The Proxy Bride
by
Zoë Boccabella
Imagine marrying someone you've never met.....
Publication date: 7th September 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 432
RRP: $32.99AUD
Format read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
My review of The Proxy Bride
The Proxy Bride is a dual timeline narrative with the present day set in 1984 and the historical side starting from 1939 and continuing through the second world war.
Many men who immigrated from Italy to Australia and started farming in country towns had no chance of meeting a prospective wife so arrangements were made with their family back home to send a bride. It wasn't proper for unmarried women to travel alone so the women were married by proxy and then sent by ship to a man and a land they had never seen. This is how Gia and Taddeo became husband and wife.
Sixteen-year-old Sofie spends the school holidays at her grandmother nonna's house in rural southern Queensland. Sofie was sullen and reticent, taken from all her friends in Brisbane, and she wasn't going to go easy on Gia, her nonna. Sofie's characterization was perfect and I could easily imagine a 16 year old sulking over having to spend the holidays with her grandmother. As the two spend time together cooking (all the recipes are in the back of the book) they start to talk and Sofie learns Gia's story. Her life, her loves and her tragedies.
This story was quite emotional as Gia describes her arrival in Australia, how the Italian community were spurned by locals, the atrocities that happened during WWII, the men interned and women left to fend for themselves.
There is also a mystery surrounding Sofie's father, a secret that has followed Sofie all her life and a topic her mother refuses to talk about.
The Proxy Bride is brimming with family and love and the food that ties it all together. Boccabella highlights the volatility of the fruit growing industry, raging prejudices during the 1940's, forbidden love and the strength and perseverance of the women who came to call Australia home.
There is much to love in Zoë Boccabella's latest novel.
My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
About the author
Zoë Boccabella is an Australian author who writes fiction and non-fiction and whose books have been much-acclaimed, shortlisted for both popular and literary awards and sold internationally. Her writing is influenced by her migrant ancestry, spoken histories and recipes handed-down, alongside travels in Europe and Australia. She lives in Brisbane, Australia.
I received an advance copy of this book and absolutely loved it. I've passed it on to my friends to enjoy. I agree with your rating - 5/5!
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know you loved it too. It's always good to let my readers know that other people enjoyed the book too. I sent my copy to my mother-in-law who told me that the events in the book were all so true to her memories.
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