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Available now in its first English translation, noted Italian author Romano Bilenchi's The Chill is a stylish but detached coming-of-age story following an unnamed teenage narrator through a brief period in the 1950s in a small Tuscan town. The title comes from the chill that settles over the narrator as he reluctantly stands on the cusp of adulthood. Though the book is elegantly composed, a lack of personal connection with the characters leaves the story somewhat icy.
The death of his grandfather triggers the boy's emotional transition. Forced to see life in a more mature and introspective light, the 16-year-old becomes suspicious and confused by the world around him. The following weeks and months present seemingly trivial events that are, to the boy and his emotional development, momentous. As egos develop where there once was playful naïveté, the boy's group of friends dissipates. He, for the first time, experiences the disappointment that can come with love. He witnesses a darker and more vulgar side of humanity as rumors spread about his friends and family, and scandals sweep the small town. Overcome by feelings of isolation and nostalgia for the childhood that is slipping away, the narrator is unprepared to face these new and uncomfortable situations. He often craves the simplicity of youth that is now out of reach.
The boy is immature in many ways but also exceedingly introspective. Though unable to process his new and difficult feelings fully, he realizes the change in himself as he slowly grows into his role as a man. Bilenchi captures the essence of the character's fears and reservations through the boy's reflections and eloquently conveys his teenage angst:
More and more, I felt rejected by those I knew, and moments of isolation were frequent. The most painful sensation was one that hit me at night when I went to bed: I felt a sharp certainty that I was not as strong as others, was incapable of defending myself, of asserting myself, of alighting under the wings of those existences who, in their tranquil flight, seemed to cover all and make them equal, natural, and happy, whatever adversity befell them.
Bilanchi's writing is clean and pared down so that every word is chosen carefully and not a single one is wasted. Because of this, a few short sentences can convey a mountain of emotion and implications. A careless or distracted reader could miss significant subtleties of the story by not approaching the book attentively. While the sparse language and lack of dialogue lends a stylish presentation to the book, it also results in emotional detachment for the reader. The narrator reveals very little about himself outside the year or so covered in the story and readers never develop a sense of attachment to him. By never even divulging his name, the boy remains a stranger throughout the narrative. Unfortunately, once the story ends, so does the character's impression on the reader.
One aspect that is more memorable—or at least engaging—is the Tuscan countryside that Bilenchi so thoughtfully describes. A central component of the book, the scenery becomes a character itself and mirrors the narrator's disposition. At times, the landscape impresses a sense of awe-inducing magnificence, with the remains of old castles and abbeys set against a background of fierce mountains. Sometimes it is a place for comfort and reflection amid the sunflower stalks. Other times it is ominous and sinister, with gray buildings jutting against the sky in hostility. As the narrator's experiences and outlooks peak and valley, the Italian landscape comes alive. The striking landscape is a welcome element in contrast to a somewhat dull narrator and injects some desperately needed color into the imagery.
The coming-of-age story has been written countless times, in every generation, language, and style. The Chill breaks no new ground, nor does it offer a unique interpretation of the fall from innocence, but is still a worthwhile read—if only to appreciate the captivating landscape and Bilenchi's graceful prose. His elegant but raw style conveys the sharp chill and loneliness the narrator feels, making this an appropriate read for a cold winter day. However, just as the seasons are fleeting, so will this book's mark be upon most readers.
(December, 2009)
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