Chewing Gum in Holy Water: A Childhood in the Heart of Italy
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Book Overview
A warm, tender, and richly nostalgic look at growing up in a remote village in a postwar Italy on the brink of modernity. This description may be from another edition of this product.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:1559708379
ISBN13:9781559708371
Release Date:May 2007
Publisher:Arcade Publishing
Length:319 Pages
Weight:1.21 lbs.
Dimensions:1.2" x 6.3" x 8.3"
Related Subjects
Biographical Biographies Biographies & History Biography & History Family & Childhood MemoirsCustomer Reviews
2 ratings
I love Mario!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Chewing Gum in Holy water is a fascinating coming-of-age story that is laced with humorous, heart-warming life lessons of an adventurous boy growing up Catholic in post WWII Italy. His struggling mother sends four year old Mario to live with his uncle, a traveling priest, and his spinster aunt. The book covers Mario's life from 4 years old until his teen years. Each chapter is a scene from his life; the tales center around Mario's experiences with religion and his wild times with friends. From switching toys during Epiphany to hiding cigarettes and gum behind church statues and touching a bull for love; Mario's childhood was certainly unique. Every few years he moved to a new village and had to make new friends. Along the way his life was shaped by an elderly painter, the bickering Friar and Jesuit, the priest-eating Communist, two very different girls, equally adventurous friends and his beloved uncle. I would love it if a movie was made based on this book, it's a really sweet story.
Wonderful read.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
One of the most enjoyable books I have read in quite a while. I loved it
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