
Available in bookstores and digital stores, Kintsugi is the latest novel by Anna Cantagallo, published by Castelvecchi. This book marks the conclusion of a family saga spanning decades of change, exploring betrayal, past wounds, and the possibility of rebuilding one’s life. The story of the protagonist, Marigiò, serves as a metaphor for the human condition, a journey of acceptance and transformation inspired by the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi.
A journey through time and emotions
Kintsugi unfolds across multiple timelines, taking readers to La Jacaranda, a farmhouse in Salento, in March 2014. Here, friends and family gather to celebrate the 95th birthday of Thomas “Tom” Vannucci, the family’s patriarch and an art patron. Amidst the festivities, Marigiò is confronted with the pain and hope of her past, as the energy of a young granddaughter and the surprise of late-in-life love offer her a new perspective.
Kintsugi as a metaphor for life
Throughout the novel, Marigiò realizes that past wounds can be healed, just as a broken vase can be reassembled with gold in the art of Kintsugi. In this Japanese practice, cracks are not hidden but highlighted, turning a shattered object into something unique and valuable. Likewise, Marigiò learns to embrace her past without erasing it, finding in forgiveness and memory the tools to start anew.
A family saga that leaves a mark
Kintsugi is the final chapter of a trilogy that began with Arazzo familiare and continued with Il sole tramonta a mezzogiorno. Across these three novels, Anna Cantagallo portrays the long and complex path of female emancipation, through the protagonist’s experiences as a daughter, mother, and finally, grandmother. The book addresses universal themes such as identity, memory, forgiveness, and rebirth, delivering an intense and profound story.
Anna Cantagallo: between literature and theater
In addition to being a writer, Anna Cantagallo is a physician and playwright. Her debut novel, Arazzo familiare(2021), was highly praised by both critics and readers. The second installment, Il sole tramonta a mezzogiorno (2022), won prestigious awards, including Milano International 2021 and Iplac – Voci di Roma 2023. She also published Come cibo per l’anima (2023), a book of ancient recipes that won second place at the Mario Soldati 2023 competition. With Kintsugi, a finalist at the Giorgione 2023 contest, the author concludes a powerful and emotionally resonant literary journey.
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