One Good Thing Summary – A Powerful Tale of Survival and Hope

Introduction: One Good Thing Summary

“If we don’t find courage now, when will we ever?”

In One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter, author of We Were the Lucky Ones, readers are immersed in a gripping narrative of love, war, and survival set in WWII Italy. This unforgettable historical fiction tells the story of Lili, a young Jewish woman, and her harrowing journey to protect a child amidst chaos.

In this One Good Thing Summary, we explore the emotional depths of friendship and courage through the lens of Hunter’s vivid storytelling.

Set against the backdrop of Mussolini’s racial laws and the Nazi occupation, this novel delivers a haunting yet hopeful reminder: even in the darkest times, one good thing can illuminate the path forward.

TL;DR – One Good Thing Summary

• Set in WWII Italy, 1940–1945.

• Follows Lili, a Jewish woman, and her best friend Esti.

• After tragedy, Lili must protect Esti’s son, Theo.

• A journey of survival, resistance, and maternal courage.

• Central theme: One act of love can keep hope alive.

One Good Thing Synopsis (from amazon)

From the New York Times-bestselling author of We Were the Lucky Ones, a propulsive and heart-wrenching story of a young woman entrusted with a boy’s life as WWII rages in Italy

1940, Italy. Lili and Esti have been best friends since they first met at university. When Esti’s son Theo is born, they become as close as sisters. While a war seethes across borders, life somehow goes on—until Germany invades Italy, and the friends suddenly find themselves in occupied territory

Esti, older and fiercely self-assured, convinces Lili to join the resistance efforts. But when disaster strikes, a critically wounded Esti asks Lili to take a much bigger step: To go on the run with Theo. Protect him while Esti can’t.

Terrified to travel on her own, Lili sets out with Theo on a harrowing journey south toward Allied territory, braving Nazi-occupied villages and bombed-out cities, doing everything she can to keep the boy safe.

A remarkable tale of friendship, romance, motherhood, and survival, One Good Thing reminds us what is worth fighting for—and that love, even amidst a world in ruins, can triumph.

One Good Thing Summary & Plot Summary & Themes & Analysis

Non-Spoiler Overview

In One Good Thing, Georgia Hunter weaves a tale of resilience amidst terror. Lili and Esti, Jewish best friends in 1940s Italy, are drawn into the resistance as Nazi forces occupy their country. When disaster strikes, Lili must flee with Theo, Esti’s son, undertaking a perilous journey south toward Allied territory. Along the way, Lili faces unspeakable risks, but her determination to protect Theo anchors the novel’s message of quiet heroism.

Spoiler Section

As the war escalates, Esti is gravely injured during a raid on a convent where she and Lili forge IDs for Jews in hiding. With her dying breath, Esti pleads with Lili to take her son, Theo, and run. Lili, once timid and unsure, steps into the role of protector. She pushes through Nazi checkpoints, starvation, and endless fear to keep Theo safe. Her internal transformation—marked by doubt, desperation, and defiance—is the emotional core of the novel.

In a world crumbling around her, Theo becomes Lili’s guiding light—her one good thing.

Main Characters

Lili

• Protagonist

• A cautious, introspective journalist turned unlikely resistance member.

• Transforms from frightened to fearless as she fights to keep Theo safe.

• Symbol of maternal strength and understated courage.

Esti

• Lili’s best friend

• Bold, brave, and deeply involved in resistance work.

• Trusts Lili with her most precious treasure—her son Theo.

• Represents sacrifice and sisterhood.

Theo

• Esti’s son

• A small child caught in the chaos of war.

• His innocence and resilience offer emotional depth to the narrative.

• Serves as Lili’s emotional anchor and reason to persevere.

Niko

• Esti’s husband

• Greek, idealistic, leaves to save his parents.

• Embodies the struggle between personal risk and family loyalty.

Themes & Analysis

Female Friendship & Loyalty

Lili and Esti’s bond drives the emotional gravity of the novel. Their sisterhood, tested by war, becomes a lifeline. When Esti is no longer able to protect Theo, Lili’s loyalty transforms into action.

Maternal Courage

Though not Theo’s biological mother, Lili embraces a maternal role that fuels her determination. Her journey underscores that motherhood is defined not by birth, but by sacrifice and love.

Quiet Heroism

Unlike battlefront stories, One Good Thing highlights the civilian struggle—forging papers, escaping checkpoints, and surviving starvation. Lili’s courage is ordinary and deeply human.

LGBTQ+ Representation

Though not the central focus, the novel includes nuanced secondary characters and relationships that reflect the complexities of identity and human connection in wartime.

War and Identity

The narrative dissects how Jewish identity was criminalized. As Lili forges Aryan papers and assumes false roles, Hunter explores how identity becomes both shield and weapon in times of conflict.

Author Spotlight: Georgia Hunter

Georgia Hunter made waves with her debut, We Were the Lucky Ones, a novel rooted in her own family’s Holocaust story. With One Good Thing, she ventures into pure fiction but maintains her signature emotional depth, historical accuracy, and character-driven storytelling. Hunter excels at portraying the personal cost of war—especially through female lenses—and evokes tension with cinematic clarity. Her meticulous research and evocative prose make the chaos of WWII feel heartbreakingly real.

Reader Reviews

Here’s what readers are saying about One Good Thing:

“A gripping portrayal of quiet courage. Lili stayed with me long after the final page.” – Goodreads

“Heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measure. I cried, I held my breath, I hoped.” – Amazon Review

“Georgia Hunter captures the female wartime experience with elegance and raw truth.” – BookBub

“An unforgettable story of resilience. Theo and Lili’s bond tore me apart—in the best way.” – Goodreads

“Read it in two sittings. It’s that compelling. Hunter is a master of emotional storytelling.” – Amazon Verified Purchase

5 Questions the Book Answers

1. How did ordinary citizens resist fascist regimes during WWII?
   Through forgery, secrecy, and extraordinary bravery in everyday actions.

2. What happens when motherhood is a choice rather than a birthright?
   Lili shows that care and sacrifice define motherhood more than biology.

3. How do friendships survive trauma?
   Esti and Lili’s bond is a testament to love that transcends fear.

4. What does survival look like off the battlefield?
   Hiding, running, and enduring emotional battles are just as heroic.

5. Why does one small act matter?
   Because one good thing—like saving a child—can be enough to keep hope alive.

Conclusion

One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter is more than historical fiction—it’s a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. Through the lens of Lili’s journey, readers confront the horrors of war and the quiet acts of resistance that offer light in the darkness. This One Good Thing Summary underscores that amid devastation, courage, friendship, and love can endure.

Ready to be moved? Add One Good Thing to your reading list, and let its message of survival through love leave a lasting imprint on your heart.