logo

60 pages 2 hours read

Eternal

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Lisa Scottoline

Eternal

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

496

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rome, Italy • 1930s-1940s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Lisa Scottoline’s Eternal, friends Elisabetta, Marco, and Sandro navigate love and friendship amid the rise of Fascist rule in Rome before and during World War II, facing personal and societal challenges as Mussolini's alliance with Hitler brings increasing antisemitism and war-related turmoil to their lives. The novel includes antisemitism, war-related violence, and murder, including infant death and genocide.

Emotional

Romantic

Melancholic

Inspirational

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.4

53,179 ratings

86%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Lisa Scottoline's Eternal poignantly captures love and resilience amidst WWII's horrors, drawing praise for its well-researched history and emotive storytelling. Readers appreciate its vibrant characters and evocative setting, though some find the pacing slow. Overall, it's a deeply affecting tale with minor pacing issues that may deter some.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Eternal?

Readers who enjoy historical fiction set against the backdrop of World War II and appreciate strong character-driven narratives will find Eternal by Lisa Scottoline captivating. Fans of Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale will also be drawn to this emotional and immersive story.

4.4

53,179 ratings

86%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Character List

Elisabetta D’Orfeo

An aspiring author and one of the three protagonists, Elisabetta navigates the challenges of living in a Rome under Fascist control while maintaining her friendships and family ties. She grows up in the artistic neighborhood of Trastevere and works at Casa Servano to support her family.

A talented mathematician and one of the three protagonists, Sandro is part of a Jewish family and faces the hardships imposed by race laws. As a childhood friend of Elisabetta and Marco, he plays a significant role in their shared history and personal dilemmas.

A skilled cyclist and one of the three protagonists, Marco is influenced by Fascist ideology due to his pride in his Roman identity. He is a childhood friend of Elisabetta and Sandro and is involved in a love triangle with them.

The owner of Casa Servano in Trastevere, Nonna is a significant maternal figure to Elisabetta. Known for her night-time pasta-making, she provides support and guidance to Elisabetta through challenging times.

Father to Marco, Aldo, and Emedio, Beppe is a small business owner who initially supported the Fascist Party but becomes disillusioned over time. Despite his past infidelities, he is committed to his family and friends.

A prominent tax lawyer and member of the Jewish community, Massimo is Sandro and Rosa’s father. He navigates the complexities of maintaining his Jewish and Italian identities amidst the political upheaval in Rome.

Book Details
Pages

496

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rome, Italy • 1930s-1940s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.