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The Proxy Bride

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The Proxy Bride

By: Zoe Boccabella
Narrated by: Lucia Mastrantone
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In 1939, Giacinta sets sail from Italy to Australia. Decades later, a granddaughter discovers the true story of her family.
Imagine marrying someone you've never met ...

When Sofie comes to stay with her grandmother in Stanthorpe, she knows little of Nonna Gia's past. In the heat of that 1984 summer, the two clash over Gia's strict Italian ways and superstitions, her chilli-laden spaghetti and the evasive silence surrounding Sofie's father, who died before she was born. Then Sofie learns Gia had an arranged marriage. From there, the past begins to reveal why no-one will talk of her father.

As Nonna Gia cooks, furtively adding a little more chilli each time, she also begins feeding Sofie her stories. How she came to Australia on a 'bride ship', among many proxy brides, knowing little about the husbands they had married from afar. Most arriving to find someone much different than described.

Then, as World War II takes over the nation, and in the face of the growing animosity towards Italians that sees their husbands interned, Gia and her friends are left alone. Impoverished. Desperate. To keep their farms going, their only hope is banding together, along with Edie, a reclusive artist on the neighbouring farm and two Women's Land Army workers. But the venture is made near-impossible by the hatred towards the women held by the local publican and an illicit love between Gia and an Australian, Keith.

The summer burns on and the truth that unfolds is nothing like what Sofie expected ...

The author of Mezza Italiana brings to life a unique point of migrant women's untold experience, in a resonant novel of family, food and love.

'A deeply engrossing and authentic story, with such passionate realism you must keep reading.' - JACKIE FRENCH

'An authentic and heartfelt read that examines the connections we make when faced with hardship ... It's an inspiring look at women coming together to form their own community.' - BETTER READING©2022 Zoe Boccabella (P)2022 W. F. Howes Ltd 20th Century Coming of Age Family Life Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Marriage Italy
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Growing up with an Italian grandfather and Aussie grandmother, I always regretted not getting their story. I now understand how my mum felt growing up during the war when my Nonno was interned. Mum also spoke about how she and her brothers and sisters were teased because of their father. Although it was tough the thing that the book gives you is the overall sense of love and hope which was what my mum always had. The characters were so vivid and I have clear pictures of them as I listened. I clearly remember going down to the wonderous vege patch with them both to pick and eat as you go. There were tears too as I remembered as Sophia did, the little things like cooking and the food and treats. Thank you for a wonderful story and memories. I would love to see this made into a movie or series, it would be great. I was watching it as I read it. Well done.

Almost my childhood

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From the beginning of our long road trip to the end - we were hooked. Having listened to Zoe Boccabella's other 2 books previously we couldn't wait to start this one. We even waited until we had planned a longer trip so as not to have to interrupt the spell she weaves.

We enjoyed the story so much but also found that having heard her previous true stories they afforded us a familiar lead into the Proxy Bride as we continue to learn more about the Italian/Australian culture. Just like Zoe's husband Roger we half wish we were Italian too.

Spell binding truths & heart warming

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.