Paolo Gioradano's debut novel has sold over a million copies around the world and earned him Italy's premier literary prize, the Premio Strega. Now, finally, we've earned our taste of his celebrated book here in the states. The Solitude of Prime Numbers is a book of striking beauty and disturbing content, including anorexia, cutting, loneliness and guilt. It's a coming-of-age story in the most awkward and lovely tradition, and its two protagonists are destined to win hearts here just as easily as they have abroad.
Giordano is a young author - only 27 - and his acclaim is all the more impressive given that he's a physicist by trade. He'll be here in conversation with his editor and now head of her own eponymous imprint, Pamela Dorman.
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Staff Picks
The American Painter Emma Dial
Written by Adjua
By Samantha Peale (W. W. Norton, $24.95)
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, and at first it seemed like light, well-written, forgettable fare. But, all of a sudden, I was in up to my neck in our protagonist's dilemma, rooting for her sorely needed extrication as if it were my own. Then I burst into tears reading the last words and realized it was. Magical stuff this fiction thing.
American Primitive
Written by Gabi
By Mary Oliver (Back Bay Books, $13.99)
Mary Oliver talks about nature as a living thing, as a body, with movements and emotions. Nature is an animal. Simple, yet profound, American Primitive showcases why Mary Oliver is one of the more popular poets around today. In a time of disconnection from nature, Mary Oliver goes back to what our society has discarded, making it new and magical again.
Augustus
Written by David
By John Williams (Vintage, $14.95)
I can hardly believe it, but it turns out that I love historical fiction. At least when it's as well written and engrossing as John Williams' Augustus. I actually don't think there was a time when I wasn't reading it that I didn't wish that I was. As good, if not better than, Robert Graves' I, Claudius.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, and at first it seemed like light, well-written, forgettable fare. But, all of a sudden, I was in up to my neck in our protagonist's dilemma, rooting for her sorely needed extrication as if it were my own. Then I burst into tears reading the last words and realized it was. Magical stuff this fiction thing.
Mary Oliver talks about nature as a living thing, as a body, with movements and emotions. Nature is an animal. Simple, yet profound, American Primitive showcases why Mary Oliver is one of the more popular poets around today. In a time of disconnection from nature, Mary Oliver goes back to what our society has discarded, making it new and magical again.
I can hardly believe it, but it turns out that I love historical fiction. At least when it's as well written and engrossing as John Williams' Augustus. I actually don't think there was a time when I wasn't reading it that I didn't wish that I was. As good, if not better than, Robert Graves' I, Claudius.