Watching Over Her: The prize-winning million-copy-bestselling historical romance that has captivated readers

Built around the contrast between Mimo and Viola, this is an expansive story where love, ambition, art, and politics intersect. It is weighty, but the momentum of the characters carries it forward.

love and obsessionartistic formationclass divideItaly under fascismhistorical fiction

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Work Information

They cannot bring themselves to stay together, but they cannot stay apart.

Mimo, a poor stone-carver’s apprentice, and Viola, born into a distinguished family, are drawn together and pulled apart across a turbulent era in Italy. Art, class, love, and politics overlap as their lives gradually open into a broad historical novel.

Review Summaries

Its sweeping structure and the tension between Mimo and Viola are widely praised. Many readers enjoy its romantic force and rich characterization, receiving it as a substantial, immersive story.

Book Information

Publisher: Atlantic Books
Published: 2025-08-28
Pages: 544 pages
Language: 英語
Size: 15.6 x 2.08 x 23.39 cm
ISBN-13: 9781805462736
ISBN-10: 1805462733
Price: 2290 JPY
Category: 洋書/Literature & Fiction/Genre Fiction/Action & Adventure

OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD! Discover the story that has captivated readers around the world... __________________________________ 'Enjoyable and gripping' GUARDIAN 'One of the best historical novels you are likely to read' Christine Dwyer Hickey 'A sprawling fresco and star-crossed love story' NEW YORK TIMES 'An inventive epic' ELLE 'Timeless' DAILY MAIL __________________________________ In an Italian monastery, an infamous sculptor lies on his death bed. During Mimo's final hours, he reveals his life story: his impoverished childhood, his unlikely rise to fame and most importantly, his meeting with Viola, the daughter of a powerful aristocratic family. Mimo and Viola are instantly drawn to one another. Together, they traverse the unrest of the twentieth century. While Mimo becomes a celebrated artist, Viola fights to claim her education and independence. Over the decades, they will lose and find each other, but never will they give up on the love they share. _________________________ Readers love Watching Over Her 'Beautifully written' 'Something truly special' 'Reading this book is pure joy' 'An authentic masterpiece' 'Easy read, poignant'

Jean-Baptiste Andrea is a writer, screenwriter and director. In 2023, Watching Over Her was published to great critical and commercial success, having been awarded the Prix Goncourt, the most prestigious French literary award, and selling over 700,000 copies. He is also the author of Ma Reine (2017), A Hundred Million Years and a Day (2019) and Devils and Saints (2021).

Reviews

Characters - Wonderful Plot -Extraordinary History brought to life. A delightful piece of literature. Thank you to the New York Times review of books for leading me to this one.
Gorgeous, evocative, entirely personal. Watching Over Her will take you places, and make you want to stay. The most moving display of requited courtly love I have ever encountered. Start reading as soon as you can, and then, read very, very slowly.
This is the best book that I have read in a very long time. It is beautifully written and really captures the the time periods encompassing history, philosopy, humankind, relationships, life, death and the complexity of human nature. It is tragic, humous, and philosophical all at the same time. The characters are complex and the story is full of surprises. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
A lovely book👏
An extraordinary and beautiful book that takes one on a journey, a wonderful and immersive escape, to Italy in the 1930's. Written with the rare magical realist style that characterises this most unique French author. I was drawn to Jean-Baptise's work with the spellbinding Devils and Saints and this wonderful novel delivers his unique style again that is so pleasurable to read.