قطار الأطفال

by Viola Ardone, يوسف وقاص (ترجمة)

نبذة الناشر

أطفال خائفون تفتح مخيّلاتهم أبواب الاحتمالات الأكثر سوءاً.

عندما ركب أميريغو القطار برفقة أطفال آخرين ذات صباح من عام 1946، لم يكن يعرف وجهته ولا مصيره. بدهشة سنواته السبع، ونظرة طفل الأزقّة الثاقبة، يرسم أجواء إيطاليا الخارجة من الحرب كأننا نراها للمرّة الأولى.

إلى أين تأخذهم هذه الطريق؟ ولمَ يتركون أمّهاتهم ومدينتهم؟

رحلة ستغيّر مصيرهم وتحملهم من أزقة نابولي الفقيرة نحو الشمال البعيد حيث يكتشفون الثلج وأشياء أُخرى

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Italy, Italian Literature, Audiobook, World War II, Historical

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2019

About the author

Viola Ardone è laureata in Lettere e ha lavorato per alcuni anni nell'editoria. Autrice di varie pubblicazioni, insegna latino e italiano nei licei. Fra i suoi romanzi ricordiamo: La ricetta del cuore in subbuglio (2013) e Una rivoluzione sentimentale (2016) entrambi editi da Salani.

Reviews

[Angela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I’m using spoilers even though I haven’t said anything here that isn’t in the Goodreads description, but don’t want to give anything away in case the description isn’t read .


From the beginning, seven year old Amerigo Speranza stole my heart and his story broke it at the same time. “I’ve never had a pair of shoes of my own; I wear other people’s shoes and they always hurt. Mamma says I don’t walk straight but it’s not my fault; it’s other people’s shoes that are the problem. They are the shape of the other feet that wore them before me. They’ve taken on their habits, walked on other streets, played other games. By the time they get to me, what do they know about the way I walk, or where I want to go? They need to get used tome little by little; but then my feet grow, the shoes get too small for me, and we’re back to square one.”

He plays a game counting the shoes he sees - with or without holes, none or new, racking up points for a “star-studded prize”. “Until now nothing nice has ever happened to me, though.” The shoes say it all to Amerigo and they did to me as well, in this story of poverty and hunger where young children were sent by their families on trains from southern Italy to cities in the north for a chance to have food and warmth that they could not provide. On the train north, he’s afraid to take off the new shoes he was given even though they are a size too small and his feet hurt . He doesn’t want the only pair of new shoes he’s ever owned to be stolen. So sad.

I love child narrators because many times they are wise in their innocence and always genuine in their observations. “Nobody is born knowing everything,” says Amerigo. I connect with them on such an emotional level that I am moved by their hurt and their joys. The first three quarters of the book are from Amerigo’s point of view at age seven and eight in 1946 as he journeys north to stay with a woman, connects with a family, where he finds comfort, and care, friends and hope, and the possibility of a future he would never have had in the poverty stricken life with his mother in Naples. The last third takes us abruptly to 1994 with Amerigo as a man in his 50’s going home to come to terms with his past, his mother’s death, and more importantly who he is as a man. The one thing that was lacking for me was more of the in between events. Having said that, I was equally connected with Amerigo as an adult.

When he returns, he discovers the things about his mother that he never knew, her secrets, the things that happened during his absence . He’s faced with deciding whether to run again. This is a moving story which reflects the political landscape of Italy after WWII, a piece of Italian history that I knew nothing about and reflects the poverty and hope to rise out of it that was a possibility for some. I read several articles on whether it was a good thing to send children north or not and there are varying points of view. Whether or not it was a good thing for Amerigo is a something the reader will have to decide on for themselves. I can’t imagine what Amerigo’s life would have been like if he had stayed. A moving story.


I received a copy of this book from HarperVia through Edelweiss.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on true events, set in post-World War II Italy, about poor children from the south sent to live with families in the north to survive deprivation.

The war has devastated Italy, especially south. Seven-year-old Amerigo Sperenza lives with his mother in Naples, surviving on odd jobs. But one day, Amerigo learns that a train will take him north to a better place.

In the north, he adapts well to his new surroundings and adopted family. At school, he proves to be good with numbers. With his adopted father he fixes instruments. But his ambitions are much higher. He wants to play those instruments, and not just tune them.

At 75%, the story shifts fifty years later. And some chapters bring the voice of Amerigo as he is talking to his late mother. It reveals how things followed in his early age and he also reconnects with some lost friendships.

The voice of a grown-up Amerigo is interesting and reads well. However, I enjoyed the wit and the voice of him as a boy so much that I wished it just followed the young voice to almost the end or for a longer time. I wasn’t ready to part with the voice of the boy when it happened.

I enjoyed a lot the innocent voice of Amerigo, who for example, thinks he can get to America by train until another child explains that he needs to take a ship. But at the time, he doesn’t have anyone to confirm that America is on the other side of the sea.

At some points, he made me laugh out loud. “I look the bull in the face and can see he has a nasty temper, a bit like Mamma Antonietta, who is sweet and nice, but when you get in her way, she literally sees red.”

Amerigo is such a loveable character. I usually prefer voice of an adult, but he turns out to be probably the most memorable character I have ever encountered.

It is a moving story of self-exploration, the choices we face and make, especially when it comes to family. Those are the hardest decisions. What does family truly mean?

Written with heartfelt prose, with well-drawn characters facing hardships and struggles, thus well-depicting the time period, and keeping the plot moving forward at all times.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Come Musica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nell’immediato dopoguerra, c'era un treno fatto prendere dai bambini del sud perché fossero accolti dalle famiglie del nord e potessero affrontare e superare l'inverno, per fare poi ritorno nelle proprie città di origine.
Amerigo Speranza ha sette anni e pieno di paura sale su quel treno per raggiungere Modena. Da quel momento la sua vita diventa una vita a metà, dolorosamente divisa tra quello che ha sempre sognato di avere e quello che gli è stato negato. Amerigo ha la passione per il violino e finalmente, nella nuova famiglia, può imparare a suonarlo. E lui sceglie chi gli è famiglia: non la madre che lo ha messo al mondo e verso la quale prova rabbia, ma quella accogliente che lo ha riempito dell'amore che pensava di non aver ricevuto da piccolo. E da Speranza, il suo cognome diventa Benvenuti. E questo gioco di cognomi è interessante: Famiglia è là dove ci si sente accolti e forse non solo là dove si nutrono speranze che poi diventano rimpianti.
Amerigo sceglie la sua vita e scappa di nuovo, stavolta perché non vuole più tornare alla sua vita antecendente a Modena.
Ma l'amore nonostante sia fatto di malintesi e di silenzi e di parole dette storte, sempre amore resta: non mente e non può tradire la natura di cui è fatto. E l'amore che lega reciprocamente una madre al figlio è quello che parla di dono, nonostante l'incapacità caratteriale dei soggetti di dirselo l'amore.
E Amerigo sa che non può sempre scappare, che il dolore che ha sempre ai piedi quando indossa un paio di scarpe, sono il segnale che il suo inconscio gli invia attraverso il suo corpo di riappropriarsi della sua vita: la sua non può più essere divisa a metà, non può rinnegare le sue origini, non può recidere le sue radici.
E quando nella sua mano stringe quella morbida di Carmine, suo nipote di sette anni, ecco che quel calore fonde ciò che Amerigo era, con ciò che ha rinnegato per quasi cinquant'anni, dando nuova luce all'uomo adulto che è.
E attraverso quel bambino, ritrova sua madre, quella che non potrà più riabbracciare ma che ha sempre amato e da cui è stato sempre amato: decifra finalmente quel linguaggio che per decenni si è ostinato a non comprendere.
Napoli restituisce le radici ad Amerigo, che ritorna a non rinnegare più il suo essere Speranza. Un calzolaio compie il "miracolo" e finalmente si sente a suo agio nelle proprie scarpe. Non scappa più, ma compie a ritroso tutta la strada che lo riporta fino a sua madre.
E questo viaggio tra le tante cose, gli fa scoprire che: "La mia mano, che fino a ora era stata abile solo nel manovrare l'archetto di un violino, può essere uno strumento capace di consolare e dare forza."
Il suono del suo violino suona quello "Stabat mater", quello che gli ha fatto superare l'audizione al conservatorio. Perché questo è una madre. Quella che resta. Anche se i figli decidono di andar via, lei sta. "Per me è lì che resti. Aspetti, e non vai via."

https://youtu.be/ufy4AGOFVAI

[Jenny Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I can't believe this is based on a true story that I'd never even heard of before. There are so many stories in the world that never get told and that we never get to learn from. Sad and beautiful. I couldn't put it down until it was finished.

[Joana’s World · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quando comecei a ler este livro não fazia a mínima ideia de que ia ser tão importante para mim e que me iria tocar de uma forma inesquecível.

Este livro fala-nos da história de milhares de crianças que tiveram que atravessar o país para passarem algum tempo com outras famílias enquanto a sua cidade recuperava de caos, destruição e pobreza.

Este livro tem uma história poderosa relatada a partir de uma criança e da sua inocência, no meio de uma guerra. Relata coisas que nenhuma criança devia passar.

Ao longo das páginas, Amerigo vai-nos contando a sua experiência como uma dessas crianças que teve que deixar tudo para trás, a sua casa, a sua mãe e a vida que conhecia. Vamos acompanhando a sua jornada em lares diferentes com culturas diferentes e formas de amor diferentes.

Notamos claramente uma diferença de vida. Na sua casa, onde cresceu, estava acostumado a viver com pouco, a não frequentar a escola e usar roupas usadas e sapatos velhos. Já na casa onde vai passar uma temporada já existe abundância de comer, de roupas e consegue voltar a frequentar a escola.

Faz-nos pensar nas coisas tão simples que temos e nem damos valor às vezes, até na importância que um sapato tem para certas pessoas (como tinha para Amerigo).

Esta leitura fez-me emocionar de tantas formas, despertou-me diversos sentimentos. É um livro forte e sensível que é impossível ficar indiferente após a leitura

[Heba]

صوت الصبي الصغير " أميريغو " يشق الطريق إلى قلبك بلا عناء...
" أمي في المقدمة وأنا أتبعها... " ، تابعت سيرهما و انتظرت أن تمسك يد الصغير في قبضتها وتشد عليها لكي لا تفلتها لكن...لم تفعل..
كانت الحرب العالمية الثانية قد أسدلت ستار الجوع...الفقر...والخوف على أزقة نابولي القديمة ، عندئذٍ تودع الأمهات صغارهن في قطار الأطفال الذي يتوجه إلى الشمال ، هناك ينضمون إلى عائلات طيبة ، تتولى إطعامهم وكسوتهم وذلك لفترة محددة ومن ثم يعودون وقد بات كل طفل منقسم إلى نصفين ما بين الشمال والجنوب...
كم وددت ألا يطلق القطار صفارة المغادرة ، لقد كانت تتسلل إليّ هسهسة العجلات على القضبان ، بينما وجهي مُلاصقاً لزجاج نوافذ القطار ، وقلبي يودع من بدوا أصغر سناً من دون أمهاتهم.....
ماذا عن أمهاتهم ؟؟...كيف يأمنّ على أبنائهن هكذا ؟
أيهما كان أشد وطأة على قلوبهنّ الخوف أم الجوع ؟...
" أميريغو " بعد أن تعرف على عائلة طيبة يعود اخيراً وقد انتعل حذاء جديداً ويحتضن كماناً صُنع خصيصاً له ويحمل اسمه....
ماذا عن والدته...كانت تعمل خياطة من اجل البقاء على قيد الحياة ، تدثرت بالصمت عندما يُنتظر منها الإجابات ، امراة لا تحب ان تٌلمس ولو للملاطفة ..لم تكن قسوتها حقيقية بل زائفة اكتسبتها بعدما فقدت والدها في الجبهة ووالدتها تحت القصف وزوجها الذي سافر دون عودة...
كيف تنتظر منها أن تمنح الحب للآخرين ؟ وعندما جاهدت لتفعل مع صغيرها كان حباً مصنوعاً من سوء التفاهم وخيبة الأمل ..امرأة لا تغلف الخذلان ولا تواريه ، هذا إن كان يمكن للخذلان أن يُهدى....
ذات صباح تبيع الكمان من اجل الطعام ليكون ذلك بمثابة إشارة السماح برحيل ابنها ويستقل قطار الأطفال ليصبح هذه المرة الهارب الصغير....
تمضي السنوات....وقد ماتت وحيدة ، عندئذ يبحث هو عن الماضي ويحاول إنقاذه...
هل استعادت هى الكمان من اجل صغيرها ؟
هل عاشت تنتظر أن يطرق بابها ويرتمي بين ذراعيها ؟
هو عاش مثقلاً بالشكوك ، يتساءل بشأن والده الذي لم يترك له شيئاً سوى كنيته ، عن صمتها وحذرها...
كل مقطوعة يعزفها كانت من أجلها ..هل كانت تصلها يا " أميريغو " ؟؟....
كيف يمكن ان تطوى المسافات بعد فوات الأوان ؟ كيف ؟
لا أدري.....
الزهرة ستذبل غداً او بعد غد لا يهم ، التفكير فيكِ لن يُمس ، كل السنوات التي قضيناها بعيدين كانت رسالة حب طويلة ، كل نوتة عزفتها ..عزفتها من اجلك ...لست بحاجة بعد الآن إلى معرفة الاجابات...لم احل أي شيء..لا يهم....

[Saranya ⋆☕︎ ˖ [hibernating] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful beautiful beautiful!!!
Such an emotional story about a small boy... Set in Italy during the WW2!

If you thought trains were just for scenic countryside views and overpriced sandwiches, think again!! The Children’s Train is less of a locomotive and more of an emotional bullet train—no stops, no brakes and definitely no tissues provided.

Young Amerigo, a street-smart boy from Naples who’s sent north on a train with other children to escape poverty. Sounds heartwarming? It is. But it’s also a bittersweet storytelling, where every chapter feels like a tug-of-war between hope and heartbreak. sobs

👦 Amerigo has got the sass of a Neapolitan street kid and the soul of someone who’s seen too much too soon. His observations are sharp, his innocence is fragile and his journey is anything but predictable!!

It was truly a nostalgia that sneaked up on me like a train in a fog.

A historical fiction with a child’s lens—meaning everything is magnified, distorted and achingly real!!

[Provin Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The children’s train by Viola Ardone is a wonderfully written tale of a group of young children who set out on a very adult adventure. We meet Amerigo when he is a young child living in poverty alone with only his mother. He is sent with a few friends via train to Northern Italy for chance at better life with a temporary foster family. This book is expertly written from the perspective of a small child. Except for the last part where an adult Amerigo returns to his childhood home in southern Italy.

The author takes you through the struggles of poverty and into the loving arms of the home that every child wants. It confronts the struggles of a child torn between a relationship with his mother and a life full of opportunity. It was translated from Italian into English where not a word was lost to the reader. This book is a heartfelt emotional roller coaster that is a must read by anyone who wants to learn more about the orphan and children’s trains that took kids to a new life across the world. It shows how a community must come together to raise their children for a better future

[L.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on true events of the everlasting effects of WWII left on a war torn Italy. Most of the children that survived suffered hunger and deprivation. Seeking food and odd jobs for him and his mother, seven year old Amerigo Sperenza hears about a train that will take him to a family that will feed, clothe and educate him. His mother agrees to give him up. This heart wrenching moment of placing her baby on a train to live with another family is unforgettable and unbearable to imagine. His love for his new family and his surroundings melts your heart as you read about the blessings poured upon this child.
Most of the story is told through Amerigo’s voice as a child. His innocence is portrayed with his naive humor and explanations of his past. He has the chance to return to his mom and the horrible conditions were much worse than he remembered and his mom’s anger is lashed upon him. He returns to his adoptive family never looking back until into his adult years.
This story is told with the utmost compassion for mothers that make the ultimate sacrifice to give their children up for a better life. Cleverly written.
Thankful for the opportunity from Bookishfirst and Harpervia to read and review a copy of The Children’s Train by Viola Ardone.

[Gaetano Laureanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nel 1946, in pieno dopoguerra, il Partito Comunista Italiano organizza dei treni per portare temporaneamente molti bambini delle aree più povere del Sud, Napoli in questo caso, presso delle famiglie del Settentrione, nel modenese, in questo caso.

E questo caso è narrato dalla voce del piccolo Amerigo, un bambino di sette anni che abita in un vicolo dei quartieri spagnoli a Napoli, una voce che la brava Viola Ardone riesce benissimo a modulare, arrivando a toccare direttamente le corde dei nostri cuori.

Con il suo periodare elementare, ma schietto, Amerigo ci coinvolge nella sua storia personale, nella sua vita spezzata tra la famiglia di sangue, la madre resa dura ed amara dalla vita sinora vissuta, e quella nuova che lo accoglie con un affetto che non aveva mai provato.

Solidarietà e carità si scontrano nell’animo del piccolo Amerigo e dei suoi compagni di viaggio, così come vi albergano inizialmente il dolore per la partenza e la paura dell’ignoto.

Una lettura che mi ha molto coinvolto, suscitandomi forti emozioni, anche grazie all’azzeccata scelta linguistica dell’autrice, che ne rende la lettura genuina ed anche divertente e commovente, ma mai stucchevole o pesante.

Ho trovato invece meno convincente il personaggio di Amerigo “da grande”, al suo ritorno nella Napoli dell’infanzia.

Dietro questo libro c’è una storia vera, sconosciuta a molti, ma interessante e affascinante:
il dopoguerra è un’epoca di emergenze in Italia e, a Milano, Teresa Noce, ex-partigiana e militante comunista ha l’intuizione che solo un gesto di solidarietà può alleviare la drammatica situazione dei bambini del Meridione. Utilizzando quel che rimane dei gruppi di donne poi confluiti nella UDI (Unione Donne Italiane), organizza con i compagni emiliani, in una realtà agricola con maggiori risorse alimentari rispetto alla martoriata Milano, di ospitare per qualche mese gruppi di bambini del meridione.

La risposta fu al di là di ogni legittima speranza. – scrive Miriam Mafai – Tanto generosa che si decise di estenderla e radicarla nel Mezzogiorno (…) Furono trasferiti così, nei due inverni immediatamente successivi alla fine del conflitto, alcune decine di migliaia di bambini che lasciarono le loro famiglie per essere ospitati da altrettante famiglie contadine, nei paesi del reggiano, del modenese, del bolognese. Lì vennero rivestiti, mandati a scuola, curati.

Ma quelle donne, che avevano tessuto la Resistenza e svezzato la Repubblica, non si fermarono raggiunto il loro primo obiettivo. Così, dal 1945 al 1952, anni duri per tutto il Paese, furono ospitati nel centro-nord ben 70.000 bambini, grazie anche all'appoggio del PCI, dei CLN locali, delle sezioni ANPI, delle amministrazioni e della popolazione in genere. Un numero sorprendente. (Fonte ANPI)

[sfogliarsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo scorso anno mi sono immersa in #OlivaDenaro amandolo. Subito dopo comprai anche questo. Dopo l’inizio turbolento, passati i primi capitoli è stato tutto in discesa.. una storia forte di speranza e allo stesso tempo di paura.
Una storia che mi ha commossa e mi ha fatto riflettere. Amerigo in realtà è lo specchio di molti di noi. Tanti sono dovuti emigrare, allontanandosi dalla loro realtà e dalla loro città: molti sono tornati, ma moltissimi sono rimasti nella nuova patria.
Questo è quello che succede ad Amerigo, all’inizio del libro era un bimbo di 8 anni, alla fine è un uomo sulla 50ina, ormai cresciuto. Una sorta di romanzo di formazione moderno che mette in luce una tematica per nulla lontana a noi.
Una storia di separazione e di solidarietà: erano le famiglie contadine del Nord ad accogliere questi bambini poveri. Amerigo assieme a migliaia di altri bambini meridionali attraverserà l'intera penisola e trascorrerà alcuni mesi in una famiglia del Nord, per ritornarci nuovamente. Un finale inaspettato che mi ha commosso.

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desperation Turns into Hope and Survival

The Children’s Train by Viola Ardone was a well written historical fiction novel based on true events. It was about a piece of Italy’s history post World War II that I knew nothing about. The aftermath of World War II had left the southern sections of Italy in extreme poverty. Naples, in particular, was riddled with rubble-strewn streets and a scarcity of good paying jobs. Most children living in Naples and other cities in southern Italy had bleak futures. Their schooling was limited and their aspirations were not usually attainable.

A seven year old boy named Amerigo lived in Naples with his mother, Antonietta in 1946 amidst all the destruction and poverty when a program was instituted to take a large number of these children from Naples and surrounding southern cities away from their lives of poverty. These children were transported by train to northern Italy where they would be placed with families who had volunteered to care for these children. They would be well fed and dressed. These volunteer families would welcome these children into their homes and families. Amerigo was one of the children chosen to take the train. He did not want to leave his mother and the only life he had ever known. After a long and lonely train ride that was full of uncertainty, Amerigo discovered that he had been placed in the type of home he had always dreamed of having. He was shown love and kindness. He was given nice clothes, plenty of food and opportunities to learn and the opportunities to be able to aspire to make something of himself. Amerigo found himself conflicted with feelings of guilt. He still loved his biological mother but his adopted family and his new life afforded him the chance for opportunities to make something good happen in his life. Which life would Amerigo ultimately choose?

The Children’s Train was a little slow in the beginning of the book but it got better as the story evolved. It was told from the point of view of a young and impressionable boy. It concluded, when Amerigo now a 50 year old accomplished and famous musician returned to Naples for one final time. I struggled with how parents could send their children away. As a parent, I know that there is nothing you wouldn’t do for your child to make their life better. The choice the parents of Naples had to make was extreme. I can’t imagine how hard a decision this must have been for Amerigo’s mother, Antonietta and how hard it must have been for little seven year old Amerigo to understand.

The Children’s Train by Viola Ardone was translated from Italian to English. It was a heartbreaking yet inspiring story. I received a complimentary copy of The Children’s Train in a Bookish book raffle from HaperVia through Bookish First in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am completely shocked by the ratings on this book.

The prose is pure awful. Whoever translated this was trying for a dialect "feel" into English. It did not work. Instead it sounds and has sentence form like a "special needs" speech pattern. I'm sorry. That is probably not politically correct. But it is accurate.

Honestly, I would never have know we were in Italy or Southern Italy if I didn't read "Naples". Have you ever heard any Italian of any living location or ilk speak this way? Or call pasta macaroni?

It's a sad tale. Southern Italy STILL has deficits too long to name in the supposedly "common" Italy of socialist health care etc. And a Southern Italian may easily cringe at the assumptions made here.

It's also told without great continuity of plot or purpose. I guess the sad and divisive separation was enough to core this? As if having something better or return to less is a trauma beyond recovering?

Kids in G.B. were often separated from their parents for 3 years and upwards as the Blitz was very early in the war. And class too, was often not a strong consideration for where and when.

Somehow the tone of this is just "off". I know Southern Italy. Better would NEVER be held as future "chip on the shoulder carrying" fodder.

OMG, read "Christ Stopped at Eboli" and not this chick lit. pap. Where will WWII or post war anything go next is beyond my ability to imagine! Revisionist history is one thing. But to make it into a tome of sentimentality? Believe me, when you are starving, a meal is great anywhere. Under any conditions.

If you can't make yourself face the reality of a Christ Stopped at Eboli, at least read from someone who was there and a kid. Sophia Loren was. Read her memoir: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow about what starving becomes. Or when totalitarian governments decide where the food is kept and distributed.

[ZumoDeLibros (Mafalda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review para Goodreads:
Novela inspirada en hechos reales, cargada de emociones y humanidad.
Es un libro cortito, de lectura ágil y sencilla, que se disfruta sin esfuerzo.
Los personajes están muy bien perfilados y consiguen tocarte el corazón.
Me ha parecido una lectura muy amena y que deja huella. Totalmente recomendable.
Mi opinión en YouTube sin spoilers:
https://youtu.be/ObsgaP7rb1w

[Dora Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤A minha opinião em vídeo em livros à Lareira com chá: https://youtu.be/x8VysmwWJQI
Nesta história conhecemos a história de Amerigo, uma criança de 7 anos que nos leva numa viagem de comboio até ao Norte de Itália.
Um livro emocionante narrado por uma criança que nos mostra a importância de tanto que não damos valor.
" A fome é perversa,não liga à boa educação, nem aos afetos"!
Uma leitura recomendável, um livro de esperança, de falta de amor,de solidariedade, de revolução.
Um livro emocionante ,a minha primeira leitura de 2021.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[نهى داود · Rating 5 out of 5]

من أجمل الروايات الإنسانية اللي قرأتها ❤️
أنا بحب الأدب الإيطالي فيمكن شهادتي في الرواية دي مجروحة..
بس هي رواية جميلة إنسانيا ومثيرة للمشاعر وللتساؤلات.. وده في رأيي دور مهم من أدوار الأدب بالإضافة للمتعة.. إنه يثير عندك أسئلة تحيرك وتخليك تفكر..
الرواية عن أميريغو الطفل ذي السبع سنوات الذي أجبر على مفارقة أمه وركوب قطار الأطفال عام 1946 من الجنوب إلى الشمال من أجل حياة أفضل.
لأنه بعد الحرب العالمية الثانية جنوب إيطاليا كان متدمر ومافيش فرص عمل على عكس الشمال اللي كان في رخاء ملحوظ. فالحزب الاشتراكي عمل مبادرة سماها "قطار الأطفال" انه كل أسرة ثرية من الشمال تستضيف طفل فقير من الجنوب لعدة أشهر، تقدم له طعام وتغذية جيدة وملابس جديدة ودفء وفرصة تعليم محترمة وبعد ما السنة الدراسية تخلص يرجعوا الأطفال لأهاليهم تاني في الجنوب..
تفتكروا دي فكرة كويسة؟
طب أنهي أهم للطفل؟ حضن أمه رغم الشقاء والتقشف والعوز والحرمان؟
ولا عيشة حلوة وهدمة نضيفة وأكلة سخنة ترم البدن؟
وهل كل الأطفال بيتعاملوا مع الموقف الواحد بنفس الطريقة؟ لأنه القطار كان مليان أطفال مختلفين مش بس أميريغو..

جمال الرواية انها بتدور من خلال عيون الطفل وبنعيش معاه مشاعر طفولته وتجربته وهو بيركب قطار الأطفال وبيمشي وبيرجع، وأزمته مع الأحذية طول حياته.
قد ايه ممكن طفولتنا تحفر فينا حاجات ونعيش عمرنا كله نحارب طواحين الهوا بسببها.

مش عارفة مين كان أحق بتعاطفي، الطفل أميريغو ولا أمه أنطونييتا..
لكن في كل الأحوال هي رواية إنسانية شفيفة ومؤثرة وحزينة ❤️
قرأتها على Abjjad | أبجد والترجمة ممتازة.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Amerigo’s story, and I especially liked that it was based on true events. In the beginning I could tell it was translated into English but as the story went on I got so lost in it I didn’t notice. This was something I had no idea had occurred and I was fascinated to read about. In war torn Italy after World War II children are sent from the south to the north due to low resources following the war. Amerigo was 7 when he found out his mother had signed him up to be one of the children on the trains. The children were full of fear but what they found were well meaning communists who wanted to support and care for them. Unlike America’s orphan trains this story indicated it was genuinely done in the children’s best interests and it was well-organized so the children could return to their families as planned. Amerigo of course has struggles in adjusting but he learns that in addition to liking numbers he has some talent for music. The story is told in two big pieces, the winter Amerigo went away in 1946 and his later life in 1994.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I know nothing about Italian politics, then or now.

The book begins in Naples 1946 which I assume is being run by the Fascist. It is 7-year old Amerigo narrating his story. Conditions are really bad - no food, no work, no decent clothes, no money. Amerigo is good at counting but can’t read. He is fascinated by shoes but he has none.

Children of Naples are invited to visit with families in the Communist north where things are great – people have farms, animals, lots of food and the children get to go to school. And Amerigo even learns to play a violin!

After about 6-months the children are sent back to Naples where nothing has changed – they are back to their terrible lives.

That system seems to me to be very cruel. Not surprisingly Amerigo wants to go back to the north where everything is plenty. Amerigo runs away back to his adopted family in the north.

At page 209 suddenly the book switched to 1994… Amerigo would now be nearing 50 and has become a famous violinist.

This is too much of a disconnect with nothing in between. I found this section very confusing.

7- year old Amerigo is a sympathetic voice, funny even, which is what kept me reading but there is something about the whole Communist north being the land of plenty that I didn’t care for. Maybe it is true. Maybe not. I don’t know.

The book claims to be “based on true events”. Because I don’t know much about Italy I have no idea how much of the story or which parts of the story are true.

[Siti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi è piaciuto tanto e mi ha commosso. Sono contenta di averlo proposto in una prima liceo.

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Мисля, че съм отвикнала да чета такива книги напоследък, а Виола Ардоне поднася на роден език цели две! Тук историческите факти не са своеволно изопачени в стил “постистина” или най-малкото хвърлени като прах в очите в компанията на досадна и политически коректна самоцензурирана мелодрама, с цел да стъписат клетия читател, каквато е масовата презокеанска практика тези дни. Добро проучване и истинска съпричастност и съпреживяване е леко старомодния, овехтял похват, който Ардоне е избрала да използва.

Италия на бедняшкия, мафиотски, свирепо религиозен и безнадежден Юг. И на неспокойния, експериментиращ, практичен Север. Бедност, корупция, идеология, мечти, цена за плащане. Историята на седемгодишния Америго Сперанца и неговата майка е моментна снимка на всички рани, които в Италия на 1946 г. още кървят, а някои от тях не са се затворили и до днес, и са познати и из балканските ширини.

Темата за социалната (не)справедливост и личната цена на избора и мечтите никога няма слезе от дневния ред на човечеството. Етикетът и няма значение, може да се сменя според времето и модата. В крайна сметка това е то, хуманизмът на практика.

Виола Ардоне пише с много обич, нежност и непримиримост точно за слабите и уязвимите. Децата. Бедните. Самотните. Идеалистите. Отчаяните. Борещите се. Мечтателите. Смазаните. Напоследък сякаш те не са “на мода”. Всъщност никога не са били. Но са до нас. Или са нас.

4,5⭐️

П.П. Искрени благодарности към издателството и преводача - отлично оформление и превод.

[João Sampaio · Rating 5 out of 5]

So
li
da
ri
e
da
de

Um livro inspirado numa história que desconhecia por completo e, que me parece, pouco conhecida.
No período pós guerra, muitas famílias italianas, especialmente do sul, viveram situações de fome, indigência, de extrema pobreza.
O partido comunista, mas especificamente as mulheres, elaboraram um projeto para ajudar essas famílias pobres, organizando viagens de comboio que levaram essas crianças para o norte, em Emília, onde foram hospedadas e provisoriamente adotadas por famílias locais que as tratavam como seus próprios filhos, tudo em nome da solidariedade.

O enredo conta-nos a vida de uma dessas crianças, Amerigo, que vive apenas com a sua mãe de uma beleza ancestral e misteriosa, no seu pequeno mundo, num beco em Nápoles. Amerigo nunca teve um par de sapatos e passa os seus dias ao olhar para os de outros.
Amerigo não gosta das letras, conhece-las isoladamente, mas não gosta quando eles se juntam. Já com os números, a predisposição é outra.

Um dia Amerigo e muitas outras crianças são levadas pelas suas famílias até um comboio que os levará para o norte.
Os comboios que levavam pessoas e não regressavam ainda não foi esquecido. O medo nos olhares das crianças, o preconceito, a perspetiva de proporcionar uma vida melhor pairam no ar. Até por que a possibilidade de que “os comunistas os levarão para a Sibéria e lhes cortarão as mãos”, ainda se aflorava no pensamento de algumas daquelas mães.
Uma oportunidade para Amerigo, mas… a que preço?

Uma história muito bonita, escrita numa perspetiva infantil, do ponto de vista de Amerigo, onde temos o seu caminho, no sul, no norte e novamente no sul, através dos seus olhos, da sua magia, do seu espanto, raiva e resignação.

Uma energia narrativa encantadora, uma maravilhosa história, contada com uma delicadeza e sensibilidade ímpar. Altruísmo e solidariedade fazem tanta falta nos dias de hoje.

Um romance comovente, delicado e profundo.

Recordo que não são comboios metafóricos, existiram, fazem parte da memória histórica italiana.

“As crianças não pedem para serem felizes, elas exigem.”, de autor anónimo!😉

[Argos · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Çocuklar Treni” II. Dünya Savaşı sonrası İtalya’da geçen bir hikaye, gerçek veya kurmaca, ne olursa olsun, “insanca, pek insanca”. Mussolini sonrası toparlanmaya çalışan İtalya’da fakir güney ile zengin kuzey arasındaki “dayanışma”yı anlatıyor. Komunist ve partizanların organize ettiği dayanışmayı. Güney’de Napoli’de küçük bir çocuğun ağzından, dayanışma ile kuzeye Modenna’ya gönderilen Amerigo’nun ağzından anlatılıyor.

Viola Ardone’nin dili çok yumuşak. Kısa kısa cümleler, edebiyat ve yazım oyunları hiç kullanılmamış ancak insanın içine işleyen bir derinliği var yazdıklarının. Kurgunun kuvveti de bu derinliği arttırıyor. Savaş sonrası yaşanan zorlukları ve savaşın çocukların hayatları üzerinde neler yarattığını anlatan ağıt gibi yazılmış çok güzel bir anlatı. Okunmasını dilerim.

[Pia G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

amerigo’nun yolculuğu beni gerçekten etkiledi. yaşadığı kayıplar, hissettiği umut o kadar sahiciydi ki.. savaş en çok çocukları vuruyor ve amerigo’nun sırtında da sanki yaşından büyük bir hayat yükü var.

ancak en çok antonietta ile olan ilişkisine üzüldüm. o mahcubiyeti, hem güçlü kalmaya çalışması hem de içten içe parçalanması.. ardone, antonietta’yı suçlamadan yalnızca anlamamıza izin vererek bunu öyle güzel anlatmış ki. bir yandan oğlunu korumaya çalışıyor, diğer yandan onu daha iyi bir hayata göndermenin acısını yaşıyor.. maalesef savaş yalnızca şehirleri değil, insanlar arasındaki bağları da yok ediyor.

yine de bu hikâye yalnızca hüzünden ibaret değil. amerigo’nun hayallerine kavuşması, başka bir evde gördüğü sıcaklık, kendini yeniden keşfetmesi.. tüm bunlar umut vericiydi.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questo è un libro bellissimo e importante, che dovete leggere. Vi assicuro che vi resterà nella testa, una volta finito, come quelle cose che ti cambiano un po'. Per sempre.
Maurizio de Giovanni - Non saprei aggiungere altro!

[Atticus06 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempo fa lessi con piacere un ottimo saggio di Stefano Pivato, I comunisti mangiano i bambini, dove veniva raccontata una parte della storia del nostro paese che non conoscevo. I Bambini spediti dal sud Italia al nord grazie alle organizzazioni comuniste per aiutare le famiglie poco abbienti, affidati temporaneamente a famiglie benestanti che avrebbero potuto dare loro cibo, vestiti e calore. Fu una bella sorpresa, abituati come siamo a leggere critiche feroci del nostro paese, cinici e ormai disillusi da politica e società.
Pivato racconta quello che accadde, e grazie alla visione del documentario citato nel capitolo relativo, Pasta Nera, di Alessandro Piva, si può entrare quasi nel dettaglio di alcuni avvenimenti, ma raccontati dai bambini ormai cresciuti, donne e uomini, che con commozione e rispetto ricordano quei giorni.
Viola Ardone però, grazie al dono della fabula, ci regala il dettaglio in presa diretta, mentre tutto accade. Dando alla storia quella carica emotiva che un saggio, per forza di cose, non può avere. Grazie ai romanzi infatti, possiamo vivere episodi storici sentendoli sulla nostra pelle, capendo meglio, grazie all’empatia, le sensazioni.
La storia di Amerigo è quella di tanti di quei bimbi che partirono verso il freddo nord, a volte per non tornare più in seno alle proprie famiglie biologiche, volontariamente, a volte per ritornare con l'amaro in bocca. Fa ancora impressione leggere, qui nel libro della Ardone, e meglio spiegato nel saggio di Pivato, l'ostruzione clericale e popolare dei cattolici. I pregiudizi legati ancora alla propaganda fascista, che rimasero nei pensieri della gente comune alimentandone le paure, tra bambini che sarebbero dovuti diventare sapone, cotti nei forni e mangiati o con le mani e piedi mozzati. Paure che accompagnarono quei bimbi durante il lungo viaggio in treno, già storditi da quella che ancora non sembrava loro una possibilità di salvezza dalla fame, ma una punizione o un abbandono.
Non so se sono io particolarmente sensibile a questi temi in questo periodo o la Ardone che gioca abilmente con i sentimenti, ma ogni breve capitolo è accompagnato da lacrime per i commenti di Amerigo o per quello che gli accade di buono. Ma non credo sia giocare facile coi sentimenti, perché quello che racconta, attraverso gli occhi del bambino, è reale e ho avuto modo di vivere esperienze a contatto con bambini disagiati durante questa estate come volontario presso una struttura che mi hanno dato le stesse emozioni. Grandi emozioni causate da piccoli gesti che a catena causano altre grandi emozioni. I bambini quindi sono la prova che a volte quello che viene definito stucchevole è altrettanto vero di quello che viene definito cinico.
Quando il racconto passa dall’infanzia all’età adulta cambiano le sensazioni. Del protagonista e del lettore. Tutto acquista un sapore simile a quando Totò ritorna a casa da adulto in Nuovo cinema paradiso di Tornatore. Nostalgico. E non posso mentire, le note di Morricone si sono fatte breccia nella mente.
Non riesco a separarmi da questi bimbi e sapere che siamo stati capaci, in questo paese, di fare un gesto simile, mi commuove tanto, perché faccio parte di quei cinici disillusi che pensano che questo paese faccia politicamente schifo.
La Ardone ci regala qui un libro che leggo forse nel momento giusto, e che mi ha fatto sentire meglio, almeno per un po’.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The war is over, but Italy is still recovering and is filled with underprivileged children.

Northern Italy seems to have come back much quicker and are more prosperous.

THE CHILDREN'S TRAIN is a story based on true events that happened post WWII.

We meet young children taken from their parents by choice to live with an adopted family in Northern Italy for the winter.

The train ride was frightening for the children because they were worried about how the new families would treat them, and they missed their mothers and fathers.

There were some funny parts, though, when one of the younger girls shouted: Look it is raining ricotta. It was snow, and she had never seen snow before.

You will feel sorry for the children and hope their fears of what will happen to them subside.

We follow the life of Amerigo with his adopted family. His adopted parents were actually much nicer than his own

We see his life before he lived with his adopted family and also 50 years later.

I really enjoyed Amerigo and the Italian names.

If you are of Italian descent, you will love this book.

This was another event in history that I wasn't aware of.

It is educational, uplifting, but also heartbreaking.

ENJOY!! 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Pawarut Jongsirirag · Rating 4 out of 5]

สิ่งที่ทำให้ผมชอบนิยายเล่มนี้ คือ การเลือกที่จะคลายปมในบทสุดท้ายด้วยวิธีการใช้เวลาอย่างชาญฉลาดที่ทำให้เรื่องราวทุกอย่างปิดฉากลง

แม้ฟิลลิ่งของนิยายจะดูซีเรียสจริงจัง มีส่วนผสมของประวัติศาสตร์ที่เกิดขึ้นจริงในอิตาลีช่วงหลังสงครามโลกครั้งที่ 2 แต่ผมคิดว่าเราสามารถจัดนิยายเรื่องนี้ให้อยู่ใน Genre ของนิยายเยาวชนได้เหมือนกัน สาเหตุไม่ใช่เพราะตัวเอกของเรื่องเป็นเด็กอายุ 7 ขวบเลยต้องจัดให้มันเป็นนิยายเยาวชน แต่เพราะสิ่งที่นำเสนออกมา ผมว่ามันทำงานต่อนักอ่านได้ทุกช่วงอายุ ไม่ว่าจะเป็นเด็กหรือผู้ใหญ่ ช่วงเวลาที่แตกต่างนำมาซึ่งการโฟกัสที่แตกต่างกันและการให้น้ำหนักต่อมุมมองของตัวละครที่อาจจะไม่เหมือนกัน มันส่งผลไปในท้ายที่สุดว่าเราจะตัวละครตัวใด หรือในท้ายที่สุดแล้วเราจะชอบนิยายเรื่องนี้หรือไม่

รถไฟขนเด็ก จัดวางเรื่องราวในอิตาลีช่วงผ่านพ้นสงครามโลกครั้งที่ 2 ไปได้ไม่นาน เป็นช่วงเวลาที่อิตาลีกำลังบอบช้ำจากความพ่ายแพ้ของสงครามที่ทำให้บ้านเมืองบาดเจ็บอย่างหนัก เกิดความเหลื่อมล้ำทางเศรษฐกิจเป็นอย่างมากในดินแดนทางเหนือและทางใต้ ซึ่งความแตกต่างนี้ก็เข้าตาของพรรคคอมมิวนิสต์อิตาลีในช่วงเวลานั้นและสหภาพสตรีอิตาลีในการช่วยเหลือเด็กจากทางใต้จากความอดอยากและความยากจน ช่วงเวลานี้ในประวัติศาสตร์เป็นช่วงเวลาที่เด็กแดนใต้กว่า 70,000 คนเดินทางด้วยรถไฟขึ้นไปยังแดนเหนือเพื่อรับการอุปถัมภ์ชั่วคราวจากครอบครัวจากแดนเหนือ

อเมริโก สเปรันซา เป็นหนึ่งในเด็กจำนวนนั้นที่ได้มีโอกาสเดินทางขึ้นเหนือ ซึ่งความแตกต่างของชีวิตทางใต้อันยากจนข้นแค้น และชีวิตทางเหนือที่อุดมสมบูรณ์ทำให้เด็กคนหนึ่งเริ่มตั้งคำถามว่า ชีวิตแบบไหนที่เขาอยากจะอยู่ เส้นทางไหนที่เขาอยากจะเดิน ด้านหนึ่งคือชีวิตจากดินแดนที่เขาเกิด ดินแดนที่มีแม่ของเขา ญาติทางสายเลือดเพียงคนเดียวที่ยังคงเหลืออยู่ อีกด้านหนึ่งคือครอบครัวอุปถัมภ์ที่ไม่ได้เกี่ยวข้องใดๆทางสายเลือด แต่ยอมรับเขาอย่างเต็มใจในฐานะส่วนหนึ่งครอบครัว

ความขัดแย้งตรงนี้คือปมใหญ่ของเรื่องครับ Ardone ตัดสินใจถูกมากที่ใช้วิธีการเล่าโดยผ่านสายตาของอเมริโก เด็กอายุ 7 ขวบ ไม่ใช่สายตาของผู้ใหญ่ สิ่งต่างๆที่ผ่านเข้ามาในสายตาของอเมริโกจะถูกส่งผ่านออกมาด้วยจิตใจที่ตรงไปตรงมาของเด็ก ดีก็ว่าดี ไม่ดีก็บอกไม่ดี ซึ่งการบอกเล่าอย่างตรงไปตรงมาแบบนี้ ทำให้เราเห็นสภาพสังคมทางใต้อันยากลำบากในช่วงเวลานั้นอย่างไม่อคติ สิ่งใดที่ยากลำบากมันก็ยากลำบากจริงๆ ไม่มีการหาเหตุผลความยากจนหรือหลักการสู้ชีวิตใดๆเลย มีแต่เพียงความจริงของชีวิตที่ขาดแคลน อนาคตที่ดูริบหรี่ อะไรคว้าได้ในวันนี้ก็คว้าเอาไว้ก่อนเพราะพรุ่งนี้อาจไม่มีโอกาสคว้าอะไรอีกเลย แต่พอมันเล่าด้วยสายตาของเด็ก สายตาที่ใสซื่อบริสุทธิ์ แม้มันจะนำเสนอทุกอย่างแบบตรงไปตรงมาแต่มันก็ไม่ได้ฟูมฟายโหดร้าย เป็นเพียงการฉายภาพของสังคมด้วยความไร้เดียงสาที่อเมริโกต้องเผชิญอยู่ทุกวัน ซึ่งมันทำให้ความโหดร้ายบางอย่างชัดเจนแต่ไม่รุนแรงคาดคั้นชวนอึดอัด ยกตัวอย่างฮากหนึ่งที่ผมชอบมาก คือ ฉากที่ครอบครัวทางเหนือจัดงานเลี้ยงต้อนรับอเมริโก ซึ่งปกติทั่วไปเราก็มักจะบอกว่าจัดงานให้เหมือนบ้านของเขาเลยนะ ให้เขารู้สึกเหมือนบ้าน แต่อเมริโกได้ยินแบบนั้นก็คิดในใจว่า อย่าจัดเหมือนบ้านผมเลยนะ บ้านผมไม่มีอะไรเลย จัดให้เหมือนที่นี่ดีกว่านะครับ ... โอ้โห มันช่างไร้เดียงสาแต่กลับเจ็บปวดมากหากเราเป็นผู้ใหญ่แล้วได้ยินคำนี้ออกมาจากปากของเด็กไม่กีขวบ

ในการเผชิญกับโชคชะตาของอเมริโก Ardone ใช้วิธีการหยอดสปอยแบบเนียนๆวิธีหนึ่งในการบอกว่าชีวิตของเด็กน้อยคนนี้กำลังจะไปในทิศทางไหน วิธีนั้น คือ รองเท้าของ อเมริโก

อเมริโกมีนิสัยประหลาดอย่างหนึ่ง คือ การชอบมองรองเท้าของผู้คนพร้อมให้คะแนน ซึ่งดูไปดูมาก็เป็นกิจกรรมปกติทั่วไปของเด็กที่เกิดขึ้นมาเพราะมันไม่มีอะไรให้เด็กคนหนึ่งจะสนุกสนานได้ในช่วงเวลานั้น แต่เมื่อเรามองรองเท้าในฐานะส่วนหนึ่งของเรื่องราว จะพบว่า Ardone ใช้รองเท้าในการบอกเล่าถึงการเดินทางของอเมริโกในแบบเนียนๆ

ช่วงต้นของเรื่องนั้น รองเท้าของอเมริโก ไม่เคยพอดีกับเท้าของเขาเลย ฟิตบ้างหลวมบ้าง ซึ่งเป็นการบอกผู้อ่านแบบแย้มให้เห็นนิดๆว่าการเดินทางในช่วงเวลานี้ของเขามันจะไม่ร���บรื่น แต่ในช่วงเวลาใดที่รองเท้าของเขาดูเข้ากับเท้า เดินได้คล่องแคล่ว ช่วงเวลานั้นจะเป็นช่วงเวลาที่ดีของอเมริโก รองเท้าจึงเป็นสัญลักษณ์ของ "การเดินทาง" ในชีวิตของอเมริโกและความสมบูรณ์ของขนาดรองเท้าถูกแทนที่ด้วยความราบรื่นในการเดินทางของชีวิต ซึ่งสิ่งนี้ก็ส่งไม้ต่อให้กับอีกสิ่งหนึ่ง คือ อเมริโกไม่เคยใส่รองเท้าที่เขาเป็นคนเลือกเองเลย มีแต่ผู้ใหญ่ทั้งหลายแหล่เป็นคนเลือกรองเท้าให้กับเขาทั้งนั้น ซึ่งสิ่งเล็กๆเหล่านี้กำลังบอกเราอย่างชัดเจนว่า ชีวิตของอเมริโกนั้น ผู้ใหญ่เป็นคนจัดแจงให้เขาเองมาโดยตลอด เขาเป็นเพียงเด็กตัวน้อยๆในสายธารของการเมือง สังคมที่วุ่นวาย คนนู้นพักเขาไปทีคนนี้พาเขาไปทาง เขาเพียงแค่ต้องปรับตัวให้กับสิ่งต่างๆที่ถูกมอบ (หรือยัดเยียด) ใส่มือเล็กๆของเขาเพียงเท่านั้น

การเลือกชีวิตให้เด็กคนหนึ่ง ผู้ที่เลือกให้แก่เขาย่อมเป็นครอบครัวผู้ปกครองของเขานั่นเอง ซึ่งประเด็นนี้ก็ส่งไม้ต่อไปยัง ประเด็นที่ผมคิดว่าสำคัญที่สุดที่ Ardone อยากจะนำเสนอที่สุดในเรื่องนี้ อย่างคำถามสั้นๆที่ว่า

ครอบครัวที่สมบูรณ์มีรูปลักษณ์อย่างไร .......

ประเด็นนี้ถูกนำเสนออย่างชัดเจนผ่านชีวิตของอเมริโกในทางเหนือและทางใต้

ทางใต้นั้น เขาอยู่กับแม่ของเขา แม่เลี้ยงเดี่ยวที่อัตขัต ที่ทำทุกอย่างให้ตัวเธอเองและอเมริโกมีชีวิตอยู่ต่อไป ซึ่งนำไปสู่การยอมปล่อยอเมริโกขึ้นรถไฟไปทางเหนือเพื่อหวังว่าลูกของเธอจะได้พบชีวิตที่ดีกว่านี้

ส่วนทางเหนือ คือ ครอบครัวที่มีอันจะกินที่ได้รับเลี้ยงอเมริโกไปดูแล พวกเขาไม่มีอะไรที่เกี่ยวโยงกับเด็กน้อยคนนี้เลย มีแต่เพียงความรักและเอาใจใส่ให้กับอเมริโก

ความแตกต่างนี้เองที่ถูกนำเสนอแบบเปรียบเทียบว่า ครอบครัวที่ดีนั้นควรมีหน้าตาเป็นอย่างไร

คำถามนี้เราอาจจะตอบกันอย่างรวดเร็วว่า ครอบครัวที่ดีก็คือครอบครัวที่มีพ่อแม่ลูกพร้อมหน้า ซึ่งเป็นการนิยามความหมายของครอบครัวแบบตายตัวที่มีขอบเขตของจำนวนคนในครอบครัวเป็นปัจจัยสำคัญ และนี่คือสิ่งที่ Ardone ตั้งคำถามว่ามันจริงรึปล่าวที่ครอบครัวที่ดีจะมีรูปร่างหน้าตาได้แบบเดียว

เมื่อเรามองมายังครอบครัวกำเนิดของอเมริโกที่มีเพียงเขาและแม่อยู่ด้วยกันสองคน แม้ชีวิตจะอัตคัต แต่พกวเขาก็อยู่ด้วยกันได้เป็นอย่างดีตามวิถีที่จะเป็นไปได้ ความยากจนไม่ได้ทำให้ความรักที่แม่มีให้อเมริโกน้อยลง แม้แม่ของเขาจะมีการแสดงออกที่อาจจะดูเย็นชาแต่มันก็ไม่ใช่ความเย็นชาไร้ความอบอุ่น เป็นเพียงการแสดงออกที่สังคมหล่อหลอมตัวเธอให้เป็นแบบนี้ เป็นหญิงแกร่งในสังคมที่ทุกคนต้องเอาตัวรอด แล้วแบบนี้เป็นครอบครัวที่ดีหรือไม่.....

กลับมามองอีกทาง ครอบครัวทางเหนือนั้น เรียกได้ว่าไม่มีใครซักคนที่เกี่ยวพันกับเขาทางสายเลือด เป็นเพียงครอบครัวอุปถัมภ์ที่พร้อมดูแลทั้งปัจจัยเงินทอง การศึกษา และมอบความรักให้กับอเมริโกอย่างเต็มที่ หากเอาหลักการครอบครัวที่ดีข้างต้นที่ผมบอกมา ต้องนับว่าครอบครัวนี้คือไม่ได้มีพ่อและแม่ทางสายเลือดอยู่เลย มีแต่เพียงความพร้อมที่จะดูแลเด็กคนหนึ่งเท่านั้นที่มีครบถ้วน แล้วแบบนี้เป็นครอบครัวที่ดีหรือไม่ ......

คำถามนี้ หากมองในยุคปัจจุบันอาจจะมีคำตอบที่เทไปในทางหนึ่งก็ได้ แต่ Ardone แนบเนียนกว่านั้น เพราะเธอไม่ได้นำเสนอคำตอบอย่างชัดเจนผ่านชีวิตของอเมริโก แต่นำเสนอคำตอบที่แตกต่างออกไปในตัวละครอื่นรอบตัวอเมริโกด้วย ซึ่งผมคิดว่ามันดีมากที่ใช้วิธีเหมือนจะเอนเอียงมีคำตอบ แต่เอาเข้าจริงก็ยังเผื่อเหลือเส้นทางให้นักอ่านลองเดินตามและคิดทบทวนถึงคำตอบของตัวเองได้เหมือนกัน ซึ่งเป็นวิธีที่ดีมากในการนำเสนอประเด็นที่อาจจะไม่ได้มีคำตอบที่ถูกต้องเพียงคำตอบเดียว นี่ยังไม่นับว่าหากเราตอบคำถามนี้แล้ว มันจะยังมีคำถามต่อมาอีกอย่างไม่หยุดหย่อน เช่น อะไรคือสิ่งสำคัญในการเลี้ยงดูเด็กคนหนึ่ง การเลือกเส้นทางชีวิตอะไรคือปัจจัยสำคัญในการตัดสิน คำถามเหล่านี้พ่วงมากับคำถามแรกที่หนังสือลองให้นักอ่านได้ขบคิดหาคำตอบ เพื่อนำไปสู่คำถามต่อไปและต่อไป..

ในท้ายที่สุด ทุกคำถามและทุกคำตอบจะขมวดปมทุกอย่างในบทสุดท้ายที่ใช้เวลาเป็นอีกส่วนผสมหนึ่งในการไขคำตอบ ซึ่งมันเป็นอย่างไรและมีรายละเอียดแบบไหน ส่วนนี้อยากให้ลองไปสัมผัสกันเองมากกว่าครับ ซึ่งส่วนตัวผมชอบกลวิธีแบบนี้เพราะมันมีอะไรให้คิดต่อได้อีกมาก แม้ว่าพอถึงตอนจบแล้ว ทุกอย่างจะดูคลี่คลายง่ายไปนิด แต่มันก็ยืนยันคำตอบว่า ปัญหาและปมในใจบางอย่าง เวลา อาจไม่ใช่สิ่งที่ใช้เป็นยารักษาบาดแผลในเบื้องลกของจิตใจได้ มันจำเป็นต้องอาศัยเหตุการณ์บางอย่าง คนบางคน คำพูดบางคำ ที่มาในเวลาที่ถูกต้อง เพื่อเยียวยาบาดแผลที่กลัดหนองมานานในจิตใจ เวลาเป็นเพียงองค์ประกอบสุดท้ายที่ทำให้ทุกอย่างสามารถผสมรวมกันจนกลายเป็นยาเม็ดสุดท้ายที่จะรักษาบาดแผลนี้ได้

บาดแผลที่เราอาจเคยมีกันทุกคนครับ...

[Петър Панчев · Rating 5 out of 5]

Пътят, който следваш за спасението
(Цялото ревю е тук: https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/202...)

Винаги съм се опитвал да „определя“ своето усещане, онова, което витае между мен и книгата. Искам да разбера какво е и защо се намества като призрак край мен и ме съпътства до последната страница. Разгадая ли го, думите сами определят посоката, към която да се насоча. А тази книга е превземаща. Драматична история, малко момче с мечти и илюзии, разрушен свят, тревожно време. Всичко се натрупва постепенно, като смразяващ облак, изникнал изпод руините на една трагедия. „Детският влак“ („Обсидиан“, 2020, с превод на Вера Петрова) е мрачна, но силна история с думи през погледа на седемгодишния Америго, времето на следвоенните години в Италия, когато Югът е понесъл цялата сила на разрушителните бомбардировки, а Северът е готов да приюти 70 000 деца, за да ги спаси от тежките условия, в които се налага да живеят. Но и да ги откъсне от семействата им. Америго Сперанца (прев. „надежда“) трябва да пътува, да спаси мечтите и волята си от забвение. За да стане при приемното си семейство Америго Бенвенути (прев. „добре дошъл“). Влаковете потеглят, а току-що подарените палта изхвърчат през отворените прозорци, за да облекчат съществуването на техните оставащи братя и сестри. Ще получат нови, когато пристигнат. Всяка следваща страница е спечелен миг за надеждата в бъдещето.
(Продължава в блога: https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/202...)

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Мама напред, аз след нея. Бива я мойта майка да се вре из тесните улички в Испанския квартал: една нейна крачка, две мои. Гледам обувките на хората. Здрава обувка: една точка, пробита обувка: губя точка. Без обувки: нула точки. Нови обувки: премия звезда. Аз мои си обувки не съм имал, нося чуждите и все ми убиват.“
Годината е 1946 г., а малкият Америго расте в разбития от Втората световна война Неапол, Южна Италия. Война вече няма, но наследството ѝ е навсякъде около него – глад, бедност и безработица. Бащата на момчето е заминал да си търси щастието в Америка, а то и майка му са сред многото хора, съществуващи на ръба на оцеляването.
Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...

[Sara (Sbarbine_che_leggono) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un romanzo (storico) di formazione che mi ha profondamente commosso. La Ardone racconta di Amerigo, un bambino del Meridione spedito al nord, in Emilia, per passare un periodo di tempo lontano dalla miseria della Napoli del Dopoguerra.

Attraverso lo sguardo limpido e scanzonato di questo ragazzino (e la sua lingua dialettale e poco ortodossa)
vediamo un paese che cambia, affrontiamo la "questione meridionale" e viviamo (in piccolo) il dilemma devastante di chi parte in cerca di un futuro, lasciando indietro tutto ciò che ama; la famiglia, soprattutto.

Sono un mare di lacrime per quanto è ancora attuale.