Ties

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By Domenico Starnone & Jhumpa Lahiri

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Publisher Description

The Strega Award–winning Italian author’s “scalding and incisive” novel of marriage and family bonds that come undone in the wake of an affair (Library Journal, starred review).

A New York Times Notable Book of the Year
A Sunday Times and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
Winner of the 2015 Bridge Prize for Best Novel

Italy, 1970s. Like many marriages, Vanda and Aldo’s has been subject to strain, attrition, and the burden of routine. Yet it has survived intact. Or so things appear. The rupture in their marriage lies years in the past, but if one looks closely enough, the fissures and fault lines are evident. It is a cracked vase that may shatter at the slightest touch. Or perhaps it has already shattered, and nobody is willing to acknowledge the fact.

Domenico Starnone’s thirteenth work of fiction is a powerful short novel about relationships, family, love, and the ineluctable consequences of one’s actions. Known as a consummate stylist and beloved as a talented storyteller, Domenico Starnone is the winner of Italy’s most prestigious literary award, the Strega.

“The leanest, most understated and emotionally powerful novel by Domenico Starnone.” —The New York Times

45 Reviews

4.0

Revwain

Created 4 months ago

“Wow not gonna lie, this book is quite good. I picked this book up after learning that people theorized that Starnone might be Ferrante? Not that I believe it (because I pray to god ferrante is not a man). Though they share the same ability in delving into the characters' introspectiveness, I do believe they have a quite different writing style. I don't know, I read this in english. No idea how similar it is in italian. Anyway this book is like the days of abandonment by Ferrante but it focuses more on the man’s perspective. Starting with a collection of letters from the abandoned wife, Vanda really got me hooked. Then book two continues with the husband's perspective fast forward to when they're in their 70’s (which made me confused for a second like damn.. you all got back together?) Then from here we learned why he did it, how he tries to justify what he did which makes my blood boil with how insufferable his way of thinking is. It is pretty shitty on the husband’s part and Starnone did an amazing job in emphasizing the man’s pov that actually makes sense with the typical middle aged man in crisis logic. Then we got into the last part which is unexpectedly from the kids perspective (Sandro & Anna). I really love how Starnone plays with the Ties (Lacci/Lace) concept in this last part. So creative with how he applied the concept in various parts of this story. And I love how the little mystery elements from the beginning of the story unravel in the end though it still gives readers their own space to come up with their own interpretations of the story without disclosing how it ends for the characters. Overall Starnone is a great writer and Jhumpa Lahiri did a great job in translating it! “-Okay, I'll tell you something else. The morning we met it was our mother who said to you: Have you noticed the ridiculous way your brother ties his shoes? Your father's fault, he's never done it right: Tell him when you see him. -And? -This story about the laces involves all of us. Dad came back for Mom, for me, for you. And the three of us wanted him to come back. Get it?” (An excerpt from the son’s part that is quite brilliant if it was true!)”

Marie

Jill M

Jasmin

Appenthaknows

“The Lahiri introduction is flawless, a masterful distillation of the main themes of the novel. Split into three parts it moves from the perspective of Vanda, a threadbare wife and mother struggling to understand her husband who has left the family for a young lover, to a present day Aldo, the husband who returned to his family after 4 years and now decades in the future is coming to terms with the timeline of his life. The last section is told by Anna, their grown up daughter, now in middle age who recounts the fury and pain that has filled her life in the wake of her parents actions. It’s a lot. Ties explores every facet of cause and effect within the family setting, consequences never intended are pieced together and thrown up against the backdrop of what it means to have a happy existence. I have actually, properly fallen in love with Italian fiction ❤️ @europaeditionsuk #DomenicoStarnone”

About Domenico Starnone

Domenico Starnone is an Italian writer, screenwriter and journalist. He was born in Naples and lives in Rome. He is the author of thirteen works of fiction, including First Execution (Europa, 2009), Via Gemito, winner of Italy's most prestigious literary prize, the Strega.Jhumpa Lahiri is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Interpreter of Maladies. Her books include The Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth, The Lowland, and, most recently, In Other Words, an exploration of language and identity.