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drdspice's review against another edition
3.0
This was fatastic up until right before the end and then the story just stopped. I felt there could have been a little more closure.
kiwiflora's review against another edition
5.0
Yet another small novel - 150 pages - of exquisite writing and heartbreak that says so much more than something twice its length. This is a love story, yes, but not your typical love story. This is a story of a 14 year old boy, Lorenzo Cuni, only child of parents who need to be seen to be fitting in and going to the right places. Like many 14 year olds, he feels disconnected from those around him - his peers and his parents, and really just wants to be left alone. To escape he tells his parents he is going on a week long ski trip with the popular kids from school, but in reality he sneaks away into the basement of the apartment building he lives in, relishing a week of peace and quiet and no expectations. His paradise is suddenly shattered when his 24 year old troubled drug user drop out half sister, Olivia, turns up. Neither wants the other one there - Olivia is estranged from her father, and Lorenzo has grown up only hearing bad things about his sister. But over the few days left of Lorenzo's 'ski trip', they slowly stop circling each other, realise they have much more in common than they thought, and ultimately find the acceptance and belonging neither had ever really had from their family.
The character of Lorenzo captures perfectly the angst - justified or not - that most young teens feel. He is caught between wanting to be his own person, but not really knowing what that is, and like most children, wanting to please his parents and keep on their good side. Like many teens he is ingenious in his thinking to cover his murky tracks and I enjoyed very much the flawed young man I was reading about. Olivia is a tragic figure, not much has gone right for her in her young life, but in meeting Lorenzo, her little brother, she finds a softness and warmth that she had long forgotten about.
Of course the escape has to come to an end, and Lorenzo returns from his ski trip happier and more at peace with himself, and Olivia too leaves and gets on with her life. I almost can't believe so much can be said in such a small book. Stunning.
The character of Lorenzo captures perfectly the angst - justified or not - that most young teens feel. He is caught between wanting to be his own person, but not really knowing what that is, and like most children, wanting to please his parents and keep on their good side. Like many teens he is ingenious in his thinking to cover his murky tracks and I enjoyed very much the flawed young man I was reading about. Olivia is a tragic figure, not much has gone right for her in her young life, but in meeting Lorenzo, her little brother, she finds a softness and warmth that she had long forgotten about.
Of course the escape has to come to an end, and Lorenzo returns from his ski trip happier and more at peace with himself, and Olivia too leaves and gets on with her life. I almost can't believe so much can be said in such a small book. Stunning.
jenibo's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't enjoy this little novel as much as the other by Ammaniti that I have read - I'm not scared - which haunted me for years and resulted in a haunting film that did the same. The plot is a little simpler and the simple prose of Ammaniti seems a little less poetic. Ammaniti reminds me a little of our own David Malouf - simple and poetic works which speak of the good and bad and weaknesses and light of common human beings. This was a short, enjoyable tale but I think I will be able to dismiss it from my mind with more ease than the other.
alicebagorda's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
beverfly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
asiucci's review against another edition
4.0
io purtroppo ad ammaniti voglio benissimo e leggerei pure la sua lista della spesa, il libro é corto e scorrevole, semplice all’apparenza. il finale mi ha stroncato (come tutti i libri di ammaniti d’altronde)
andreaportugaldeveza's review against another edition
3.0
Adorava ter 16 anos e ter este livro nas mãos para o ler pela primeira vez... desde que mo ofereceram que não o queria ler. O título e o autor não me inspiravam, o título por ser logo por si só, arrebatador e o autor porque cada livro que escreve o target é claramente young adult e tornam-se todos em filmes, daquelas cinematográficos mas sem sumo, românticos e desesperados mas sem sumo... não era para mim, mas se tivesse 16 anos, teria adorado. Pequeno, ligeiro, sobre emoções, solidão e a surpresa das pessoas nos momentos menos previsíveis... mas consigo imaginar o bem que me teria feito há 30 anos! Recomendo para os vosso adolescentes!!
ombraluce's review against another edition
4.0
La storia minima di due adolescenti, due dei tipici adolescenti disturbati prodotto di una tipicissima famiglia borghese, iperprotettiva e asfissiante. Due diversi modi di ribellarsi, di cercare la propria identità. Dal confronto tra i due uno solo troverà la sua vera identità e la sua via alla salvezza.
Piccolo romanzo di formazione, veramente minimo e veramente molto bello.
Piccolo romanzo di formazione, veramente minimo e veramente molto bello.
andreamunyoz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0