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Longlisted Strega Prize
A novel of rare emotional intensity, inspired by real events, that explores universal themes of exile, identity, love and the resilience of childhood in the face of trauma.
In the early 1980s, five-year-old Arianna chooses to follow her mother as they flee Italy, wanted by the authorities on charges of terrorism. Their escape takes them across Europe, from Paris to Barcelona, into a life shaped by secrecy, constant movement and the need to remain invisible.
Through Arianna’s disarming gaze, the world unfolds with striking clarity. She learns not to ask questions, adapts to new languages and unfamiliar places, and endures every hardship — because staying close to her mother is all that matters.
Blending innocence and tension, the novel reveals both the fragility and the strength of children in extreme circumstances, and their extraordinary ability to find light even in the darkest moments.
“An authentic and delicate perspective on family bonds and the difficulties of childhood.”
La Voce, Milena Caporaso
Marco Vichi was born in Florence in 1957 and now lives in the Chianti region. He is one of Italy’s most acclaimed crime writers and has been named among the country’s best authors of the decade by the national newspaper Corriere della Sera. A bestselling novelist, he has sold over 1.5 million copies of his books.
Vichi has many novels to his credit, all published by Guanda: L’inquilino (The Lodger, 1999), Donne donne (Women Women, 2000, new edition 2008), Il brigante (The Bandit, 2006), Nero di luna (Moon Black, 2007), Un tipo tranquillo (A Peaceful Guy, 2010), La vendetta (Revenge, 2012), Il contratto (The Contract, 2012), La sfida (The Dare, 2014), Il console (The Consul, 2015) and Per nessun motivo (For no Reason Whatsoever). In 2002, Vichi started writing the popular series featuring Inspector Bordelli.
In the series devoted to Inspector Bordelli, the following titles have been published, all by Guanda: Il commissario Bordelli, Una brutta faccenda, Il nuovo venuto, Morte a Firenze (Premio Giorgio Scerbanenco – La Stampa 2009 for the best Italian noir), La forza del destino, Fantasmi del passato, Nel più bel sogno and L’anno dei misteri.
He is the editor of two collections of short stories, two graphic novels and has also written screenplays, music lyrics and radio scripts. He supports and works with several humanitarian projects.
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