When Bone Melts by Elise Keitz Harlow is a book rich in drama, grief, and heartbreak. Beginning in the 1890s in Northern Italy, the story spans to the 1940’s, showing Italian Fascism and the impacts of war. Told from alternating perspectives, readers get a comprehensive glimpse of this time period, specifically through the eyes of a wealthy, aristocratic family.
The Marinova family’s figurehead, Pim, is a tyrant. Previously married to a cousin of the Tsar, he has concealed all traces of this past from his current wife Mary, as well as sons Pasquale, Enzo, and Luca. Their family has governed Smolnek since the rise of the Romanov dynasty, putting this family in the spotlight for their prestige and royalty. Leaving his ex-wife after impregnating another woman, Pim has done an excellent job keeping his messy past hidden. That is, until one day, his former daughter writes to tell him she is coming to live there. Beautiful and glamorous Anastasia immediately captures the heart of her half-brothers, much to the jealousy of Maria. The story follows this new relationship dynamic, one that gets messy, unexpected, and downright immoral.
Amidst this backdrop, the reader is introduced to Franca Rossi, Luca’s longtime girlfriend. Her personal story and relationship with Luca are also closely followed, exploring issues such as women’s independence, the challenges of infertility, and marriage woes.
Harlow is a talented writer. Still, unfortunately, I found this book challenging to follow. While the alternating perspectives added a great dimension, some characters were vividly described while others lacked exploration. We were introduced to many key players, but only really got to know Pasquale, the oldest son, Anastasia, the half-sister, Luca, the middle child, and Franca, Luca’s lover. Given that the book is centered around the Marinova family, I would have appreciated hearing more about Pim’s immediate family, including his former wife and daughters, and less about the Rossi family.
Furthermore, incorporating more lighthearted moments throughout the novel would have been beneficial. Although Harlow did include a few moments of humor, the story would have benefited from more of these moments of levity. A break from the seriousness of the weighty topics discussed allows readers to take a breath and catch up with the intricate plot line, seeing where each character stands and how the story may develop.
If you are someone who enjoys historical fiction and drama novels, When Bone Melts may be the novel for you. Readers should be forewarned to pay close attention to the timeline, dates, and cast list for the best understanding.
When Bone Melts
