Return to Paradiso: The Paradiso Novels Book 2 Audiobook
Return to Paradiso is the second Paradiso Novels audiobook, following Graziella Ponti in rural Lombardy as Italy changes in the early 1950s. Its historical setting and coming-of-age focus suit listeners looking for a character-led story about love, hope and tragedy.
At a glance
- Book two in the Paradiso Novels series.
- Set in rural Lombardy in 1950, during Italy's post-war social and economic changes.
- Follows teenager Graziella as she enters womanhood and faces a changing world.
- Unabridged narration by Penny Andrews.
Reference price: £12.29
Price checked: 12 Nov 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- The premise combines a specific post-war Italian setting with a coming-of-age story.
- The nearly seven-hour unabridged recording offers a substantial listening format.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Format | Audiobook |
|---|---|
| Version | Unabridged |
| Listening length | 6 hours and 59 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Author | Francesca Scanacapra |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Penny Andrews |
| Publisher | QUEST from W. F. Howes Ltd |
| Publication date | 5 May 2022 |
What to know before buying
- This is the second book in a series. The listing identifies the first book as Paradiso, so newcomers may prefer to start there for the series sequence.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Listeners of historical fiction focused on post-war Italy and social change.
- Fans of coming-of-age stories centred on family and a young woman's changing circumstances.
- Listeners seeking an unabridged historical audiobook narrated by Penny Andrews.
Less suited to
- Those looking for a standalone story with no connection to an ongoing series.
- Listeners who prefer contemporary settings or non-fiction.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
58% 58% - 4 stars
30% 30% - 3 stars
8% 8% - 2 stars
3% 3% - 1 star
1% 1%
Customer feedback describes the historical story as engaging and immersive, with particular praise for Graziella, character development and the writing. The overall rating pattern is mainly positive, though a smaller share of ratings are lower. This reception may interest listeners drawn to character-led historical fiction, but ratings cannot predict an individual listener's response.
Positive themes
- Customer feedback highlights the engaging story, developed characters and writing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Return to Paradiso the first book in the series?
No. It is the second Paradiso Novels book. The listing names Paradiso as book one.
What is the audiobook about?
It follows Graziella Ponti, a teenager in rural Lombardy in 1950, as she faces personal change amid Italy's post-war transformation.
Who wrote and narrates the audiobook?
The listed author is Francesca Scanacapra and the narrator is Penny Andrews.
How long is the audiobook?
The listed listening length is 6 hours and 59 minutes.
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