49 pages 1 hour read

Nino Ricci

Lives of the Saints

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1990

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Lives of the Saints by Nino Ricci follows the young Vittorio Innocente as he grows up in the impoverished small town of Valle del Sole in Southern Italy. His life changes dramatically after his mother, Cristina, is bitten by a snake and becomes pregnant by an unknown man. Facing ostracism and shame from their community, they decide to emigrate to Canada, but tragedy strikes during their voyage. The book contains descriptions of domestic violence, bullying, and death.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Nino Ricci's Lives of the Saints masterfully depicts rural Italian life through evocative prose and rich character development. Reviewers commend the novel's atmospheric setting and compelling storyline, though some find its pacing sluggish. Ricci's exploration of themes like faith, identity, and tradition resonates powerfully, despite occasional narrative lulls.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Lives of the Saints?

Readers who would enjoy Lives of the Saints by Nino Ricci are those who appreciate intricate family sagas set against rich, historical backdrops. Fans of Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend will likely find this powerful story of culture and identity captivating.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Education

Italian Literature

Themes

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Society: Immigration

Identity: Femininity

Topics

Education