Pino Lella is a normal teenage boy that just happens to live in Milan, Italy under Mussolini’s rule during World War II. The horrors of war are closing in all around him, but all he cares about is food, music and girls. That is, until a movie theater that he and his younger brother are attending is bombed and they barely escape death. Afterwards, his life trajectory is forever changed and shaped by his willingness to do his part to defeat the Nazis. Inspired by tales from the real-life Pino, Beneath a Scarlet Sky describes the fascinating experiences of a young man who could be considered the Forrest Gump of Italy. 

Pino seems to always be present at significant events throughout the entire book. He was actually supposed to meet a beautiful woman named Anna to see a movie, but she stood him up, and he and his younger brother Mimo got caught in the consequences of war. Consequently, their parents send the boys to safety in the form of a convent in the Italian Alps. At first, Pino’s inability to assist in the war effort frustrates him. However, the head priest, Father Re, assigns Pino to serve as a mountain guide to help smuggle Jewish people out of Italy and into Switzerland. Despite the looming threat that they could be caught at any time, Pino and Mimo save the lives of scores of Jewish people this way. 

Pino also conveniently learns to drive with the help of an aspiring race car driver – a skill that eventually comes in handy later. While he enjoys his work at the camp, his parents force him to return home in order to prepare for enlisting in the army. Based on the details in Beneath a Scarlet Sky, Pino can either join the Nazis – swastika armband and all – or he can join the Fascists. However, if he joins as an Italian, he will be sent to the front line, where the survival rate is a mere 50%. Therefore, his parents make him join the Nazi ranks, but not without opposition from Pino. 

As one might expect, Pino encounters dirty looks from his neighbors and friends while in uniform. Readers will share his frustration that he has little to no control of his situation. While on duty he survives a bombing on a train platform, but his hand is disfigured and he is no longer fit for battle. Yet, once again, he is at the right place and unknowingly demonstrates his automotive experience in front of one of the highest-ranking Nazis in Milan at the time. Thanks to his driving lessons, Pino is hired as General Hans Leyers’ personal driver. Upon hearing this news, Pino’s family assigns him to become a spy for the Resistance. 

Throughout the remainder of Beneath a Scarlet Sky, we follow Pino as he takes incredible risks to pass information about General Leyers’ whereabouts, missions, and Nazi war strategy. Remarkably, this operation tremendously helps the Resistance turn the tides of war. He even reunites with Anna, who happens to work as a maid for General Leyers’ mistress. She eventually learns of his true intentions but agrees to assist him in his efforts to transfer intel. They eventually fall in love and dream of a future they might share once the war is over. 

While Pino’s story is truly remarkable and deserves to be told, you can tell that Mark Sullivan is telling someone else’s story. At times, the pacing is underwhelming and the dialogue is somewhat rushed over. The novel features an excerpt from Sullivan at the very beginning, explaining the extensive research that went into writing the story. He spent countless hours listening to the real-life Pino recount his memories, digging into archives (which was difficult given how many documents were destroyed), and traveling along the familiar routes and neighborhoods of Pino’s past.

That being said, readers should know that the novel is inspired by Pino’s experiences and is based on certain historical background events – and cannot technically be labeled as “based on a true story.” Consequently, this becomes obvious in Sullivan’s writing style and pacing – by filling in some gaps and exaggerating some events in order to make the story more compelling, the author failed to give the tale the life it deserves.

In any case, learning a perspective of World War II that didn’t originate from American, German, Polish, etc. lives was extremely refreshing. As someone who has spent nearly two weeks in Italy (with two nights in Milan), I appreciated some of the details into what the culture was like and the attitude of the Milanese during this horrific time. Despite the lack of suspense at some pivotal moments, readers will appreciate the incredible courage of Father Re, Pino, and Mimo. Other characters also made their mark in order to rise up against and eventually defeat Hitler and the Third Reich. 

I will however give credit to Sullivan for making General Leyers an interesting character. Some of his actions seem contradictory and confusing – from brutally working slaves to their deaths one day, to saving the lives of Jewish children by taking them off a train headed to Auschwitz on another. He understands the seriousness of his actions, but points out that good vs. evil depends on which side you’re on. Sullivan makes up for some one-dimensional characters in his development of General Leyers. I also found my heart aching for Pino in the end, so more credit to Sullivan in this regard.

Apparently a film based on Beneath a Scarlet Sky is in the works, with the adorable and talented Tom Holland to star as the lead role. While I would have preferred an Italian actor as the lead, I’m sure Holland will do the part justice. I have a feeling that the movie will be a better avenue to tell Pino’s story, but only time will tell. In the meantime, the novel is worth the read if you’re not picky about writing style.

Note: A previous version of this review falsely claimed that the novel was based on a true story. The review has been edited to more accurately describe the nonfictional narrative and avoid misleading the audience.