Cesare Annunziata is 77 years old and he’s not ready
to stop living. He’s quite happy to avoid his kids – he thinks his daughter
hates him and his son is hiding something crucial from him – and live life according
to his own rules, even if it annoys everyone else.
He avoids the cat lady in the block where he lives, urges his 80-something pal not to just die a slow death in his apartment and regularly seeks the affection of a woman named Rossana (although their relationship is anything but conventional). His life is changed when new neighbours move into his block.
It’s a young couple and he soon realises their relationship is unhealthy. Despite his better judgment the widower gets involved and it changes his life in ways he couldn’t imagine. This book was surprising, delightful and quite sad. Originally released in Italian last year, it’s become a bestseller around the world. – CHARLENE ROLLS
