Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner

*** Review ***

Every Time We Say Goodbye, Natalie Jenner’s latest literary marvel, unfolds like a cinematic tapestry, drawing readers into the enchanting world of post-war Italy. Jenner’s prose, elegant and evocative, serves as a masterful brush, painting a vivid portrait of 1950s Rome, where glamour intertwines with the haunting legacy of war.

At the heart of the narrative is Vivien Lowry, a resilient and multifaceted character whose journey is both personal and universal. A struggling playwright seeking solace and inspiration, Vivien’s life takes an unexpected turn with a phone call from her late fiancé’s family. This summons propels her into the bustling realm of Cinecittà studios in Rome, a place teeming with creativity, controversy, and the echoes of wartime secrets.

The intricate dance of relationships and societal expectations unfolds against the backdrop of a movie project centered on La Scolaretta, the enigmatic female Italian resistance fighter codenamed the Schoolgirl assassin. As Vivien becomes entangled in the creation of this controversial film, she finds herself romantically torn between two men, each representing a different facet of the complex post-war Italian landscape. There’s the enigmatic American film financier, entwined in a web of estrangement with a movie star wife, and the socialist Italian prince and independent filmmaker facing house arrest due to a censored screenplay.

Jenner’s narrative brilliance lies in her ability to breathe life into a diverse and fascinating cast of characters. Each character bears the weight of wartime experiences, and as they navigate the aftermath, Jenner skillfully weaves their stories into a rich tapestry of human resilience. The alternating chapters revealing the tragic story of the Resistance courier add layers of depth, infusing the narrative with poignancy and a profound exploration of the lingering impact of war on both individuals and collective memory.

Post-War Italy emerges as a character in itself—a contradictory and mesmerizing setting where up-and-coming actresses like Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren grace the pages. Jenner deftly captures the dichotomy of a nation in transition, shedding the remnants of a Fascist past to embrace a democracy heavily influenced by a sensorial church and loosely governed by the police.

The Catholic Church’s role in policing the movie industry becomes a thematic undercurrent, exposing the censorship of content deemed immoral while hiding its own scandals. Jenner crafts a narrative that mirrors the societal contradictions, portraying a world grappling with passion, love, glamor, and the stark reality of war’s aftermath.

Vivien’s reflections on the political climate, questioning the manipulation of nations through false enemies and unfounded fears, resonate eerily with contemporary concerns. The novel becomes a poignant exploration of cinema’s power to tell transformative stories of truth, reflecting the spectrum of humanity’s best and worst.

While Every Time We Say Goodbye stands alone as a captivating tale, Jenner seamlessly integrates characters from her previous works, The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls. This inclusion adds a layer of familiarity for those acquainted with Jenner’s literary universe, creating a sense of continuity and shared history.

In conclusion, Natalie Jenner’s Every Time We Say Goodbye is more than a novel; it’s a bittersweet ode to the reverberations of war and a celebration of cinema as an art form that preserves history and facilitates healing. The narrative urges readers to embrace the resilience of individuals in the face of tragedy and strive for la dolce vita—the sweet life. With this cinematic tapestry of love, war, and redemption, Jenner reaffirms her position as a storyteller of exceptional prowess.