When the atrocity of war catches up with the innocence of childhood. “The Last Time We Were Children” is a moving novel by Fabio Bartolomei, in the spirit of the film ”La Vie est belle” by Roberto Benigni.
The Paris Book Festival which takes place until this evening again, Sunday April 23, at the ephemeral Grand Palais, has chosen to honor Italy. The opportunity to present the novel by Fabio Bartolomei, translated by Léa Drouet, published by Mercure de France, in the Foreign Library collection: The last time we were children.
The story
October 1943 in Italy, at the time of the roundup of the Rome ghetto. Four ten-year-old children meet after curfew in a building courtyard to play together. One day one of them, Riccardo, misses the meeting. The children vaguely hear the adults talking about the neighborhood in which entire families have been arrested. Their boyfriend left by train for a camp. But which side and why?
Even if all this seems mysterious, they understand that it is an injustice and decide to go to the camp to explain that their boyfriend did nothing wrong, and bring him back with them. With their small packages, and in secret, off they go for this ”rescue mission” following the railway tracks towards the north.
We would so much like to take their hand and bring them back! We are touched, we smile, we laugh sometimes like them, like children. It’s so poignant to imagine them not giving up on that first experience of freedom, and in the name of their indestructible friendship.
Through this story, we really find the spirit of the film Life is beautiful of Roberto Benigni, and it is not surprising if, when asked, the author rightly associated the music of this film, signed Nicola Piovani, with his novel. It will soon, too, be on view this fall. L’ultima volta che siamo stati bambini by Fabio Bartolomei, published by E/O in Italy (the same publisher as that of Elena Ferrante), is a moving novel that teenagers can read as well of course!
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And other reading ideas
Literary discoveries to be made, and for all, at Paris Book Festival (until this evening Sunday April 23, 2023) in the ephemeral Grand Palais. Without forgetting, at the same time, the Science Festival at the Museum of Arts and Crafts.
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In comics and for young people, releases on the theme of the Second World War :
The Butterfly Networkvolume 7, On railsby Dumanche and Otéro, Jungle editions
The funny war of Papi and Lucienby Fabrice Erre and Téhem published by Auzou
And finally, on the site of kibookin of SLPJfor all children and teenagers and for all tastes, no more excuses for not finding your nugget to read or to offer!
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