God's Mountain

By Luca, Erri De

Publishers Summary:
This is a story told by a boy in his thirteenth year, recorded in his secret diary. His life is about to change; his world, about to open. He lives in Montedidio-God's Mountain-a cluster of alleys in the heart of Naples. He brings a paycheck home every Saturday from Mast'Errico's carpentry workshop where he sweeps the floor. He is on his way to becoming a man-his boy's voice is abandoning him. His wooden boomerang is neither toy nor tool, but something in between. Then there is Maria, the thirteen-year-old girl who lives above him and, like so many girls, is wiser than he. She carries the burden of a secret life herself. She'll speak to him for the first time this summer. There is also his friendship with a cobbler named Rafaniello, a Jewish refugee who has escaped the horrors of the Holocaust, who has no idea how long he's been on this earth, and who is said to sprout wings for a blessed few. It is 1963, a young man's summer of discovery. A time for a boy with innocent hands and a pure heart to look beyond the ordinary in everyday things to see the far-reaching landscape, and all of its possibilities, from a rooftop terrace on God's Mountain.

 Not Rated. Be the first to rate this product!

ISBN
978-1-57322-960-9
Publisher
Riverhead Trade


REVIEWS

School Library Journal

Reviewed on June 1, 2003

Adult/High School Montedidio is a poor neighborhood in Naples where in 1960 a 13-year-old takes a giant step toward manhood. He leaves school and goes to work for a carpenter; meets Maria, who awakens his sexuality; and makes friends with a cobbler, Rafaniello, a Jewish refugee from the horrors of World War II. Rafaniello, a hunchback, says his hump contains angel wings that some day will unfold so he can fly to Jerusalem. For his birthda...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Become a Pro


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Add To My List

cover
by

This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Export


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Save List Search Query


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Follow Lists


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.