TO 1310 kilometers from Buckingham Palace, in Milan, an apartment building is animated by the stories of its tenants.
Books to read: To the last check
There’s Stella, a British royal enthusiast and member of a lively meditation group. The neighbor next door Filippo, a food buyer obsessed with a cocktail of his own invention, the Sandra Milo Ti Amo. And Piero and Regina, an elderly couple who live downstairs enjoying gourmet dinners and burraco.
When the administrator of the building claims Regina’s apartment, Piero’s desire for redemption arises and the two decide to seize it.
Among the books to read in October 2023
The ramshackle plan ends up involving the neighbors (and the meditation group) who, if on the one hand will lead to the hostage’s release, on the other will also end up making secrets and hidden truths explode.
A choral story in which all the protagonists, without knowing it, they have a common thread that unites them and that reminds us how the happy ending, when it arrives, is always balanced between dream and reality.
A feel good full of suspense
It ascribes to the “feel good” trend the new novel by our Michaela K. Bellisario, current affairs journalist and royal watcher Of I Woman (he also edits the very popular podcast God Save the Queen) in which most of the protagonists have the name of an English royal, but the hardships… of the commoners.
The subtitle reads not by chance Buddha, the hostages and the Queen waving. The author explains that after all we are always hostage to something, starting with our own fears.
What also stands out is the omnipresence of the statuette of Elizabeth II with the iconic handbag, which Stella always carries with her.
As if to say that there is always a Reason of State (or of the heart) to bend to: Kate, Meghan and first and foremost the legendary Elizabeth II teach.
Info. Michaela K. Bellisario. At the last check. Do it Human. Pp 288, 18 euros.
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