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Robert Crichton

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The Secret of Santa Vittoria Hardcover – July 15, 1966

by Robert Crichton (Author)

4.4 555 ratings

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5TH PRINTING THE BOOK IS REALLY VERY GOOD. tHE jACKET IS ALL TORN

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster (July 15, 1966)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 447 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0671642758
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0671642754
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds

Best Sellers Rank: #1,490,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12,728 in War Fiction (Books)

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4.4 555 ratings

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4.4 out of 5

555 global ratings

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Kindle Customer

A Long Forgotten Literary Classic

Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2023

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This marvelous novel by Robert Crichton was adapted into one of the most underrated films of the late 1960s. Although I think the cinematic gem starring Anthony Quinn, Hardy Kruger, Verna Lisi, and the unforgettable Anna Magnani is slightly better, the book is still a pleasure to read and a fine example of what a great writer can accomplish when the narrative combines such wonderful characterization, comic relief, and a potent amount of political intrigue set amid the backdrop of the German occupation of an Italian town during the latter stages of the Second World War.

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PM

... book club read this book and were not as delighted as I was

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2015

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Our book club read this book and were not as delighted as I was. It takes place during WWII so, of course, there is violence. I thought the writing was very good. The book club was less enthralled. For me, it was a very good read.

One person found this helpful

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Certiorari

Life Is Beautiful

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2018

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I stumbled onto this book by accident, I don't even remember how, but as someone who loves wine and all things Italian (and as an amateur history buff), the premise behind the story seemed irresistible.

And as I started to read I was quickly engrossed. I fell in love with the village of Santa Vittoria, the ancient ways, the respect for the wine, and the colorful characters that popped out and became almost like acquaintances to me. And then when the war came, I felt like the struggles of Santa Vittoria were my own, and that's when I realized what a masterpiece this book really is.

The author is a wonderful writer, I wish he'd written more as I could spend many more hours immersing myself in his worlds. This is the best book I've read in years.

6 people found this helpful

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Joel Marks

A masterfully told story

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2009

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As so many others have written, this novel is simply wonderful. There are so many classic scenes, so many memorable moments. It is filled with humor and suspense. One feels one has been exposed to the gamut of life's more extreme experiences (including atrocities). There is also a host of vivid characters, but above all is the character of Bombolini. Yes, the book probably plays on stereotypes -- Italian villagers, German Nazis, men and women -- and how much of this is wisdom or true-to-life, and how much balderdash, I have no idea. But without a doubt it is a gripping narrative, a long and satisfying read.

Let me just note one thing that I wonder if anybody else has caught: The (sometime) narrator is introduced to us near the beginning of the book in a completely unexpected and shocking way. Did anyone else notice the similarity to, of all things, the movie Dr. Strangelove? It seems to me too close to be mere coincidence. And since the latter came out two years before Santa Vittoria was published, I infer that Crichton "imported" it.

4 people found this helpful

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anthony b.

A little too uneven between the drama and the comedy

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2021

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This book might have been better either as pure drama (like a scene involving the torture of several locals), or pure farce (such as how the village idiot is appointed mayor by accident). The characters are interesting, but often too flawed to really like. The backstory is richly detailed and interesting, but some of the best characters appear too little. The town itself and their hidden wine get a proper conclusion but lots of individual characters don't.
One of the most interesting things for me was watching the character development (largely somewhat negative) of the arrogant Nazi officer from contemptuous yet benign, to more ruthless and dangerous, to somewhat weary by the end.
Fans of World War II novels without much action should probably like this at least some, but possibly not enough to buy.
There are sections of this book I enjoy re-reading at times, but it will be a long time (if ever) before I care enough to re-read the whole book all the way through. I' never heard of this book until the week that I bough it, and I'm skeptical about its chance of becoming more high-profile in the future.

2 people found this helpful

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Conchscooter

The Secret Known To All

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018

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I read this book years ago, and now as an old man I came across it on kindle and read it again with the insight of age. A fine story, full of irony and innuendo and and perhaps a little stereotyping, I don't know. Finely drawn characters, the Italians as crafty peasants the Germans as blundering conquerors. The plot? Can the peasants outwit the conquerors and keep their wine?
The book is written in a remarkable style, that of the all knowing narrator but with a tone and a voice that reflects the characters as they are described.
In a good mood this is a romp, in a bad mood this is a cautionary tale, and truth is nowhere to be known. Not for sure.Not even to the Nazi torturers who put in an obligatory appearance and whose work is less traumatizing than the absence of truth.

6 people found this helpful

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Beth F.

Enjoyed It Again with Some Reserve

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2020

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I read this book in high school (many years ago). When I read it again, I was surprised at the detail that I had forgotten. Because times have changed, the book seems to move very slowly, and the POV seems a little odd. I found the violence to be hard to read, but it added a necessary reality. Overall, I'm glad that I re-read the book. It's an interesting read and I would recommend it with reserve toward those who are sensitive to violence...although violence is part of life.

7 people found this helpful

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Diann P.

A must read if you have ever been to Italy

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2023

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Italians are a happy people. If you go to Italy, get a house among the people, do not go to a hotel. By living among Italians you will come to know them and realize the joy they have for life. They are a happy people.

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Top reviews from other countries

Anandajit Ray

Classic

Reviewed in India on September 24, 2020

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Re-read . Fabulous as the first time I read many years ago . Glad to find it on kindle .

Mary Marshall

good storyline

Reviewed in Australia on December 5, 2018

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A good comedy easy reading.

MTG

A classic film that is worth watching

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2016

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One of my favourite stories that has been converted to film well. The film makers ditched the book's narrator which is good (he is unnecessary to the story and takes up too many pages). They also changed a couple of bits of the story to make it 'nicer'. I'm happy with the changes - after all, it's a 'feel good' story. I wish, however, they had found space for a few more of the tricks the villagers played on the Germans; their omission doesn't alter the story in any way but they're fun. (However, you will only realise the omissions and the changes if you have read the book.) Anthony Quinn is, of course, perfectly cast as the main character. I could go on but.. the bottom line is that it's a film you'll watch more than once.

One person found this helpful

Helena De Vroede

50 year old book

Reviewed in Germany on March 13, 2015

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the condition of this copy is poor, it's kept together with tape, in fact it's so fragile I dare not take it with me to read on the train or in our garden, cause I'm afraid it will fall apart.
I'll keep it because it's not environment friendly to send it back to the US.

DCE

Interesting story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2017

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Re-read this after about 35 years. Not quite as good as I remembered but worth the time. A mix of reality and fantasy.

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