Helpful Score: 4
Nail biter of a story about a young boy who has to decide between doing what's right or protecting his family. It's a short novel and I finished it in one sitting.
Helpful Score: 4
Very disturbing novella. It is an Italian story of a young boy trying to find something to do in his itty bitty town. What he finds is horrific, but demonstrates his strength as a human being. Not to read if you want something cheery.
Helpful Score: 3
This book surrounds children and has a criminal element but held my attention to the end--I wasn't happy with the main persons actions at times but such is life when your father is not what you think he is---great and scary story.
Helpful Score: 3
This book took me by surprise. I have not heard of it or its author, but I was very pleasantly surprised by how good it is. The plot centers around a young boy starting to grow up. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to ruin any plot stuff, but I would highly recommend this story. It's a fast, satisfying read.
Helpful Score: 3
This book is a coming of age tale about a young boy who stumbles upon a dark secret with links to his family. I hate to give away too much because the book is short and the plot should be a surprise.
It is well written with a beautiful sense of time, place and characterization. The main character of the story is a nine year old boy enjoying a sweltering summer with his friend's and younger sister who is torn by the things he learns. He makes choices that I thought were very realistically written from the point of view of such a young boy. His parents and their desperation, I thought, were excellently written as well.
It is well written with a beautiful sense of time, place and characterization. The main character of the story is a nine year old boy enjoying a sweltering summer with his friend's and younger sister who is torn by the things he learns. He makes choices that I thought were very realistically written from the point of view of such a young boy. His parents and their desperation, I thought, were excellently written as well.
Helpful Score: 2
Very compelling read. Told from the point of view of a 9-year old boy, this one really grabs you from the onset and doesn't let go. It's hard to review this without giving away the story but I highly recommend this great thriller which delves into the struggles of childhood morality and the sometimes unsavory situations that children face along the road to maturity.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a new author for me and I am hooked! This novel takes place in a small, very small, place in Italy, although all language is English and very written just as those of us in America would phrase.
Because of the secret of the book, it is hard for me to say how good this read is without telling to much more. The charecters are believeable and you will like most of them, the secret is terrible--just terrible--but without it, this book would of not been much more than family life in a small town. The secret is the story. I was almost shocked when after, what i thought was just a short time of reading, i learned i had read half the book nonstop turning each page as fast as i could to get to the next. I read almost the whole book in one, what seemed like one short reading. I loved this book even thouh it was so disturbing. Very unique mind wrote this novel.I will look for more from him.
Because of the secret of the book, it is hard for me to say how good this read is without telling to much more. The charecters are believeable and you will like most of them, the secret is terrible--just terrible--but without it, this book would of not been much more than family life in a small town. The secret is the story. I was almost shocked when after, what i thought was just a short time of reading, i learned i had read half the book nonstop turning each page as fast as i could to get to the next. I read almost the whole book in one, what seemed like one short reading. I loved this book even thouh it was so disturbing. Very unique mind wrote this novel.I will look for more from him.
Helpful Score: 1
Great story. Takes place in Italy. Written from a young boy's perspective, yet reader gets the feel of the small town and the unspoken secrets of the families. I enjoyed this book and the tension created. Ending has a twist. Fast read.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book,different and creative. Get it and stick with it;it's worth the read. Also a great movie.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book greatly. It's has a lot of surprising, unpredictable events. I have never heard of the book or the author, I'm not even sure how I cam across it, I've read it about five times. It's a very unique story.
Chilling story told from a child's perspective.
The author leaves much to the reader's interpretation, even the ending!!!
The author leaves much to the reader's interpretation, even the ending!!!
Short, suspenseful and skillfully written, this book stayed with me for awhile after I finished it.
I'd had this in my TBR pile for a few years and decided this year to challenge myself and read at least five translated books. I loved this book. Excellent translation and characterizations. I also loved Michele's courage and humanity. I have two of the author's books in my TBR pile which I will move up and, hopefully, read this year. Highly recommended.
Suspenseful and surprising, it's a great read that you can start and finish in one day.
Nice small book, very fast and easy read. Did not guess the ending. Try it and see what you think of this book?
Suspenseful,eerie and original
I loved this book. It is a story through the eyes of a young boy who has a very traumatic experience.
A real page turner - good thing it's a quick read. Suspensfull. Soon to be a movie.
Intriguing and well written.
Quick read with a story that will capture you to read until the end.
Quick read for me. Didnt like the ending however. But I thought it was a great story!
A fun and easy read.
