Free (Kindle) Fenny by Lettice Cooper [1930s Fascist Italy Personal Drama Literary]

[ATDrake]

Fenny by the late English author Lettice Cooper (Wikipedia), who was honoured with an OBE and other recognitions for her contributions to authors' rights and literature, is her vintage historical literary personal drama novel set in Italy during the 1930s and the rising fascist lead-up to WWII, starring a bereaved single woman who becomes a governess to successive British expat families in Italy and finds contentment watching the children grow up, though the spectre of increasingly disturbing political developments begins to threaten her nearly-idyllic retreat, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press' Odyssey imprint.

This was originally published in 1953 by Victor Gollancz, and was later reprinted by Virago Press, a specialty press which reprints works by notable but relatively obscure historical women authors.

Currently free @ Amazon (available to Canadians & in the UK and pretty much everywhere else Amazon sells worldwide, since this is being done via their KDP Select exclusive-or-else program)

Description
Ellen Fenwick travelled to Florence for the first time in April 1933…

Following her mother’s death, the prospect of spending six months as a governess in a villa in Italy seems ideal to Ellen: a fresh new start and a chance for freedom.

Juliet, an only child, is delighted to have Ellen, or Fenny, as she becomes, as her governess.

And when Fenny is introduced to Madeleine’s close friend, Lucrezia Warner and their new tutor Daniel, her life seems to take on another level of happiness.

Though she is not entirely sure that his feelings for her are as strong as her feelings for him…

When Juliet and her father return to London, Fenny decides to take up employment with the Warners and even though Daniel’s time with the Warners ends along with all chance of romance, Fenny’s love of Italy and her love for the children fulfils her future.

Unmarried and following a series of unfortunate relationships, she finds herself content with watching the children grow up and lead their lives.

But things don’t seem as idyllic as the farms, hillsides and valleys that surround them as fascism threatens the heart of Italy.

As appealing as the views are, life at the villa is far from perfect….