49 pages • 1 hour read
Lives of the Saints
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Book Brief
248
Novel • Fiction
Italy • 1960s
1990
Adult
18+ years
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.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
1,783 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
1,783 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Cristina Innocente
Cristina Innocente
Vittorio’s independent and strong-willed mother, who stands out from the villagers due to her questioning of religiosity and traditional norms, living under the same roof as her son and father.
Vittorio’s Grandfather
Vittorio’s Grandfather
The town’s former mayor, known as lu podesta, who values traditional ideals and acts as a significant, yet not warmly affectionate, figure in Vittorio’s life.
Vittorio's Teacher (la maestra)
Vittorio's Teacher (la maestra)
A dedicated and religious schoolteacher who takes a personal interest in Vittorio’s education, encouraging his academic growth by spending extra time with him and introducing him to the Lives of the Saints.
Fabrizio
Fabrizio
Vittorio’s only and best friend, slightly older and more confident, who shares his time and mischief with Vittorio despite facing hardship and violence at home.
248
Novel • Fiction
Italy • 1960s
1990
Adult
18+ years
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