One Good Thing - a heartbreaking story of love and courage set in Italy during World War II.

The story begins in 1940 in the small Italian town of Ferrara. Lili is assisting her closest friend Esti, who is about to give birth to her son, Theo. Esti's husband, Niko, is often away from home, leading the two women to co-parent Theo. Being Jewish, they find themselves in danger once the Germans seize control of Italy. Esti, a talented photographer, becomes involved with a resistance group, fabricating ID cards for Jewish families attempting to avoid being rounded up and deported to the rumored death camps. With their false IDs, Esti and Lili agree to transport a group of orphans to the countryside. Dressed as nuns, with Theo also posing as an orphan, there is an attack that leaves Esti wounded. She begs Lili to take Theo and head to southern Italy, where they would be safer, promising to meet when she recovers. With Wehrmacht troops everywhere, Lili and Theo embark on a daunting journey. Despite having fake IDs, the townspeople were wary and afraid of being arrested for assisting Jews. Some were actively searching for Jewish people to earn the rewards for their capture.

One Good Thing is Georgia Hunter's second book, following her acclaimed debut, We Were the Lucky Ones, which was adapted into a miniseries currently streaming on Hulu. It is rare for a World War II book to be set in Italy, making this story especially interesting. Hunter has crafted an emotional story with well-developed characters depicting the horrors of trying to survive during this terrible time. Although stories from this period are painful to read, they contribute to a deeper understanding of the inhumanity of the Holocaust.  

Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.

Historical Fiction.

Publication Date: March 4, 2025.

Please "like" this post if One Good Thing sounds like a book you might like to read. I'd love to know. Scroll below the photo and click on the red outlined heart on the lower right-hand side of the page. Comments can also be left below.