L’estate dei segreti
(The summer of secrets ) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
Dario is forced to spend his holidays at Dandelion, his aunt and uncle’s old house, secluded in the countryside near a large river. During an escape attempt, Dario meets Simone, with his mysterious eyes and wild appearance, who makes him discover the river, among canoe adventures, hidden paths, and legendary torpedo fish. But Simone hides a secret: and when Dario discovers it, he will have to come to terms with his prejudices, at the risk of losing a precious and unexpected friendship. [Back cover]
Edited by: Centro MeTRa - Università di Bologna (Italy)
Comment:
Chiara Carminati’s novel focuses on that delicate moment poised between childhood and self-discovery and definition, with the lightness of an author who knows how to be on the side of young people, with no adult rhetoric or pedagogical purpose. Resigned to a summer of boredom and loneliness, and forced to spend the holidays at his aunt’s house with his family, Dario has an encounter that will lead to an unusual friendship and force him come to terms with himself as well as question his own beliefs and prejudices. The encounter with Simone, whom Dario believes to be a boy, due to sportswear and the misunderstanding of a French name, gives him a wonderful holiday full of adventures, canoe trips, secret lakes, and legendary torpedo fish. The discovery of Simone’s true identity undermines Dario and everything he thought he knew about girls. A hymn to friendship and its power to reveal much more about ourselves than we are able to do on our own.