Thriller set across NEVADA
A brilliant novel of a troubled sculptor in 20th Century ITALY
14th July 2025
Watching Over Her by Jean-Baptiste Andrea, a brilliant novel of a troubled sculptor in 20th Century Italy. Translated by Frank Wynne.
Watching Over Her is, so far, my book of the year for 2025. It is the beautifully written (and translated) story of a sculptor working in 20th Century Italy. Mimo (the nickname of Michelangelo Vitaliani) is on his death bed in a monastery in North Italy where he has lived for 40 years. He was born on France, but is of Italian parents. He is very small (less than 5 ft tall) and this has impacted his whole life. In the midst of WW1 Mimo is shipped off to Italy by his impoverished mother to work as an apprentice sculptor at his Uncle Zio’s studio. But it does not work out as planned… he is bullied and beaten by his uncle who gives him only the most menial of tasks, They move to a small village, Pietra d’Alba, and the bullying continues.
The village is home to the Orsinis, a grand aristocratic family. Mimo meets the 11 year old daughter of the house, Viola, and a relationship begins that controls the rest of their lives for both of them. It is love, but non-sexual and tumultuous. At times many years go by without them seeing each other, but it dominates both their existences. Via a torrid spell in Florence Mimo returns to Pietra d’Alba and (following Zio’s death) begins his journey to being one of Italy’s greatest sculptors. His patrons become the Orsini family. He moves to Rome and, though the influence of Francesco, Viola’s brother, begins to work for the Vatican. At the beginning of the book Francesco is a trainee priest – he progresses to being a senior Cardinal in the church. At the same time Stefano, Viola’s other brother, is rising through the ranks of the fascist forces in Italy. His influence also brings work to Mimo – work of which Viola does not approve.
The war is over and various armed gangs roam through Italy. It is a dangerous place to be. Mimo creates the work of his life, his Pieta – a representation of the Virgin Mary. The work is acclaimed, but something goes badly wrong – and Mimo is disgraced. He retreats to the monastery where he spends the next forty years. His Pieta is safely hidden.
Watching Over Her is a truly amazing book. It won the Prix Goncourt, the most prestigious prize in French Literature, and has sold 700,000 copies in France. At one level it is a ‘factual’ novel that gives the reader a really good understanding of Italy from WW1 to WW2 and beyond. On another level it offers thought provoking insights into the relationship between Mimo and Viola and the frequent disfunctionality of the Orsini family. It is, as i said earlier, quite beautifully written and translated.
A definite must read.
Tony for the TripFiction team
Join team TripFiction on Social Media:
Twitter (@TripFiction), Facebook (@TripFiction.Literarywanderlust), YouTube (TripFiction #Literarywanderlust), Instagram (@TripFiction) and Pinterest (@TripFiction) and BlueSky(tripfiction.bsky.social) and Threads (@tripfiction)
Please wait...
