Summary
“Every Time We Say Goodbye” by Natalie Jenner is a historical fiction novel set in 1955. The story follows Vivien Lowry, a playwright whose latest play receives harsh reviews, jeopardizing her career. At the suggestion of her friend, Peggy Guggenheim, Vivien takes a job as a script doctor in Rome’s Cinecitta Studios. There, she encounters a vibrant movie-making scene and grapples with the truth about her deceased fiancé from World War II. The novel explores trauma, hope, and renewal, with both real and imaginary characters. It’s a brilliant exploration of love, art, and memory1. Additionally, there’s another book titled “Every Time We Say Goodbye” by Jamie Zeppa, which delves into themes of leaving, absence, and connections between family members2.
Main Character
The main character in “Every Time We Say Goodbye” by Natalie Jenner is Vivien Lowry. She’s a playwright who faces professional challenges after her latest play receives harsh reviews. Vivien embarks on a journey to Rome’s Cinecitta Studios, where she works as a script doctor and encounters a vibrant movie-making scene. Throughout the novel, Vivien grapples with the truth about her deceased fiancé from World War II, exploring themes of trauma, hope, and renewal.
Plot
“Every Time We Say Goodbye” is a 1986 American drama film starring Tom Hanks and Cristina Marsillach. The story revolves around Lieutenant David Bradley, an American pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Jerusalem. There, he meets Sarah Perrara, a serene girl of Spanish Jewish descent. Despite their attraction, their diverse backgrounds create challenges, especially since Sarah’s family strongly disapproves of their relationship. The film beautifully explores themes of forbidden love, cultural differences, and the choice between human feelings and tradition1.
Setting
“Every Time We Say Goodbye” by Natalie Jenner is predominantly set in Rome in 1955. The story follows Vivian, a character from “The Bloomsbury Girls,” who embarks on a journey to Italy. Her purpose is twofold: to search for answers about her missing fiancé and to escape the harsh reviews from her latest play. The novel beautifully captures the atmosphere of post-war Rome and the complexities of love and self-discovery.
Theme
“Every Time We Say Goodbye” explores themes of forbidden love, religious and cultural differences, and the sacrifices made in the face of human prejudice. The story beautifully captures the complexities of relationships and the challenges posed by diverse backgrounds.
Conclusion
In the 1986 American drama film “Every Time We Say Goodbye,” Lieutenant David Bradley, an American pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II, falls in love with Sarah Perrara, a girl from a Sephardic Jewish family in Jerusalem. Despite their diverse backgrounds and religious differences, their attraction leads to a forbidden love. The film beautifully captures the complexities of their relationship and the challenges they face1.
