Head Above Water

(Paperback)

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Description

In this romantic comedy, a man with a dark secret unravels the mysteries of his past. Plagued by guilt over the drowning of his younger brother, he is strangely terrified by life. When the Norwegian woman he loves becomes pregnant, he plunges into a comically disastrous liaison, fleeing from commitment and responsibility. Finally forced to confront his past and his evasions, he eventually learns to face his fear and finds that there are second chances after all.

Reviews

"Middle-aged writer awkwardly attempts to make peace with his past--and grow up while he's at it . . . Very deftly handled: Italian poet Bortolussi's debut has a light touch."--Kirkus Reviews

"Stefano Bortolussi surveys the adolescent angst of the Italian male who struggles with his inner demons with humor and sympathy."--Adele Santamarino

"Cardo Mariano ruminates on his feckless political past, his lusty and sometimes baffling relationships with women, and finally comes to terms with his loneliness and fear. A pleasure on all counts."--Georgio Vittorini

Author Bio

Stefano Bortolussi is an Italian novelist, critic, translator and poet. He also writes a monthly column for Italian Esquire and works frequently in theater and film.