Strega Literary Award

Strega Prize is an Italian literary award establish for the first time in 1947. It is awarded every year for the best work of fiction published by an Italian author between May 1st and April 30th. It was founded by two Italian writers Maria and Goffredo Bellonci. At the beginning of 1944 they started a literary group called "Amici della domenica " (The Sunday Friends ) and in 1947 together with Guido Alberti, the founder of the Strega liqueur, inaugurated a prize for fiction, the winner being chosen by this literary group. This is the longlist of 12 novels chosen for 2018. On June 13th the shortlist of 5 books will be announced. #restoqui, #marcobolzano, #comeungiovaneuomo, #carlocarraba, #ilgioco, #carlodamicis, #lamdredieva, #silviaferreri, #laragazzaconlaleica, #helenajaneczek, #questaseraegiadomani, ##lialevi, #daltuoterrazzosivedecasamia, #elvismalaj, #sanguegiusto, # Francesca Melandri, #ilfiglioprediletto, #angelananetti, #lacorsara, #sandrapetrignani, #anniluce, #andreapomella, #lestanzedelladdio, #yariselvetella

A coming of age story

It's my first reading by Genovesi. It's a coming of age novel, as it follows the story of Fabio at the beginning a child who turns into a teenager. It reminded me so much of my childhood years and the beginning of my adolescence. Fabio is such an enjoyable story teller. I believe that we can all find a bit of ourselves in his stories. I thoroughly enjoyed Fabio's relationship with his father, especially the hospital period, when Fabio reads a story to his father every day for more than 2 years in order to help him come back from coma. The language is simple and yet so witty and humorous and touching. I cannot recommend it enough. 

Martin Luther King

Thank you Martin for paving our path!

Maya Angelou

Happy birthday you marvellous woman! Thank you for being such a great inspiration!

A small novel of not more than 60 pages, but a true poetry in prose. A story to read to children to help them understand the importance of time, memory, family relations and most of all stories. I strongly recommend it. Thank you Alessandro Tonoli

Le nostre anime di notte

"Dove sei?" "Intendi in che punto della casa? " "Sei in camera da letto? " "Sì, stavo leggendo. È un po' come fare sesso telefonico? " "Siamo soltanto due vecchi che parlano al buio, rispose Addie. (Le nostre anime di notte )/ "Where are you? " "You mean where in the house? " "Are you in your bedroom? " "Yes, I've been reading. Is this some kind of phone sex? " "It's just two old people talking in the dark, Addie said. (Our Souls at Night).

I've just finished reading my first Harouf novel, "Our Souls at Night", the Italian translation. In one sentence, it's truly and simply an homage to love. It just broke my heart. This quiet story in its simplicity is so meaningful, a thoughtful story that reflects the complexity of human condition. No wonder The Library Journal described his writing as "honest storytelling that is compelling and rings true." The plot is not much to know about. We have Addie Moore and Louis Waters, both in their 70s, neighbours not friends who live in Holt, Colorado. One day, Addie approaches Louis and asks if he would consider coming to her house occasionally, to share her bed. Nothing sexual just conversation. What follows is so aching and beautiful and solemn. I love how they open up and talk about their lives and pasts, their hopes and desires. The title of the book reflects the theme of the novel so well. Meanwhile, they deal with their neighbours and friends spreading rumours and the grumblings from their children Holly (Louis's daughter) and Gene (Addie's son). Also Addie's son is going through a separation and for a while, her sad and insecure grandson Jamie, comes to stay with her. Such a short book but with a lot of meaning and substance to it. With this novel, Harouf shows us how much poetry is it in the everyday life if we choose to live it with a bit of courage; how much responsibility we have as parents, and at the same time how many handicaps and how it's practically impossible to escape stifling generational patterns of behaviour. Am I rambling too much about it? Just read it!