false 3358825 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 3358825 1 3397983 6 10 2008 What Makes a Child Lucky: A Novel total:26|5:3|4:6|3:14|2:3|1:0| 26 87 49 9 457265 3.53 60 11 50184953 1133758 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 3 0 false Mon Mar 23 11:20:58 -0700 2009 Fri Mar 27 01:04:34 -0700 2009 more...]]> 50727069 335159 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 4 0 false Sat Apr 25 15:33:12 -0700 2009 Sat Mar 28 12:33:08 -0700 2009 Sat Apr 25 15:33:12 -0700 2009
Okay, so I was sucked in ...more...]]> 42782218 1713419 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 4 0 false Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Mon Jan 12 08:22:32 -0800 2009 Mon Jan 12 08:33:49 -0800 2009 38978318 1103584 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 3 0 false Sun Nov 30 17:23:53 -0800 2008 Sun Nov 30 17:26:37 -0800 2008 42095026 1867058 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 4 0 false Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Tue Jan 06 09:17:06 -0800 2009 Tue Jan 06 09:17:24 -0800 2009 61343033 2465945 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Sat Jun 27 19:50:33 -0700 2009 Sat Jun 27 19:52:11 -0700 2009 54754351 1019706 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 2 0 false Sat May 02 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Sat May 02 21:54:07 -0700 2009 Sat May 02 21:54:07 -0700 2009 32855686 1147841 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 3 0 false Sat Sep 13 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sun Sep 14 12:39:19 -0700 2008 Sun Sep 14 12:52:25 -0700 2008 more...]]> 47018081 1414556 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 3 0 false Sat Apr 04 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri Feb 20 21:14:19 -0800 2009 Sat Apr 04 09:04:34 -0700 2009 78092364 1325822 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 5 0 false Tue Nov 17 10:41:11 -0800 2009 Tue Nov 17 10:41:11 -0800 2009 77873901 2063222 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Sun Nov 15 13:28:30 -0800 2009 Mon Nov 16 09:20:01 -0800 2009 72759650 876537 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 3 0 false Mon Oct 05 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon Sep 28 07:33:14 -0700 2009 Mon Oct 12 06:24:39 -0700 2009 72530627 1875777 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Sat Sep 26 00:20:43 -0700 2009 Sat Sep 26 00:20:43 -0700 2009 61227949 683361 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Fri Jun 26 15:50:48 -0700 2009 Thu Sep 10 22:17:30 -0700 2009 60440784 239918 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Sat Jun 20 14:30:55 -0700 2009 Sat Jun 20 14:30:55 -0700 2009 54294399 936947 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Tue Apr 28 17:15:01 -0700 2009 Tue Apr 28 17:15:01 -0700 2009 54249373 210764 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Tue Apr 28 10:54:43 -0700 2009 Tue Apr 28 10:54:43 -0700 2009 54014010 1896712 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Sun Apr 26 09:44:19 -0700 2009 Sun Apr 26 09:44:19 -0700 2009 53986815 1724711 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Sat Apr 25 22:58:10 -0700 2009 Sat Apr 25 22:58:10 -0700 2009 53960522 336421 3358825 0393067025 9780393067026 9 http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3358825.What_Makes_a_Child_Lucky_A_Novel 3.35 26 A luminous story of danger and survival.

In a timeless moment in rural Sicily, a boy experiences the brutal killing of his best friend and is kidnapped by the murderers. No child should have to know evil so intimately, and yet once he does, what will save him?

His salvation lies in the cycles of the seasons, the sturdy earth and its gifts of lentils and wild asparagus in a time of starvation, the animal sense that enables one to anticipate the whims and impulses of others, and, most important, familiarity with the Ancient Grandmother, who knows the entire play of good and evil. If he can trust her—the gang's cook, a fierce woman of great practical wisdom and humanity—he will escape the grip of perpetual violence. Or so we learn from the beguiling old couple who narrate this story.

Uniting the most ancient forms of storytelling with a modern sensibility, Gioia Timpanelli's work is a national treasure—a joy to read, clear and resonant and satisfying.]]> 2008 0 0 false Sat Apr 25 17:17:07 -0700 2009 Sat Apr 25 17:17:47 -0700 2009 8 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=3358825