“Nina” is an interview-novel divided into sixteen chapters, a prologue, and an epilogue, accompanied by photographs and newspaper clippings. It is based on a true event that occurred at the end of World War II and the testimony of a living individual.
The main character, Nina Farano Fortin, hails from Cava de’ Tirreni, Italy (Passiano fraction), and currently resides in Fallbrook, California. While she is nearly ninety years old today, seventy years ago, in 1951, she became the focus of national and international attention when she married George Fortin, an American soldier she had known as a child during the war’s landing.
The event garnered significant popularity: photographs of the wedding were even published in a German newspaper of that time; photojournalist David Lees initiated his career with a reportage on this wedding; and cameramen from “Settimana Incom” produced a film to be shown in cinemas. There were even discussions about turning the story into a movie, although the project never materialized.
The event’s resonance did not solely arise from being a war marriage between an Italian and an American; rather, it was the circumstances leading to the marriage and the symbolic value it held. George had promised Nina, during their encounter during the landing, that if he survived, he would return from the United States to marry her. After the war, Nina found George’s address, and they began to communicate, considering the possibility of marriage. In 1951, George finally came to Italy, and their wedding took place.
However, the reality of the marriage was less idyllic than it appeared. Nina had not been consulted about the marriage choice, and her father assumed she should marry George to secure economic benefits for the entire family. Furthermore, George was not wealthy and suffered from health problems due to war injuries. Language barriers and the restrictions of that time made communication between them challenging.
Despite the initial difficulties, the marriage and their life in America brought advantages to Nina. Nevertheless, she always carried a sense of nostalgia for her homeland and still sheds tears of melancholy when reminiscing about the past.
The book recounts Nina’s story through an interview conducted by Arianna, an Italian girl “redirected” to the United States for her doctoral research. Although initially upset about the transfer that might jeopardize her relationship with her fiancé in Italy, Arianna becomes captivated by Nina’s tale during the interview, which delves into various aspects of the past and the present.
The narrative provides a realistic glimpse of the past, encompassing the Battle of Salerno Landing, the post-war poverty in Italy, and the experiences of Italians abroad. It also illustrates Nina’s resilience and adaptability, offering Arianna valuable life lessons and personal growth.
Overall, the book aspires to be an enjoyable and enlightening read for younger generations, presenting a genuine story interwoven with pivotal moments from history and contemporary reality.
