Cello witnessed his mother's suicide; Tato was punished by his father's sadistic stupidity. The intense relationship the two boys form shields them from their savage life. Just as their aunt Zia enters their life and begins to show them the world as it can be, Cello is sent to school in Europe. He studies for the priesthood, but begins to question his faith. Two weeks before his ordination he returns home to ponder that final step. He seeks out Tato, fresh from a failed marriage. Cello decides against the priesthood. Their sexuality threatens to explode, and Cello flees. In an auto accident, Cello's suffers a strange, repression of identity. He marries, raises a family, and settles into an unhappy life. Ten years after later, they meet again, unleashing an whirlpool of remembrance and a final dramatic resolution.
This was a very complex book about 2 cousins that secretly love each other, but neither will really admit it. This is one of those books that has dozens of characters, some good, some not. I was very disappointed that the ending was almost another one of those standard "I've got to kill myself" rather than admit they love each other. Well written, beautiful prose, but a VERY big let-down ending.
A beautiful story - difficult to put down!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This is an interesting and moving story centring on the relationship between two attractive cousins, the younger Cello Manfredi and the older and more reckless Tato. As youths they enjoy a sublime and intimate summer together by the sea. Subsequently parted they forge independent lives including marriage. Years later they meet again under odd and difficult circumstances, and while old passions are potentially rekindled, fear and denial threaten to destroy them both. This is a beautifully told and atmospheric story, which as it steadily unfolds is unpredictable. There are perhaps a few too many coincidences; but then this is fiction, so why not? I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cold Hands, a book I found difficult to put down, it held me throughout.
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