"Beneath a Scarlet Sky" by Mark Sullivan

Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
Call Number: FICTION Sullivan
Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. He's a normal Italian teenager--obsessed with music, food, and girls--but his days of innocence are numbered. When his family home in Milan is destroyed by Allied bombs, Pino joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps, and falls for Anna, a beautiful widow six years his senior. In an attempt to protect him, Pino's parents force him to enlist as a German soldier--a move they think will keep him out of combat. But after Pino is injured, he is recruited at the tender age of eighteen to become the personal driver for Adolf Hitler's left hand in Italy, General Hans Leyers, one of the Third Reich's most mysterious and powerful commanders. Now, with the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share.

Courage and Resilience: Pino Lella demonstrates incredible courage and resilience throughout the novel, particularly in his work as a spy and guide for Jewish refugees. Discuss specific instances where Pino's bravery shines through and how his actions impact the outcome of the war.
Moral Dilemmas: Pino grapples with several moral dilemmas throughout the novel, including the decision to collaborate with the Nazis to protect his family. How do these ethical dilemmas shape Pino's character, and what do they reveal about the complexities of wartime survival?
Love and Sacrifice: The novel explores themes of love and sacrifice, particularly in Pino's relationships with Anna and his family. How do Pino's romantic and familial relationships influence his decisions and motivations? Discuss the sacrifices Pino and other characters make for the ones they love.
Historical Accuracy: "Beneath a Scarlet Sky" is based on true events and characters from World War II. How does the novel balance historical accuracy with fictional storytelling? Discuss the research and attention to detail that went into depicting the historical setting and characters.
Resistance and Collaboration: The novel depicts various forms of resistance against the Nazi occupation of Italy, from acts of sabotage to underground networks aiding Jewish refugees. Discuss the different ways characters resist or collaborate with the occupying forces and the moral implications of their choices.
Character Development: Analyze the character development of Pino Lella throughout the novel. How does he evolve from a carefree teenager to a courageous resistance fighter? Discuss the internal conflicts and external challenges that shape Pino's growth as a character.
The Power of Hope: Despite the horrors of war, "Beneath a Scarlet Sky" portrays moments of hope and humanity amidst the darkness. Discuss how hope sustains characters like Pino and Anna in the face of adversity and how it drives their actions and choices.
Survival and Trauma: War has a profound impact on the characters, leaving lasting scars both physically and emotionally. How do characters like Pino and his family cope with trauma and loss? Discuss the psychological effects of wartime experiences on individuals and communities.
Friendship and Loyalty: Pino forms close bonds with characters like Mimo and Alberto, who become his comrades in the resistance. How do these friendships shape Pino's journey and his sense of loyalty? Discuss the importance of camaraderie and solidarity in times of crisis.
Legacy and Remembrance: The novel concludes with Pino reflecting on his experiences and the legacy of those who fought and sacrificed during the war. How does the novel honor the memory of real-life heroes like Pino Lella? Discuss the importance of remembering and preserving stories from World War II.
Hope for the Future: Despite the devastation of war, the novel ends on a note of hope for the future. How does Pino's journey inspire hope, resilience, and the belief in a better tomorrow? Discuss the novel's message about the enduring human spirit and the power of hope to overcome even the darkest of times.
Relevance to Contemporary Issues: "Beneath a Scarlet Sky" explores themes of courage, resilience, and the fight against oppression that remain relevant in today's world. How do the themes and messages of the novel resonate with contemporary issues such as human rights, justice, and the pursuit of freedom?

Early Life and Education: Mark Sullivan was born and raised in Massachusetts, United States. He developed a passion for storytelling and writing at a young age, which led him to pursue a career as a writer.

Sullivan attended Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, where he studied English literature and creative writing. His education provided him with a strong foundation in storytelling and narrative structure, which would later influence his career as an author.

Literary Career: Mark Sullivan began his literary career as a journalist, working for various newspapers and magazines before transitioning to fiction writing. He initially wrote several mystery novels before finding success with his historical fiction and suspense thrillers.

Sullivan is best known for his novel "Beneath a Scarlet Sky" (2017), which is based on the true story of Pino Lella, an Italian teenager who became involved in the Italian resistance during World War II. The novel received critical acclaim and became an international bestseller, earning Sullivan a dedicated readership.

In addition to "Beneath a Scarlet Sky," Sullivan has written several other novels, including "The Purification Ceremony" (1995), "The Fall Line" (2003), and "Ghost Dance" (2006). He is known for his gripping plots, well-researched historical settings, and complex characters.

Personal Life: Mark Sullivan currently resides in Montana, United States, where he continues to write and pursue his passion for storytelling. In addition to his writing career, he is also involved in various literary and philanthropic endeavors.

Sullivan's work is characterized by its blend of historical accuracy, suspenseful storytelling, and exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas. He has established himself as a prominent voice in the world of historical fiction and suspense thrillers, captivating readers with his compelling narratives and vivid characters.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Call Number: 940.5472 Hillenbrand
On a May afternoon in 1943, an American military plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane's bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary sagas of the Second World War. The lieutenant's name was Louis Zamperini. As a boy, he had been a clever delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and stealing. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a supreme talent that carried him to the Berlin Olympics. But when war came, the athlete became an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown. Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a sinking raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would respond to desperation with ingenuity, suffering with hope and humor, brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would hang on the fraying wire of his will.
Under Occupation by Alan Furst
Call Number: FICTION Furst
Occupied Paris, 1942. Just before he dies, a man being chased by the Gestapo hands off a strange-looking document to the unsuspecting novelist Paul Ricard. It looks like a blueprint of a part for a military weapon, one that might have important information for the Allied forces. Ricard realizes he must try to get the diagram into the hands of members of the resistance network. As Ricard finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into anti-Nazi efforts and increasingly dangerous espionage assignments, he travels to Germany and along the escape routes of underground resistance safe houses to spy on Nazi maneuvers. When he meets the mysterious and beautiful Leila, a professional spy, they begin to work together to get crucial information out of France and into the hands of the Allied forces in London.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Call Number: FICTION Hannah
Viann and Isabelle have always been close despite their differences. Younger, bolder sister Isabelle lives in Paris while Viann lives a quiet and content life in the French countryside with her husband Antoine and their daughter. When World War II strikes and Antoine is sent off to fight, Viann and Isabelle's father sends Isabelle to help her older sister cope. As the war progresses, it's not only the sisters' relationship that is tested, but also their strength and their individual senses of right and wrong. With life as they know it changing in unbelievably horrific ways, Viann and Isabelle will find themselves facing frightening situations and responding in ways they never thought possible as bravery and resistance take different forms in each of their actions.

*ebook & audiobook on Libby
*audiobook on hoopla
Code Name Sapphire by Pam Jenoff
Call Number: FICTION Jenoff
In 1942 in Belgium, young Micheline leads the Sapphire Line, an underground network that helps downed British airmen escape from occupied Europe. Hannah, a member of the Resistance, arrives in Belgium after narrowly escaping the Gestapo in Berlin and finds refuge with her cousin Lily. While Hannah is grateful to Lily, every day in Belgium increases her risk of arrest. Meanwhile, Lily attempts to keep life as normal as possible for the sake of her young son, despite the growing dangers. When Hannah crosses paths with Mateo, Micheline's brother, she agrees to run errands for the Sapphire Line in exchange for passage out of the country. Then one of the missions goes awry, and Lily's family is arrested and sent to a camp. A distraught Hannah is determined to rescue her cousin, despite impossible odds, before she and her family end up at Auschwitz. It is a mission made even more complex after Micheline discovers that her network may have been infiltrated.
My Father's House by Joseph O'Connor
Call Number: FICTION O'Connor
September 1943: German forces have Rome under their control. Gestapo boss Paul Hauptmann rules over the Eternal City with vicious efficiency. Hunger is widespread. Rumors fester. The war's outcome is far from certain. Diplomats, refugees, Jews, and escaped Allied prisoners flee for protection into Vatican City, the world's smallest state, a neutral, independent country nestled within the city of Rome. A small band of unlikely friends led by a courageous Irish priest is drawn into deadly battle of wits as they attempt to aid those seeking refuge. My Father's House is inspired by the extraordinary true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, who, together with his accomplices, risked his life to smuggle Jews and escaped Allied prisoners out of Italy right under the nose of his Nazi nemesis. Suspenseful and beautifully written, My Father's House tells an unforgettable story of love, faith, sacrifice, and courage.
The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
Call Number: FICTION Rimmer
Kelly Rimmer's dramatic new novel follows two female SOE operatives whose lives will be determined by a double agent in their midst. Twenty-five years after the end of the war, Noah Ainsworth is still preoccupied with those perilous, exhilarating years as a British SOE operative in France. A head injury sustained on his final operation has caused frustrating gaps in his memory--in particular about the agent who saved his life during that mission gone wrong, whose real name he never knew, nor whether she even survived the war. Moved by her father's frustration, Noah's daughter Charlotte begins a search for answers that resurrects the stories of Chloe and Fleur, the code names for two otherwise ordinary women whose lives intersect in 1943 when they're called up by the SOE for deployment in France. Taking enormous risks to support the allied troops with very little information or resources, the women have no idea they're at the mercy of a double agent among them who's causing chaos within the French circuits, whose efforts will affect the outcome of their lives...and the war. But as Charlotte's search for answers bears fruit, overlooked clues come to light about the identity of the double agent--with unsettling hints pointing close to home--and more shocking events are unearthed from the dangerous, dramatic last days of the war that lead to Chloe and Fleur's eventual fates.

Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "Beneath a Scarlet Sky" by Mark Sullivan

"Beneath a Scarlet Sky" by Mark Sullivan

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