LA LEVATRICE – THE MIDWIFE

LA LEVATRICE – THE MIDWIFE

Jan 10, 2026 | BOOKS

I am very grateful to Monica for reading La Levatrice by Bibbiana Cau, published by Nord. 

The author, who has a rather unusual name, is making her literary debut, but above all she has worked for many years as a midwife.

In my opinion, this aspect emerges loud and clear from the book, not so much because of her knowledge of the subject, but because of her sensitive view of the value of life.

The surname, on the other hand, takes us straight to Sardinia, transporting us back in time but also into the precious and spontaneous nature, rich in characteristic scents, flowers, and plants.

La Levatrice shows us the side of war that no one ever wants to show.

La Levatrice also shows us the condition of women and the contrast between opposing and antagonistic positions composed of ambivalence made up of dark sides and a thirst for justice at the same time.

The sad common denominator: the obstacles that women, each within their own generation, encounter every time they fight to break out of the confines to which they are relegated.

I congratulate the author because this book is shocking, some passages are very harsh, although darkness can never fall on the power of true and pure love.

There are many reflections that I still hold in my thoughts.

If you have read it, or will read it, I would love to hear your impressions.

Meanwhile, speaking of obstetrics, what have you been told about your birth?

I’m homemade 🙂 you know…

THE PROPHECY

THE PROPHECY

Dec 27, 2025 | BOOKS

La Profezia (The Prophecy) by Andrea Francavilla: the last book I read thanks to Manuale di Mari. 

Andrea Francavilla  is also the author of Racconti nani non democristiani (Non-Christian Dwarf Stories),  do you remember them?

La Profezia takes us into a completely different world: Sodom and Gomorrah.

The story is inspired by events recounted in the Holy Scriptures, within which the writer outlines his characters, giving them very specific characteristics that represent various and multifaceted aspects of human nature.

Andrea Francavilla describes himself as a careful observer of the people he meets and, above all, of their emotions.

At the end of this historical novel, beyond the aspects strictly related to an ancient period, the reader finds themselves reflecting on how the boundaries of the human soul are blurred and at times even ambivalent, revolving around the axis of one’s own convictions.

After reading the extract, my first impression was clear with regard to the vision of a specific character.

However, Andrea Francavilla replied by writing “depending on who is reading…”

This is the key.

The book shows us how good and evil coexist.

Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Bob Dylan

And what are your thoughts? Old or young?

If I say Prophecy, what do you think of?

NINNINI

NINNINI

Dec 6, 2025 | BOOKS

Ninnini, an almost onomatopoeic name, a child, the character described by Keyofeye, whom I thank for the book.

Keyofeye is also the author of the blog Coulelavie. 

Eleonora described Ninnini in her Le1000e1recensione, as always, if you click on the bold text, you will be taken directly to the text.

With today’s coffee, I would like to chat about some messages that particularly struck me.

First and foremost: irony.

As you know, I greatly admire those who have the ability to make people laugh with intelligence.

From the very first lines, Ninnini’s world introduces the reader to a humorous dimension that immediately dismantles a ‘sacred monster’ among children’s classics.

After that, the door is open, and even a concept such as anarchy is stripped of any superstructure.

Have you ever found yourself struggling to explain something to a child?

Ninnini could be the key.

Irony is always a key, as is simplicity.

Ninnini is the plastic representation of laziness and shows us the attitude that leads to any kind of excuse not to do something.

On the other hand, his imagination is tireless, and in reality, the characters he creates are “eager to resolve issues in which Evil threatens Freedom and Justice.”

What can I say? More Ninnini for everyone.

Personally, I identified with the moment when, having achieved a record score in a video game, a system bug prevented him from registering his name.

Sometimes I call it my Wile E. Coyote syndrome, but most people call it bad luck.

One thing Ninnini teaches me is to water cacti or they might die. Unfortunately, I killed the cactus Luciana gave me, even though I cared for it like crazy, or maybe because of that.

These are SuperERRORS too 🙂

But we can all grow, starting with Ninnini, who still doesn’t want to drink coffee because it’s for grown-ups 🙂

REVELATIONS

REVELATIONS

Nov 9, 2025 | BOOKS

Revelations, a gift from Marzia Santella, whom I thank very much.

I would like to share the dedication, which I particularly liked:
I believe that every reader brings a book to life: I hope that you will find something special in these stories.

In fact, I had never considered reading from this perspective: “bringing a book to life”. However, Marzia is right and offers us an excellent point for reflection, or rather, she offers us a first revelation.Have you ever had the feeling of bringing the book you were reading to life?

Have you ever had revelations of this kind?

I would also like to highlight the edition edited by Manuale di Mari. 

 

Robert wrote the editor’s note: another revelation.

Revelations is a collection of short stories.  Stories of shadow and light, as the subtitle illustrates.

The book is divided into two parts:
– useless questions
– ostentatious kindness
but don’t take these words literally.

What do you think a useless question could be?

Perhaps, for example: “Do you like pizza?” 🙂

Marzia Santella’s useless questions are of a different kind; they are questions that take on a life of their own and are embodied in the ruthless sincerity of the protagonists.

As for ostentatious kindness, especially these days, I think we could fill an entire encyclopaedia with examples of the terrible humanity that surrounds us every day. Would you like to start?

THE HOUSEKEEPER

THE HOUSEKEEPER

Oct 12, 2025 | BOOKS

I finally read La governante (The Housekeeper) by Csaba Dalla Zorza, published by Marsilio, thanks to Tania.

I was really very curious.

I have been following Csaba Dalla Zorza since the days of Il mondo di Csaba – Csaba’s world because her style struck me immediately.

After many cookery and lifestyle books, La governante is her first novel and, contrary to what we might assume, it is the fulfilment of a long-held dream. 

She herself has stated several times that she would love to work as a housekeeper, so it is natural to assume that the book is not only the fulfilment of a desire, but also the story of it.

In reality, this is not exactly the case.

While reading, I had a constant feeling that I was visualising Csaba removing a long series of pebbles from a pair of suede Mary Janes in autumn colours.

Have you ever expressed discomfort, vented your feelings, or lifted a weight off your shoulders?

How did you communicate?

Another perception I had was a sort of disbelief regarding the acknowledgements page, because while reading I had the impression that The Housekeeper was the result of deep but individual commitment.

La governante is undoubtedly a celebration of perfection personified.

But… ‘perfect people don’t fight, don’t lie, don’t make mistakes and don’t exist.’

Apparently Aristotle hadn’t read La governante…

Joking aside, perhaps I’m just jealous, since I’m drowning in my multitude of flaws, but doesn’t too much perfection risk becoming tiresome?

THE WEDDING PEOPLE

THE WEDDING PEOPLE

Sep 28, 2025 | BOOKS

The wedding people, published by Bollati Boringhieri, is another book I read thanks to Monica.

The author is Alison Espach, who is also a Vogue writer.

The story takes place in a hotel overlooking the ocean where a wedding lasting several days has been organised. During this time, the protagonist finds herself interacting with the bride and, consequently, with the diverse group of guests: people who are very different from each other but forced together for the event.

Would you like to attend a wedding that lasts several days?

Do you like weddings?

How long would you like your ideal wedding to last?

The story told in the book emphasises how even the most meticulous planning can always involve a degree of variability.

How do you deal with unpredictability?

Do you hate it when things don’t go as you expected, or do you love the surprises that fate throws at you?

And how can there be magic in a bad moment?

First of all, it’s an extremely positive point of view.

You would tend to think:

1. The magic of bad moments: great! I want to find out and understand.

2. The magic of bad moments: absurd, it’s nonsense.

On page 122, coffee is mentioned with particular reference to the so-called coffee distributors but above all to black coffee.

La magia dei momenti no

‘Do you take your coffee black?’ Lila picks up the phone.

‘Milk and sugar,’ replies Phoebe.

“Thank God. People who drink black coffee are so pretentious, you know? Like Marla this morning: ‘Oh no, no, I don’t put anything in my coffee. I like it black, thank you. Well, excuse me, but I happen to be a human being and I appreciate sugar.”

Are you more like Marla or Lila?

Are you a human being and do you appreciate sugar?

And if you like black coffee, like me, what would you be?

Sugar aside, going back to the magic of bad moments, has there ever been a time when pain, an unpleasant episode, a nasty inconvenience, or trouble represented a turning point towards a new and unexpectedly happy phase?

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