Shattered Stars

I have read this book in 1996 and I found myself reading it again in 2002 because of the excellent plot the author has so brilliantly created.The story started with the suicide of Serafina Cesaretti, mother to Vittorio, Francesca, twins Luciano and Giulietta and baby Giacomo, who had gone mad and set herself ablaze which too, had killed her own husband and Giacomo. Giulietta was burned 30% of her body. The homeless kids were sent to live with their kind uncle Bruno who, unfortunately had a wicked wife, Livia and 2 spoilt children. Livia, unable to tolerate another disfigured child living with them, had plotted a fake death of Giulietta. Each and everyone of them had thought that Giulietta had succumbed to the burns but she was quietly sent to an orphan and had her name changed. The Cessaretti children finally attempted an escape of their own from their uncle and aunt but tragedy struck when they were about to board on the ship sailing to Boston , with the help of their gypsy friend, Niccolo Dante. Vittoria was killed by a truck, Luciano was taken away by uncle Bruno who had meant no harm while Francesca ran away and managed to board the ship to America.Years passed by and both Francesca and Luciano who had overcome tremendous hardships, had finally found some happiness in their lives. Francesca went back to Italy in search of her brother Luciano and they had a tearful reunion but little did they know that they still had a sister, still alive somewhere but was being surrounded by darkness and loneliness. Being a twin to her sister, Luciano is constantly plagued by tormented physic dreams. By chance, they found out that Giulietta was still alive and is now living in England, under the name of Juliet Austen. However, Giulietta is no longer that little 5 year old sister they used to know. The longing for a final reunion with their sister, had brought nothing but a grave mistake.

When this book first came out, I read an excerpt in Good Housekeeping and knew immediately that I wanted to read the whole novel. It's been almost ten years since it came out, and it is still one of my favorites. I've lost my copy, but have been searching diligently for another, because I want to be able to read it again and again!