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Julia Blackburn's "Thin Paths: Journeys in and around an Italian Mountain Village" was nominated for both the 2011 Costa Biography Award and the 2012 Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize. The book recounts Blackburn's experiences after she and her husband relocated to a small dwelling in northern Italy's mountainous region in 1999.
Initially an outsider, Blackburn soon found herself drawn into the community through a series of happenstance encounters. The village elders began sharing their rich oral history with her, painting a vivid picture of their past. They spoke of a time when their village was ensnared in an antiquated feudal system, with a local landowner demanding a share of their meagre earnings. They recounted the tumultuous years of World War II, the clash between fascists and partisans, and their own struggles with mortality, terror, and hunger. They described how they sought refuge in the mountains, concealing themselves like woodland creatures.
The villagers implored Blackburn to document their stories, fearing that their history would vanish if left unrecorded. "Thin Paths" stands as a testament to the resilience and wit of the human spirit, while also serving as a lyrical homage to the unique cultural landscape of this Italian mountain village – a microcosm that could represent countless other communities around the world.
Book ISBN: | 9780099549420 |
Book Author: | Julia Blackburn |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | Vintage |
Book Publisher: | Vintage Publishing |
Book Dimensions: | 195 x 130 x 20 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2012-05-07 |
Book Pagination: | 272 pages |
Book Weight: | 238g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
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