Il paradiso delle signore

I watched some of the BBC's 'The Paradise' and didn't really care for it. So I'm not sure why I decided to give the Italian version on Acorn TV a try but I'm glad I did. I loved the characters, the clothes, the cars, the city and the drama of 'The Ladies Paradise'.

Note - my rating is based on the first 2 seasons.

I am praying there is a season 4.

Strolling along on a cold night... I found a soap opera in Italian with English subtitles.

Worth the read since I speak some Spanish and it is a close language.

I am an American/Texan and loved my young life visiting Italy.

I adore the old school vibe which shows the writers creativity. The artistic and creative ways to keep the store open holds my attention.

The hopes of love and help that a few need in the show are clear characters.

I love the torment involving two handsome leading men and Theresa.

Keeping my attention was the insiders vision of business and ex's and new attractions... find a way to bring it all back into play folks!

Americans are really watching. Tired of cop shows here!

Delightful and lovely Italian series that gives a look back into 1950s Italian life.

After a couple of episodes, I was definitely hooked! Cinematography, costumes, characters, plots and music all take me back to an era long past. I now feel like I'm fluent in Italian! I'm just hoping they produce more episodes. Much better than the crap on American TV!!!

This Italian-language import, set in post WWII Italy, follows Teresa Lorio, a young woman who leaves her small rural Sicilian hometown for Milan. Teresa finds work--and much more--at a newly opened department store: The Ladies' Paradise. Drama, romance, and character tension make this delightful Italian series binge worth!!!!

Beautiful series from a more elegant time; characters to fall in love with! These characters are not only believable, but the script is well written and full of heart. The 1950's sets are creatively accurate and the fashion conveys the elegance of that time. There are poignant moments in each storyline where the values of the characters are touchingly challenged. The amount of old fashion restraint depicted in the characters, coupled with the modern time of the late 50's entering old world Italy, proves to add an indelible creative impact on the script.

The Italian society in the 50's is not only recovering from the war, but the largely catholic upbringing of the characters influences, pulls and tugs on each storyline. The series marks a time before computers, cell phones and the quick news of the world -- so much so that you are just as absorbed in their story lines as were the people of that time line in theirs.

If you love Downton Abbey, Victoria and The Crown, this series will add to your love of the beauty of traveling to another time, culture and place to absorb yourself in the lives of these complex and yet characters. Highly, highly recommend.

I hope that they keep their successful, beautiful and heartwarming style going in season 3. The actors are all brilliant, especially the lead couple of Teresa and Pietro. A real winner!