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The Keeper of Lost Art
The Keeper of Lost Art: A Novel | Laura Morelli
2 posts | 1 read | 1 to read
During World War II, a girl makes an unbreakable connection with a boy sheltering in her family's Tuscan villa, where the treasures of the Uffizi Galleries are hidden. A moving coming-of-age story about the power of art in wartime, based on true events. As Allied bombs rain down on Torino in the autumn of 1942, Stella Costa's mother sends her to safety with distant relatives in a Tuscan villa. There, Stella finds her family tasked with a great responsibility: hiding nearly 300 priceless masterpieces from Florence, including Botticelli's famous Primavera. With the arrival of German troops imminent, Stella finds herself a stranger in her family's villa and she struggles to understand why her aunt doesn't like her. She knows it has something to do with her parents--and the fact that her father, who is currently fighting at the front, has been largely absent from her life. When a wave of refugees seeks shelter in the villa, Stella befriends Sandro, an orphaned boy with remarkable artistic talent. Amid the growing threats, Sandro and Stella take refuge in the villa's "treasure room," where the paintings are hidden. There, Botticelli's masterpiece and other works of art become a solace, an inspiration, and the glue that bonds Stella and Sandro as the dangers grow. A troop of German soldiers requisitions the villa and puts everyone to forced labor. Now, with the villa full of German soldiers, refugees, a secret guest, and hundreds of priceless treasures, no one knows who will emerge unscathed, and whether the paintings will be taken as spoils or become unintended casualties. Inspired by the incredible true story of a single Tuscan villa used as a hiding place for the treasures of Florentine art during World War II, The Keeper of Lost Art takes readers on a breathtaking journey into one of the darkest chapters of Italy's history, highlighting the incredible courage of everyday people to protect some of the most important works of art in western civilization.
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MonicaLoves2Read
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I have a problem when I read a historical fiction novel, I always go down a rabbit hole. The Keeper of Lost Art was no different. Morelli wrote about something I knew little about. During WWII, the museums in Florence, Italy moved the most valuable artworks to villas in the countryside.

Morelli based her story on a real villa (though she changed the name) and the caretaker. She tells this amazing story through the eyes of Stella, ⬇️

MonicaLoves2Read an adolescent, sent to the countryside for safety. Morelli covers the years 1942-1944.

It was a slow start to me, but I was soon engrossed in the book. Morelli grew all of her characters throughout the book. Her description of the villas, village, and surrounding areas made me feel like I was in Tuscany. I recommend this book. If you enjoy historical fiction, grab it in April when it comes out.

I won this ARC through a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks to Goodreads, William Morrow, and Laura Morelli for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

? Happy Reading ? #Read2025 #Alphabetchallenge2025 (K) #DecadesChallenge (1940's) #BookSpinBingo #ISpyBingo Red Title, Brown Hair, Windows, "Author of "
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inthegreensandblues I love it when a book keeps sending me to Google 😊 3w
MonicaLoves2Read @inthegreensandblues I always go down the rabbit hole when I read historical fiction, but I learn things, so that's good 😊 3w
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During WWII, a girl makes an unbreakable connection with a boy sheltering in her family's Tuscan villa, where the treasures of the Uffizi Galleries are hidden. A moving coming of age story about the power of art in wartime. Based on true events.