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Bliss
An engrossing novel about love and grief that introduces an important francophone author to English-speaking readers.
Rome, 2014, late summer. While he is reading on his sun-drenched terrace, Giangiacomo’s heart stops. A quick, painless death—something he had always hoped for, his daughter, Elvira, remembers. A few days later, Elvira comes across an unfinished manuscript in her father’s flat. In it, she discovers a love story between Giangiacomo—Gigi, to his loved ones—and a Belgian journalist, Clara, which had been going on for over four years. Gigi’s manuscript tells of how their “mature love,” an expression that became code between Gigi and Clara, blossomed unexpectedly and of the happiness of their meetings, the abandon of their bodies, their laughter, the films they watched and rewatched together. As she struggles to cope with the loss of Gigi, Clara writes her own version of their story. Her “journal of absence” is first addressed to Gigi, then, gradually, to Elvira. She confides in the young woman on the threshold of adult life, with discretion and tenderness, describing the fullness of the hidden love she shared with her father.
Rome, 2014, late summer. While he is reading on his sun-drenched terrace, Giangiacomo’s heart stops. A quick, painless death—something he had always hoped for, his daughter, Elvira, remembers. A few days later, Elvira comes across an unfinished manuscript in her father’s flat. In it, she discovers a love story between Giangiacomo—Gigi, to his loved ones—and a Belgian journalist, Clara, which had been going on for over four years. Gigi’s manuscript tells of how their “mature love,” an expression that became code between Gigi and Clara, blossomed unexpectedly and of the happiness of their meetings, the abandon of their bodies, their laughter, the films they watched and rewatched together. As she struggles to cope with the loss of Gigi, Clara writes her own version of their story. Her “journal of absence” is first addressed to Gigi, then, gradually, to Elvira. She confides in the young woman on the threshold of adult life, with discretion and tenderness, describing the fullness of the hidden love she shared with her father.
134 pages, Hardcover
Published January 26, 2022
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 20, 2023
WSU library
June 21, 2023
Beautifully written novel about secret love affair. Perfect for anyone with an interest in Italian cinema or the political atmosphere in 20th Century Italy. A book that is easy to love.
April 19, 2024
I really enjoy the narrator chosen for this story. Telling the story of a father's hidden affair from his daughters perspective is a genius way of making me think about such an affair in a fascinating way. Listening from the daughters perspective made me feel like we were learning about it at the same time, exploring and uncovering together.
This book is definitely not something I will remember the contents of long term, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I enjoyed the way the book was structured and organized.
This book is definitely not something I will remember the contents of long term, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I enjoyed the way the book was structured and organized.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews