Under the Lupo's Grip, Tranquility Prevails
Born in the heart of Italy's Abruzzi region, Donatella Di Pietrantonio pens a tale of human fragility in her critically acclaimed novel, "The Fragile Time." This gripping narrative follows Lucia, a first-person narrator, as she welcomes back her daughter Amanda, who returns from Milan with her spirit broken. The small town beneath the "Wolf's Tooth" is shrouded in a somber history, its dilapidated campsite stirring memories of a horrific crime from thirty years ago.
Lucia's father wants to gift her a piece of the enchanted forest, which adds another burden to her life as the forgotten crime remains a lingering shadow beneath the picturesque mountain landscape. The past haunts Lucia, as she had planned to meet her friend Doralice on the day the crime occurred. Instead, she chose the sunny beaches and joyous company of other youngsters, leaving Doralice to endure the bloodbath alone.
Guilt consumes Lucia, as the two women never spoke of what happened that fateful night. Their friendship suffered amidst the lingering silence and distance that grew between them after the trial. Di Pietrantonio masterfully weaves narratives of guilt, silence, and repressed trauma, illuminating the deeply rooted pain that such a crime leaves within a community.
The tale spans generations, delving into the emotional entanglements between parents and their children. Each character has a unique connection to their homeland, reflecting the author's astute understanding of the complex bonds between individuals and the places they call home. Lucia, the villager dedicated to her physiotherapy practice, feels bound to the region, whereas her daughter, Amanda, longs for the freedom of Milan that eventually leaves her shattered.
The book leaves readers both overwhelmed and captivated. Di Pietrantonio's powerful storytelling, beautifully translated into German by Maja Pflug, draws readers into a tale filled with darkness, past traumas, hidden anxieties, and unspoken desires.
As one of Italy's notable literary figures, Di Pietrantonio has garnered a vast following in her home country. With "The Fragile Time" winning the prestigious "Premio Strega" in 2024, her compelling narrative gives voice to the struggles of women in a patriarchal society, illuminating the fundamental fragility that defines human nature.
In the end, Lucia faces a monumental decision, as the abandoned campsite becomes the subject of a real estate mogul's covetous gaze. But "The Fragile Time" appropriately shows that breaking the silence of the past remains possible even today, paving the way for healing and a chance to overcome the pain of the past.
Lucia's inherited guilt from the entanglements with Doralice has made the fragmented forest piece a burden, as it serves as a constant reminder of their unspoken past. Using flashlights, Lucia and Amanda explore the dilapidated campsite, hoping to find closure and resolve the lingering shadows of their shared history. Despite the fragility that the past has instilled in Lucia, she finds solace in the flashlight's steady beam, illuminating the path towards healing and reconciliation.
