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A prize-winning novel inspired by true WWII events. “An intense, moving book that tells the story of stories: what happens when Fascism befalls a country.” —Esquire (Italy) 1938. Thirty-two countries convene to decide how to deal with the influx of Jews fleeing Nazi Germany and Austria. Good intentions abound, but no government is willing to accept the refugees. At the same time, Fascist Italy is introducing its infamous racial laws. In this new, stirring novel Lia Levi portrays Italy’s tragic past through the story of a Jewish family, plagued by doubts, passions, weaknesses, impulses, and betrayals. Set in Genoa in the years of the racial laws, the novel follows a would-be genius son, a disappointed, regretful mother, a wise but irresolute father, an eccentric grandfather, nosy uncles, cousins who are always coming and going. How do individuals face the darkest periods of history? Will anyone rebel against the spread of violence and discrimination? Will anyone welcome them if this family flees certain persecution? A harrowing story that resonates with special urgency in our time. “Levi has a fluid style and a clear talent for storytelling.” —Kirkus Reviews “A gripping story of childhood during Fascism.” —Rai Cultura “The storytelling is vivid and accessible, engaging and compelling. Levi gives her readers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the day-to-day life of a family subject to the racial laws in Italy during Fascism.” —la Repubblica
A prize-winning novel inspired by true WWII events. “An intense, moving book that tells the story of stories: what happens when Fascism befalls a country.” —Esquire (Italy) 1938. Thirty-two countries convene to decide how to deal with the influx of Jews fleeing Nazi Germany and Austria. Good intentions abound, but no government is willing to accept the refugees. At the same time, Fascist Italy is introducing its infamous racial laws. In this new, stirring novel Lia Levi portrays Italy’s tragic past through the story of a Jewish family, plagued by doubts, passions, weaknesses, impulses, and betrayals. Set in Genoa in the years of the racial laws, the novel follows a would-be genius son, a disappointed, regretful mother, a wise but irresolute father, an eccentric grandfather, nosy uncles, cousins who are always coming and going. How do individuals face the darkest periods of history? Will anyone rebel against the spread of violence and discrimination? Will anyone welcome them if this family flees certain persecution? A harrowing story that resonates with special urgency in our time. “Levi has a fluid style and a clear talent for storytelling.” —Kirkus Reviews “A gripping story of childhood during Fascism.” —Rai Cultura “The storytelling is vivid and accessible, engaging and compelling. Levi gives her readers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the day-to-day life of a family subject to the racial laws in Italy during Fascism.” —la Repubblica
Due to publisher restrictions the library cannot purchase additional copies of this title, and we apologize if there is a long waiting list. Be sure to check for other copies, because there may be other editions available.
Due to publisher restrictions the library cannot purchase additional copies of this title, and we apologize if there is a long waiting list. Be sure to check for other copies, because there may be other editions available.
About the Author-
Lia Levi is the editor-in-chief of the monthly magazine Shalom and the author of many books for children and adults. She has been awarded the Elsa Morante First Novel Prize (1994), the Castello Prize for Fiction (1994), the Moravia Prize (2001), the Strega Youth Prize (2018). She lives in Rome.Clarissa Botsford studied Italian at Cambridge and Comparative Education in London. She currently teaches English and Translation Studies at Roma Tre University. Her translations from the Italian include Sworn Virgin by Elvira Dones, The Game by Alessandro Baricco, and the prose poems of Valerio Magrelli.
Reviews-
December 15, 2020 A Jewish family wades through World War II-era Italy. At the core of Levi's latest novel is a family: Alessandro, a young boy, his parents, grandfather, aunt, and uncle. Alessandro might be a genius; he's certainly precocious, skipping several grades before he seems to plateau. But while he's the apple of his childless aunt's eye, Alessandro can never seem to please his mother. These are difficult years all around. Italy has enacted its infamous "Racial Laws," and Alessandro soon finds himself exiled, with his parents, to a remote village. Then, as the Germans invade, they struggle to escape Italy altogether. Levi has a lot on her plate here: a historical novel tied to a family saga tied to a psychological portrait of a boy who might or might not be a prodigy. Alessandro would have made a fine focal point for the novel, but Levi seems to lose interest in him. She flits from one character to another without resting. That means, unfortunately, that none of the characters really come alive, and we never learn why Alessandro's mother is so permanently disappointed or why his grandfather is so annoyed by his own daughters. Too many minor characters clutter these pages, and while some of them occasionally reappear, others only show up once before disappearing. Levi has a fluid style and a clear talent for storytelling, but this novel, at least, is not particularly successful. Interesting in parts, Levi's book asks more questions than it seems prepared to answer.
COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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