The Day Before Happiness

by Erri De Luca

Book Overview

Just after World War II, a young orphan living in Naples comes under the protection of Don Gaetano, the superintendent of an apartment building. He is a generous man and is very attached to the boy,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590514815
• ISBN13: 9781590514818
• Release Date: November 2011
• Publisher: Other Press (NY)
• Length: 175 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A Tiny Snapshot of Postwar Italy

This is a postwar story about a boy deprived of almost everything by the war, by family, and by an indifferent child welfare system. The boy still manages to read everything he can get his hands on, thanks to a used bookseller who takes an interest in him. The bond between the boy and another guardian is so moving, and so real, because he shares all he has with the boy. In those times of destruction and disconnection, the old man makes sure the boy has what he needs for his journey out of Italy. This short, affecting book is worth the time.