Gianni Solla – författare

For fans of The Reader and inspired by historical events in 1940s Italy, a poignant and hopeful novel in which a young, illiterate herdsman learns to read with the help of his two friends— rewriting his destiny in the processSeptember 1942. Young Davide is no stranger to hunger or cruelty. Uneducated but curious, he endures a life of quiet hardship caring for his father’s pigs with only the fiery Teresa for a friend. That is, until a group of Jewish families are relocated to their small Italian town. Among them is the mysterious Nicolas, who sparks within Davide a desire for knowledge and deep connection.When Nicolas’ father sets up an underground school, Davide begins to attend classes and, as he learns to read, words begin to reshape his world. As Davide, Teresa, and Nicolas grow closer, they find themselves navigating the perilous and emotional terrain of adolescence. But when Davide’s choices lead to betrayal and guilt, he is forced to flee the village, leaving his friends behind.In Naples, amid bombed-out rubble, back-alley theaters, and fleeting moments of human kindness, Davide will eventually reclaim his voice through the power of storytelling as a performer. Each word penned carries the weight of his struggle, and every performance strikes back at the cruelty of his world. Resolving at last to find his lost friends, Davide sets off in search of redemption. Rich with history, heartbreak, and the fragile glow of resilience, There Was a Time for Such a Word captures the transformative power of words and the strength needed to decide your fate.Translated from the Italian by Richard Dixon

For fans of The Reader and inspired by historical events in 1940s Italy, a poignant and hopeful novel in which a young, illiterate herdsman learns to read with the help of his two friends—rewriting his destiny in the processSeptember 1942. Young Davide is no stranger to hunger or cruelty. Uneducated but curious, he endures a life of quiet hardship caring for his father’s pigs with only the fiery Teresa for a friend. That is, until a group of Jewish families are relocated to their small Italian town. Among them is the mysterious Nicolas, who sparks within Davide a desire for knowledge and deep connection.When Nicolas’ father sets up an underground school, Davide begins to attend classes and, as he learns to read, words begin to reshape his world. As Davide, Teresa, and Nicolas grow closer, they find themselves navigating the perilous and emotional terrain of adolescence. But when Davide’s choices lead to betrayal and guilt, he is forced to flee the village, leaving his friends behind.In Naples, amid bombed-out rubble, back-alley theaters, and fleeting moments of human kindness, Davide will eventually reclaim his voice through the power of storytelling as a performer. Each word penned carries the weight of his struggle, and every performance strikes back at the cruelty of his world. Resolving at last to find his lost friends, Davide sets off in search of redemption. Rich with history, heartbreak, and the fragile glow of resilience, There Was a Time for Such a Word captures the transformative power of words and the strength needed to decide your fate.Translated from the Italian by Richard Dixon

Davide und Teresa träumen sich schon lange fort von ihrem Dorf, fort von den vorgezeichneten Wegen. Doch an einem Tag im Jahr 1942 taucht plötzlich Nicolas in ihrem Leben auf, ein zwangsumgesiedelter jüdischer Junge aus Neapel. Es wird der Sommer ihres Lebens. Bis der Krieg auch ihr Dorf erreicht – und die zarten Bindungen zwischen den drei Jugendlichen zerreißt. Sie verlieren sich aus den Augen, doch nie ganz aus dem Sinn. Jahre später kommt es zu einem Wiedersehen, und alles ist vertraut und doch verwirrend anders.

Karun kaunis italialainen menestysromaani kolmesta ystävyksestä ja sanojen voimasta kovina aikoina. 1942, Tora e Piccillin kylä. Davide on sikafarmarin kampurajalkainen poika. Isä on vannoutunut fasisti, joka ei usko koulutukseen. Daviden ainoa ystävä Teresa on opettanut Davidelle kirjaimet ja muutamia numeroita.Kun juutalaiset peltotyöläiset saapuvat kylään Mussolinin käskystä, asukkaat nousevat kapinaan. Davidekin pieksee joukon mukana nuoren Nicolasin. Myöhemmin he ystävystyvät aitaa maalatessaan, ja Nicolas alkaa isänsä kanssa vaivihkaa opettaa Davidea lukemaan. Kun Daviden isä kuulee tästä, hän tappaa kostoksi Daviden suosikkisian. Se on Davidelle viimeinen piste.