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Margaret Wurtele

Author of The Golden Hour

4 Works 123 Members 6 Reviews

About the Author

Margaret Wurtele was the cofounder of the Minnesota-based independent publisher Hungry Mind Press, now Ruminator Books Press. She is a former board chair of the Guthrie Theater and Minnesota's Episcopal House of Prayer. She and her husband divide their time between Minneapolis and California's Napa show more Valley, where they grow grapes and produce Terra Valentine wine show less

Works by Margaret Wurtele

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Captures reader from the start. Gripping Coming-of-Age novel of sheltered Italian girl during WWII. Gioavanna has led a simple and easy life until now. She learns much from the nazi soldiers, the partisans including her brother, and from those helping the partisans at great risk. Most importantly she learns about her growing potential as a full participant in life as a daughter, sister, helper and more in this her golden hour.

Its a pleasure reading about Giovanna's natural intelligence, humanity, decency and love, and how these traits impact her choices during uniquely challenging times, and carry through her life. The Golden Hour describes a childish girl maturing through the sadness and unfairness of events beyond her control, grappling with strong emotions improving herself with determination and thought.

Wonderful read!
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Bookish59 | 5 other reviews | Jul 22, 2017 |
There was just something in her voice that pulled me in and kept me interested, all while I had my heart in my throat. Because even if this was somewhat lighter, and dealing with the war from another point, it was still a time where she and the ones she loved could die at any moment. And I was scared.

I liked Giovanna's innocent because it was believable. She lived in a sheltered world, her mother was an aristocrat,and her father had worked his way to the top. She was rich, and perhaps a bit spoiled. The war had not really come to their door, she did not know about the horrible things going on. And there is where we meet her, the Germans come to town, and they are sure handsome in their uniforms. Which led me to my first oh no! moment. Which I shall not talk about any longer. But the war slowly comes into her life. Her brother fights with the resistance, and she learns, and she wants to help. To help takes courage in a time where anything can kill you. Especially when her brother asks her to hide a wounded fighter who is Jewish. Another thing that got me worried since I knew what would happen if anyone found him or her.

There is a light over this book that never makes it too violent. Everyone experiences war in different ways, depending on where you are and what you are. I liked the story here from Giovanna's point of view, because it was another POV from what I am used too. There is also romance in the book and a young's woman's struggle to grow up, and get out from under her parents' thumb.

Conclusion:
I really liked this book. Romance, war and life. I'd like to read more books by her, and as it seems to be her first fiction book I hope she writes more.
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blodeuedd | 5 other reviews | Mar 2, 2016 |
Loved this book. Very wonderful book about Italy in the midst of WWII. Follows a family during the time after Italy allies with the US, but is occupied by the Germans. Very interesting book and I loved the characters.
 
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SilverShrew | 5 other reviews | Feb 20, 2014 |
I call this one WWII lite - There are no gut-wrenching, heartbreaking concentration camp scenes, no in-your-face heinous acts of senseless cruelty but the presence of war is the backdrop for the main story - the coming of age and eventual love story of Giovanna Bellini.

At seventeen years of age, I found Giovanna to be very naive and protected. At first, when the Germans occupied her little town, Giovanna thought they looked dashing in their uniforms. When Giovanna was caught in a budding flirtation with a German officer by her mentor, Sister Graziella, she was forced to do something else with her time other than work at the school where they shared space with the occupying Germans. It was a little hard to believe Giovanna was so oblivious to the plight of the Jews. In short order, Giovanna had to grow up quickly, leaving behind foolish romantic notions with the enemy as the brutality of war shows it's ugly face.

She does decide she wants to do something to help the war effort and when her brother Giorgio seeks her help in feeding his little group of partisans, Giovanna does not hesitate to do what it takes to comply. Under cover of working for a local clinic and at great risk to her personal safety, Giovanna becomes very involved in helping the group. It's here that she meets Mario, a wounded partisan. In tending to him, Giovanna is forced to make some very difficult decisions. Of course, the two start to fall for each other.

" I sat still for a long time, watching Mario breathe. Who was this man for whom I had possibly just sacrifed a life, maybe two? I couldn't explain the urgency I had felt, the compulsion to rush to his aid, the magnetism that drew me then and that kept me now at his side, hanging on his every breath as if my own depended on it."

Even though, this was predictable, Wurtele did a great job in developing their relationship and all the characters in general. They were very well fleshed out and managed to evoke numerous emotions in me. I was proud of Giovanna when she stood up to her father whose ideals differed greatly from her own. I couldn't stand her whiny, self-centered father. Her mother just made me want to shake her out of her apathy and tunnel vision. Wurtele also excelled at description; I felt I had been transported to Italy and set down in the midst of the action.

I think this would make a good book club selection as there are numerous issues that could make for some interesting discussions. A reader's guide is included at the end. Even though this was a little different in tone and location from the WWII books I have read, I enjoyed it very much.
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momgee | 5 other reviews | Aug 9, 2012 |

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