post office and covets the luxurious lifestyle of the Sansones, a prominent fascist family, things are not so black and white.
In a world where everyone is keeping secrets and where information is currency, the two friends must be careful who they trust. When childhood friend Nicolò, the Sansones' only son, asks one of them for help, the consequences could tear their friendship apart forever... Amanda and Silvia met at a creative writing course in London. Bonded by their love of writing, literature, Italy, food and culture, they wrote stories as a means of improving their craft and deepening their friendship. They became 'sisters in writing'. Over many years one of their stories evolved into The Lost Secrets of the Italian Post Office. The research for this novel brought them to Molise; the discovery of its strategic importance during the war and the beauty, history and generosity of its people.
Amanda studied Modern Languages at the University of East Anglia, followed by a PGCE at King's College London. She worked as a French teacher and then ran a company in International Advertising Sales. She currently works as a copywriter for a care home in London for older people. She is the author of The Italian Bookshop Amongst the Vines published by Embla, 2023. This is her second novel.
Silvia Mazzola, Milanese by birth, London resident for many years. An art historian passionate about art, literature, theatre and food. She is the author of La Miniaturista (Fazi, 2011), a novel which has 18th century Venice and a woman artist as protagonists. She has also published La lingua nel piatto (Mursia, 2006), Londra e contorni (Mursia, 2009), Mangiamore (Ugo Mursia Editore, 2007). She is co-author of the comedy script The Wily Widow (2017). She guides tours at the V&A, London. A sweeping tale of love, friendship and betrayal against the backdrop of WWII Authors are both based in London, UK. Amanda is British and Silvia is Italian. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Soraya M. Lane, and Kate Quinn.