#excerpt The Daughter of Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra
The Daughter of Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra
The Daughter of Paradiso
Italy, 1963. Graziella Bianchi returns to Paradiso, barely able to believe she has been gifted her childhood home by an old friend.
The beautiful house has fallen into a state of disrepair, but Graziella is determined to restore it to its former glory.
Although one dream has come true, life is far from perfect. She and her daughter, Lucia, are nearly penniless and the pair are on the run from Graziella’s violent husband.
With divorce not yet legal and the law still giving husbands ultimate control over their wives, Graziella must fight not only to gain her independence, but also to keep her daughter.
The villagers of Pieve Santa Clara, with their long and loyal memories, step in, and gradually a good life becomes a possibility for Graziella and Lucia.
But when her estranged husband turns up, drunk and angry, everything Graziella has worked so hard for is under threat.
The Daughter of Paradiso is a compelling and emotionally-charged historical novel perfect for fans of Dinah Jeffries, Lucinda Riley, Angela Petch and Rhys Bowen.
Purchase Links
https://mybook.to/DaughterofParadiso
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daughter-Paradiso-Absolutely-beautiful-historical-ebook/dp/B0BWS6S5G6
Extract from The Daughter of Paradiso by Francesca Scanacapra
This extract comes from Chapter 1. Graziella and her old friend, Rita, are catching up after a long time apart. Rita is telling Graziella about her efforts to train for a profession. One of the themes of the book is how difficult it was for women to advance in the world of work in 1960s Italy. This extract describes Rita’s experiences of this time…
We chatted for a little while, mainly about Rita’s plans to take over the salon in Pieve Santa Clara when her boss, Simonetta, retired. Rita described how she would expand and modernise it, perhaps to turn the back room into a beauty parlour. She had lots of ideas.
Rita glanced at her watch, ‘I have to go soon. I’m doing a course,’ she said, smiling as she blew out a long stream of smoke. ‘Well, I’m doing two courses actually. That’s why Dario’s taking me to Cremona tonight. All sorts of evening classes are available now. The government’s having a big education drive, with courses in everything from basic literacy to full professional qualifications.’
‘What courses are you doing?’
‘The first is a beauty course. But it’s not like we’re just taught to paint nails and apply lipstick. Most of it’s about biology, all about skin and different chemicals and how they affect the body. And the second course is to do with managing your business and your money. We learn how to do accounts and about taxes and social contributions, pensions and employment rights. I thought it would be boring, but it’s turned out to be really interesting. It’s going to be very useful when I take over the salon.’
I admired Rita’s determination because in a small rural place like Pieve Santa Clara most young people’s only ambition was to leave and find work in the cities.
‘Are you going to finish school and get your teaching diploma?’ She asked.
‘Yes. When my money comes through I can take a year out and get my qualification.’
‘You should. I was talking to another student there and she got married and had a kid before she could finish her education, just like you did. Now her kid’s older she’s getting her high-school diploma. I’ll pick you up some pamphlets if you like. All the courses are free, but you have to pay for your own books, and obviously you have to get yourself there, but I’m sure you could sort something out with Dario.’ She tapped the ash from her cigarette and gave a little smile before adding, ‘Or I might be able to drive you there myself.’
‘You can drive?’
‘I’m learning, but I only have time for one lesson a week, so it’s a slow process.’
‘Is Dario teaching you?’
Rita laughed, but it wasn’t the sort of laugh which came from something funny.
‘No! He won’t let me drive his precious car, and he says he won’t let me drive it even when I get my licence, so I’m paying for lessons from a proper driving school. That way I’m sure I’m learning properly and I don’t get shouted at.’
She flicked her cigarette butt into the road just as Dario came out of the house. He got into his taxi without saying anything to Rita, who gave me a quick peck on the cheek and said she’d come and see me for a proper catch-up as soon as she could. With that, she climbed into the car.
There was no exchange between Rita and Dario. Both just looked straight ahead. Dario started the engine and a few moments later, they were gone.
Author Bio –
Francesca Scanacapra was born in Italy to an English mother and Italian father, and her childhood was spent living between England and Italy. Her adult life has been somewhat nomadic with periods spent living in Italy, England, France, Senegal and Spain. She describes herself as ‘unconventional’ and has pursued an eclectic mixture of career paths – from working in translation, the fitness industry, education and even several years as a builder. In 2021 she returned to her native country and back to her earliest roots to pursue her writing career full time. Francesca now resides permanently in rural Lombardy in the house built by her great-grandfather which was the inspiration for the Paradiso Novels. The Daughter of Paradiso is the third of the Paradiso Novels, following Paradiso and Return to Paradiso. The Lost Boy of Bologna, was also published by Silvertail Books.
Social Media Links –
Twitter https://twitter.com/FrancescaScana2
Insta @francescascana2
