The Brittle Age 🌄

By Donatella Di Pietrantonio.

The Brittle Age is a beautifully written and deeply moving book that explores the bonds between mother and daughter, the weight of the past and the resilience of the human spirit.

Translated from Italian by Ann Goldstein, it is a powerful examination of memory, trauma and the lingering effects of tragedy.

Set in the rugged landscape of the Apennines, the story follows Lucia, who, as a young woman, was the sole survivor of a brutal crime that shattered her community.

Decades later, when the pandemic forces her daughter Amanda to return home, Lucia’s memories begin to resurface, unearthing long-buried pain and unanswered questions. As mother and daughter navigate their shared past, the book delves into themes of loss, survival and the inescapable pull of family.

Di Pietrantonio’s writing is both lyrical and haunting, drawing readers into the emotional depths of her characters.

The stark beauty of the setting mirrors the rawness of the story, creating an atmosphere that lingers long after the final page. There is an emotional intensity and psychological insight woven throughout the book.

The Brittle Age is a tale of reckoning and resilience, a story that reminds us how the past shapes the present and how the ties that bind us can both wound and heal. It is an unforgettable read, full of aching tenderness and quiet strength.

Thank you so much to Daniela at Europa Editions UK for sending me an ARC of the book. The book is out now and available to purchase.

Buy the book here.

Buy the Kindle book here.