A sophisticated psychological novel from one of Europe's most exciting writers. '"Are you an unhappy man?" That's what the journalist said to me. It was her last question.' Gianni Orzan has no reason to feel unhappy. He has just been awarded a prize for his children's writing and a cheque for fifteen million lire. He is blissfully married to Anna and is a doting father to an eight-year-old son, Franceschino. He loves film and is an avid chess player. He is a man in complete control of his life. ...
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A sophisticated psychological novel from one of Europe's most exciting writers. '"Are you an unhappy man?" That's what the journalist said to me. It was her last question.' Gianni Orzan has no reason to feel unhappy. He has just been awarded a prize for his children's writing and a cheque for fifteen million lire. He is blissfully married to Anna and is a doting father to an eight-year-old son, Franceschino. He loves film and is an avid chess player. He is a man in complete control of his life. But when Gianni leaves the award ceremony, a chain of events are set in motion that will shatter this perfect life. In an uncharacteristically rash moment he accepts a ride from an unlicensed cab driver. As soon as the car pulls off he feels unnerved. At the first set of lights the driver turns, smiles at Gianni, a pistol butt poking from his belt, and says - 'So, Franceschino has finally learned to ride his bicycle...'. Gianni bolts from the cab. But it's too late; in this briefest of moments the serenity of Gianni Orzan's life has been destroyed. Later, after he has sent his wife and son to stay with family, the same cab driver appears at his door and introduces himself as Gianni's father's oldest friend. He certainly talks accurately about Gianni's father, who died less than a fortnight ago. In fact, he seems to know much more about Gianni's respectable, pious father than Gianni ever did, or perhaps ever wants to. Reminiscent of Ian McEwan's 'Enduring Love', 'The Force of the Past' is a breathtakingly clever and entirely gripping story of how a calm, ordinary life can rapidly unravel.
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New York. 2003. April 2003. Ecco Press. 1st American Edition. Very Good in Dustjacket. 0066212456. Translated from the Italian by Alastair McEwen. 230 pages. hardcover. Jacket design by Matteo Bologna for Mucca Design. keywords: Mystery Italy Translated. FROM THE PUBLISHER-Shortly after his father's death, Gianni Orzan reaches the disturbing conclusion that his father did not love him. Aloof and dismissive, Maurizio Orzan seldom had anything to say to his son. Moreover, he was a staunch fascist. Or so Gianni thought. Then comes the day he's contacted by a complete stranger who has a disquieting familiarity with his life. In what amounts to kidnapping, the stranger pursues an urgent mission: to convince Gianni that the father he knew was an illusion; that Maurizio was, in fact, a double agent for the KGB. What is Gianni to believe? If this stranger's revelations are true, they threaten to destroy Gianni's steadfast beliefs about his father's shameful, self-created identity and promise to send his life crashing down around him. Narrated with deft wit and subtle reflection, THE FORCE OF THE PAST-winner of Italy's Viareggio-Repaci Prize and the Premio Campiello and a finalist for the Zerilli-Marimà prize-is an insightful look at how one son tries to comprehend his father's mysterious complexities, as well as a provocative, ironic examination of how men construct their own subjective versions of reality. inventory #33927.
