'The struggles of both Marianna and Simone with their own consciences, with their nearest and dearest and with what they feel is most likely to make them happy are what this book is about and Deledda tells her story very well. We can sympathise with Marianna and Simone while recognising, even if not agreeing with the opposing view, even if this is set well over a hundred years ago in a society with different mores from ours.' John Alvey in The Modern Novel 'Richly imagined and uncompromising in its powerful descriptions, Marianna Sirca is an engrossing novel that vividly evokes a time and place far removed from the modern world. It left me curious to read more of Deledda's extensive body of work.' Aneesa Abbas Higgins in The Riveter