White Ravens’98/Argentina(Spanish)/60989
Andruetto, María Teresa (text)
Stefano (Proper name)
Buenos Aires: Ed. Sudamericana, 1997. 106pp
(Sudamericana jóven)
ISBN 950-07-1302-0
Italy/Emigration - Argentina/Immigration
At the age of 19 Stefano leaves his home in Italy to emigrate to Argentina.
This novel begins with his farewells and describes the sea passage, the first
difficult years on a farm and ends when he meets his future wife, Ema.
Narrated in the third person, the tale is occasionally interrupted by short
passages in which Stefano speaks for himself. In these monologues to
Ema, Stefano recapitulates and reflects upon the loosening of his ties to his
mother. Her at times wordless, at times bitter reproaches at being left
behind in Italy run through the entire story like a red thread. Stefano’s story
is narrated in a sparce language. And yet, the feelings of lonesomeness,
sadness and hope shine clearly through the realistic, seemingly emotionally
dry text. It is precisely this reticent tone and the underlying thoughts and
emotions that make this novel so touching and memorable. (12+)

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