Publication
[Amsterdam] Koppernik © 2021
ISBN
9789083089843
Language
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Helenliz
This is a slightly odd book that leaves you perpetually uncertain of what is real and what is not. Adelmo lives high in the valley and is a loner. He comes down into the village to buy supplies, but struggles with interaction with the villagers. At first this might be just because he is so used to
He is struggling with life reality, caring for himself and the dog. The ending is terribly sad and leaves you with the sensation that it could have, should have, been avoided, but where is the point that the story could have turned? To be honest it's probably too late even at the start of the book. It struck me as a brave attempt to write about a difficult subject.
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being alone that he's not good with people, but it soon becomes clear that he is probably suffering from dementia. He doesn't remember a previous visit, but things seem familiar and then he does remember, but forgets. The confusion that this engenders in him is also transmitted to the reader, we're not at all sure what is real and what isn't. And then it becomes clear that this isn't just a case of occasional forgetfulness, there is more to it than that. And then it becomes, by turns, sad and funny and funny in an if I don't laugh I'd cry kind of way. He is struggling with life reality, caring for himself and the dog. The ending is terribly sad and leaves you with the sensation that it could have, should have, been avoided, but where is the point that the story could have turned? To be honest it's probably too late even at the start of the book. It struck me as a brave attempt to write about a difficult subject.
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LibraryThing member alanteder
Senior dementia is not a funny topic for me
Review of the Peirene Press English translation paperback (Feb. 2020) of the Italian language original "Neve, cane, piede" (2015)
This just wasn't the book for me at this time. I am a regular visitor to a senior's home where most of the residents have
I'm a regular Peirene Press subscriber and am happy with their continued efforts to publish translated international fiction. This was just a bump in the road.
Review of the Peirene Press English translation paperback (Feb. 2020) of the Italian language original "Neve, cane, piede" (2015)
This just wasn't the book for me at this time. I am a regular visitor to a senior's home where most of the residents have
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cognitive impairment. The antics of the old man here are probably meant to invoke humour but it was mostly lost on me. He imagines conversations with the dog and with birds until the final sad conclusion. That actually stepped over into repellent territory for me (no spoilers here) so this just escapes 1 star "did not like" territory due to the sometimes witty reactions of the imagined dog speech.I'm a regular Peirene Press subscriber and am happy with their continued efforts to publish translated international fiction. This was just a bump in the road.
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Awards
Europese Literatuurprijs (Longlist — 2023)
John Florio Prize for Italian Translation (Runner-Up — 2022)
Original publication date
2015