Wednesday 11 May 2022

Sampedro, José Luis "The Etruscan Smile"

Sampedro, José Luis "The Etruscan Smile" (Spanisch: La sonrisa etrusca) - 1985

The Etruscan Smile is set in Italy but written in Spanish by a Spaniard. It is about an old farmer in Calabria who was a resistance fighter in his youth. Now he is ill and has to go to his son in Milan. From the South to the North. The transition is pretty tough.

But this way he also gets to know and love his grandson.
Through him he finds the meaning of life. He mixes the little boy's problems with his experiences from the war. He learns many new emotions, especially to forgive his enemies, but also to see the good in people.

An excellent book, very touching and heartwarming.

Book Description:

"A tough old farmer from southern Italy takes pride in his time served as a partisan during World War II. Due to a serious medical condition, he must move in with his son and daughter-in-law in Milan. While disliking life in the northern city, the relations between the old man and his tender grandson evolve, transforming his life during his final days."

I took the picture from the movie they made where they have changed the location but you can find the English text of the book here.

2 comments:

  1. The relationship between him and his grandson is what would make me want to read this one.

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