FINGERSMITH

FINGERSMITH

Apr 18, 2026 | BOOKS, BOOKS

*Fingersmith* by Sarah Waters, published by Ponte alle Grazie, is yet another book for which I am grateful to Monica.

At the end of the first part, there’s a plot twist I hadn’t suspected in the slightest, so I was delighted to find myself surprised, since, all things considered, this doesn’t happen very often

Fingersmith is the protagonist, but once I reached the end of her story, I’d say that the thief is someone else and that the “theft” is far more serious—indeed, despicable.

Roles taken for granted and surrogates who take on the honor and burden of being the sole anchor of affection to cling to in a sea of loneliness and pain.

I’ve spoken of mothers many times, always in a positive light, but here we go beyond the boundaries of good or evil…

But to stick to the theme stated in the title: what kinds of thieves do you know?

SHADOW WINGS

SHADOW WINGS

Mar 28, 2026 | BOOKS, BOOKS

I would like to thank the author, Paola Petrillo, and Manuale di Mari for the copy of the book *Shadow Wings*.

Paola Petrillo, a writer and creator of candles, ceramic objects, and wedding favors, has chosen a mysterious title.

Ali d'ombra

I was very struck by how the book stems from a dream.

Paola felt an immediate urge to write upon waking.

By now, you know well about my soft spot for dreams. 

I always hope to remember as much as possible whenever I happen to dream, and this happens when I wake up early in the morning, have time to fall back asleep, and manage to do so.

On this subject, I was recently chatting with Un cielo vispo di stelle, who rightly argues that dreaming is a serious matter. 

It certainly was for Paola Petrillo.

And for you?

What is our insomnia if not the maniacal obstinacy of our intelligence to manufacture thoughts, chains of reasoning, syllogisms and definitions of its own, its refusal to abdicate in favour of the divine foolishness of eyes shut fast or the wise madness of dreams?
Marguerite Yourcenar

Is yours a mind that abdicates?

QUELLI DEL CIVICO 21 – THOSE AT NUMBER 21

QUELLI DEL CIVICO 21 – THOSE AT NUMBER 21

Feb 28, 2026 | BOOKS

Quelli del civico 21 – Those at Number 21 is the third book written by author Andrea Francavilla, which I read with pleasure, and for which I am very grateful.

Once again, the edition is edited by Manuale di Mari. 

After Racconti nani non democristiani – Non-Christian Democrat Dwarf Tales,  Andrea Francavilla reconfirms his talent for recounting ordinary yet unique characters, intertwining their moments and destinies.

And if Racconti nani were limited to a specific time frame, Quelli del civico 21 are contained within a defined space that does not, however, enclose them.

Those at number 21 immediately takes us to the protagonists’ home, an eight-apartment building.

A condominium that could be like the one where I live, or where you live.

He thought continually about the apartment building, a Pandora’s Box whose thousand lids were one by one, inwardly opening.
James Graham Ballard

What do you associate with the idea of a condominium?

Is your experience negative or positive?

When my husband and I got married, we lived on the first floor of a building with only five apartments.

An intense and, above all, fun friendship developed on our landing, to the point that our moments of sharing intersected a bit like in the TV series Friends. 

We moved away a long time ago, but Luisa who lived on the ground floor and I, still call each other every Sunday just to see how things are going.

No Pandora’s boxes at that address, just dishes and glasses 😉

And you, what’s your number?

I GIORNI DI VETRO (THE DAYS OF GLASS)

I GIORNI DI VETRO (THE DAYS OF GLASS)

Feb 14, 2026 | BOOKS

I giorni di vetro, written by Nicoletta Verna for Einaudi, was a sharp book for me, if you’ll pardon the pun.

I found this reading disturbing at times.

Nevertheless, I am grateful to Monica because, on my own initiative, I would probably have made excuses and diverted my interest elsewhere.

The novel begins with the murder of Matteotti and traces the subsequent unfolding of events until Liberation.

Castrocaro is at the center of everything, indeed “the epicenter.”

At the end of the book, the author informs us that the characters and events are fictional, but History, the one we all know, remains looming.

And even if the lives narrated in I giorni di vetro have no real counterpart, I couldn’t help but read with the awareness of how many terrible things happened to so many people.

This thought meant that for most of the book I was afraid to find out what would happen on the next page.

Unfortunately, I am unable to free myself from the anguish caused by cruelty. 

At the same time, however, I felt the need to continue reading, hoping that my fears were wrong.

Nicoletta Verna’s book does not leave you indifferent; it is a divisive read, even with regard to the conflicting opinions among readers.

When you think of the title: I giorni di vetro (The Days of Glass), what do you imagine?

Have you ever suffered while reading?

But even more frightening is witnessing the ease with which war becomes part of every state’s plans: the arms race, increasingly heated rhetoric.

Everything that has been is forgotten, trampled on, wiped out.

As if suffering, broken lives, and horror were evanescent, a bubble to be blown away.

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. And like that… he’s gone”. 
Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey)

THE SOUND OF YOUR FOOTSTEPS

THE SOUND OF YOUR FOOTSTEPS

Jan 31, 2026 | BOOKS

The Sound of Your Footsteps by Valentina D’Urbano  published by Longanesi is another book recommended by Monica.

The title might suggest a Nicholas Sparks-style romance novel, but it is actually a very different kind of book, as becomes clear from the outset.

“They called us twins.”

These are the first words.

The twins were not born into the same family, but they grew up in the same place.

Have you ever thought about how lucky you are to be born in one place rather than another?

How lucky you are to be born into a loving family?

The twins grow up where childhood has no place, yet it is precisely that same fate that allows them to hear the sound of those footsteps…

Footsteps that become unavoidable, fundamental, even hatefully necessary.

Some visceral feelings can even become fierce and nothing can break them.

Not even the ending of a book destined to leave the reader with an unanswered question.

Among the topics covered, the most painful for me to revisit was addiction. 

The attempt to escape from pain, is what creates more pain.
Gabor Maté

Do you think this statement is true?

There are countless different kinds of pain to escape from.

I always thought it was easy for anyone to understand, to take care of themselves, to stop.

But I was wrong.

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…

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