La forza del passato
2000
First Published
3.58
Average Rating
244
Number of Pages
A sophisticated psychological novel from one of Europe's most exciting writers. '"Are you an unhappy man?" That's what the journalist said to me. It was her last question.' Gianni Orzan has no reason to feel unhappy. He has just been awarded a prize for his children's writing and a cheque for fifteen million lire. He is blissfully married to Anna and is a doting father to an eight-year-old son, Franceschino. He loves film and is an avid chess player. He is a man in complete control of his life. But when Gianni leaves the award ceremony, a chain of events are set in motion that will shatter this perfect life. In an uncharacteristically rash moment he accepts a ride from an unlicensed cab driver. As soon as the car pulls off he feels unnerved. At the first set of lights the driver turns, smiles at Gianni, a pistol butt poking from his belt, and says — 'So, Franceschino has finally learned to ride his bicycle!'. Gianni bolts from the cab. But it's too late; in this briefest of moments the serenity of Gianni Orzan's life has been destroyed. Later, after he has sent his wife and son to stay with family, the same cab driver appears at his door and introduces himself as Gianni's father's oldest friend. He certainly talks accurately about Gianni's father, who died less than a fortnight ago. In fact, he seems to know much more about Gianni's respectable, pious father than Gianni ever did, or perhaps ever wants to. Reminiscent of Ian McEwan's 'Enduring Love', 'The Force of the Past' is a breathtakingly clever and entirely gripping story of how a calm, ordinary life can rapidly unravel.
Avg Rating
3.58
Number of Ratings
823
5 STARS
15%
4 STARS
40%
3 STARS
34%
2 STARS
9%
1 STARS
1%
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Author
Sandro Veronesi
Author · 12 books
Sandro Veronesi, born in Florence, Tuscany in 1959, is an Italian novelist, essayist, and journalist. After earning a degree in architecture at the University of Florence, he opted for a writing career in his mid to late twenties. Veronesi published his first book at the age of 25, a collection of poetry (Il resto del cielo, 1984) that has remained his only venture into verse writing. What has followed since includes five novels, three books of essays, one theatrical piece, numerous introductions to novels and collections of essays, interviews, screenplay, and television programs.
