From the prizewinning “master of atmosphere” (Boston Globe) comes the surprising and affecting story of a man well past middle age who suddenly finds himself on the threshold of renewal.

Living on a tiny island entirely surrounded by ice during the long winter months, Fredrik Welin is so lost to the world that he cuts a hole in the ice every morning and lowers himself into the freezing water to remind himself that he is alive. Haunted by memories of the terrible mistake that drove him to this island and away from a successful career as a surgeon, he lives in a stasis so complete an anthill grows undisturbed in his living room.

When an unexpected visitor alters his life completely, thus begins an eccentric, elegiac journey—one that shows Mankell at the very height of his powers as a novelist.

A deeply human tale of loss and redemption, Italian Shoes is a testament to the unpredictability of life, which breeds hope even in the face of tragedy.

Sending it to leahjett as part of the Tasteletter 2016.

Its here (: Look forward to reading it!

I really really liked this book actually!

The plot was dull, but the writing style was beautiful and the characters (especially the main guy who writes from his POV) are wonderful. I plan to read more of his books as soon as possible. If more happened in the plot and it wasn't so slow -I think this is a more personal preference than anything- I would have enjoyed it more.

I am not sure where this will end up next but hopefully the next reader enjoys the writing style as much as I did.

Put it in the bookshelves (: