Who was Anita Garibaldi?
“Destiny toys with us with both hands. For my sins, I will pay as all of us must. More I think. But I still rejoice in the family she has brought me.”
— Anita Garibaldi
Legend has it that when Giuseppe Garibaldi spied Anita Garibaldi from his ship, he dove straight into the water, threw her over his shoulder and sailed off to Italy.
The truth is far more compelling.
Anita was born in the wilds of Brazil — a far cry from the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro — where the hills stretch on like rolling, green waves. A precocious child, she found herself more at home with the legendary gauchos than she did in the confining world of her sisters.
However,
her ideal world was shattered when her father died unexpectedly. Her mother moved what was left of the family to Laguna, Brazil: a busy harbor known for the unique way they utilize dolphins for fishing.
Shortly after turning 14, Anita was married off to Manoel de Salto, a cobbler by trade and the town drunkard by reputation. When asked about the experience she said:
“He was a nice man, Manoel, but weak. He expected things from me. I knew that. He tried to order me, but he couldn’t control me in everything. I think he was sorry he married me, and I thank the saints that I never had to carry one of his children. God forgive me! That would have been the end for me!”
— Anita Garibaldi
Unable to bear life with Manoel any longer, Anita left him. Soon after Laguna became the locus for the Ragamuffin War, Brazil’s Civil War.
The southern state of Rio Grande do Sul led the rebellion under such grievances as a tax on the beef produced in Brazil, and the abolition of slavery, which caught the attention of Giuseppe Garibaldi, a freedom fighter wandering South America in exile from his homeland of Italy. Instantly drawn to him and his causes they began an illicit affair. Anita left Laguna behind to join the Ferrapos, and became one of their fiercest soldiers, riding out to battle with Giuseppe. However, the Ferrapos lost and with no other options, Anita and Giuseppe moved to Uruguay.
For a time they lived in peace
with their growing family however, war came. Manuel Rosas, the dictator of Argentina, set his eyes on Uruguay. Leading a regiment of Italian soldiers, Giuseppe Garibaldi left to defend his new country. Even though Anita stayed behind to take care of their children she found herself defending the city of Montevideo from the Argentinians. She led a group of women in an organized effort to build walls to fortify the city against the invaders. It was because of her and the efforts of the women that she worked with that Montevideo was saved.
At the close of another war, Giuseppe Garibaldi received the letter that he had been waiting a long time for. The King of Sardinia wanted him to come home. Italy needed him. So the Garibaldis packed their bags and moved to Italy.
While Giuseppe began his campaign for a united Italy, independent of other countries, Anita took on the role of publicist and recruiter in addition to tending to their children. However, when Giuseppe needed her, she rushed to his side and there she stayed. She followed him on his campaign to liberate Rome.
Anita Garibaldi leaves a legacy unlike any other woman.
Praise for “The Woman in Red”
“The Woman in Red is an epic tale of one woman’s fight to take control of her circumstances to create the life of her dreams. Anita Garibaldi is a modern woman in the 19th century who led with her heart despite circumstances so dire, most mortals would give up. Her passionate affair with Giuseppe Garibaldi freed her from a provincial life into one of passion, danger and purpose. Ms. Giovinazzo has crafted a spectacular story in this stunning debut.”
— Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of Tony’s Wife and The Shoemaker’s Wife
“Anita Garibaldi is exactly the kind of courageous woman whose astonishing story of defiance and dedication — to freedom and to her passions — I’ve been craving. Told in her bold and unflinching voice, The Woman in Red by Diana Giovinazzo brings this brazen, complex woman — and the man she fought beside — vividly to life.”
— Erin Lindsay McCabe, USA Today bestselling author of I Shall Be Near To You
“Diana Giovinazzo establishes herself as a worthy new voice in historical fiction with this irresistible tale of Anita Garibaldi: firebrand, lover, soldier, mother, revolutionary. Garibaldi isn’t just fierce, she’s ferocious. Her unstoppable energy propels this novel forward through tragedy and triumph, soaring all the way.”
— Greer Macallister, bestselling author of The Magician’s Lie and Woman 99