Synopses & Reviews
Review
"This gripping American debut by Italian novelist Ammaniti captures well the vagaries of childhood....The characters, particularly that of Michele, spring to life, and the story builds to a heart-stopping climax. Readers will find this accomplished work hard to put down and even harder to forget." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Confirms his extraordinary narrative talent, over which he superimposes an atmosphere of horror and marvel." Le Monde (France)
Review
"Nothing beats a good story and Niccolo Ammaniti is one of the best storytellers around...This is a breathlessly atmospheric story of a boy's heroism when he discovers that those closest to him are not what they seem. Utterly compulsive." Michael Williams, Sleazenation
Review
"Beneath this simplicity, Ammaniti weaves in the fairytale metaphors we know so well, giving the novel a haunting profundity." Lesley McDowell, The Sunday Herald
Review
"A tense, breathless book, written with self-confidence and vitality." La Stampa (Italy)
Review
"I'm Not Scared is an exquisite parable. Ammanitis short staccato sentences effectively describe the isolation and simplicity of rural subsistence, while long passages of direct dialogue touchingly portray the children's naïve perceptions." David Issacson, Daily Telegraph
Review
"Niccolo Ammaniti is the best novelist of his generation." Il Giornale (Italy)
Review
"Readable in one breath...moving, impressive, amazing. It reminds you of Italo Calvino, but a Calvino warmed by a humanity that is not afraid to roll around in the mud." Panorama
Synopsis
In an unforgiving landscape, Ammaniti skillfully blends comedy, the world of children and their language, the strength of friendship, and the drama of betrayal. The result is a lyrical novel, a compelling portrait of losing one's innocence and a reflection on the complexities inherent in growing up.
About the Author
Niccolò Ammaniti was born in Rome in 1966. This is his third novel and he has also published a collection of stories. At thirty-four, he was the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Viareggio-Repaci prize.