The use of imagery is a gift of Pamela Allegretto in her novel, Bridge of Sighs and Dreams. This is evident when Angelina “imagine[s] herself as a cat burglar, stealing [a] work of art to hang on the wall of her memory.” Much of the tension in the events throughout the novel is reliant on Angelina’s lesson from her mother that “to live in fear is to live half a life,” so she experiences the loss of many family and friends proving that her life is more valuable than living in fear of the Nazi’s or Germans in Nazi-occupied Rome. With the major tension of the novel coming from Lidia Corsini, who is reporting the movement and actions of Jews that ultimately cause their death and destruction by Hitler’s ruthless officers, Angelina strives to keep her daughter, Gina, and herself safe while hoping her husband, Pietro, who has gone off to war, is still alive. Allegretto keeps the reader flipping pages as the events become more sinister through the ongoing efforts of Lidia to acquire power and money. Lidia is simply evil, demonic, the epitome of hell fire. The author’s use of metaphoric language is interesting as experienced in all of her characters; one such example is when Rosalina spews something hurtful out of her mouth and after realizing it, she states, “sometimes my words have a mind of their own. They jump out of my mouth, and before I can stop them, they misbehave. I will take those words back, chew them up, and swallow them.” The author gives life to her language as shown in this brilliant personification. The Bridge of Sighs and Dreams evokes a diversity of emotions in the reader as the characters deal with Mussolini’s Fascist regime and the Nazi occupation while managing to live or die with their personal biases, hates, loves, and dreams.

This is a very moving and fast paced story that takes place in Italy during the rise of the brown shirts and the occupation by the Nazis in Rome. The main characters are artist and their families and their story is as can be expected’ heart breaking and heart warming. Very well written with character you will like and some you will hate. I highly recommend this book.

Nazi’s, Fascists, greed, and revenge, “The Bridge of Sighs and Dreams” has it all. A suspenseful story of survival that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I really enjoyed this book that was so unpredictable. Pamela Allegretto paints a picture of one family’s love and hope during occupied Italy of WW 2. A must read.

Really great read!!!! This book develops the characters very nicely and it moves constantly and never is boring. Suggest for all who would like a little history with exciting reading. Love this book.
Excellent job Pam!!