Alexis, who grew up in Rwanda-Urundi, is the son of an Italian Jew and a beautiful mulatto woman. As a young adult, he now ponders over the complexity of his roots: African-European and Judeo-Christian (his mother was raised a Catholic). The author guides the reader through a progression of exciting and complicated episodes involving Alexis. With his American wife he will vacation in Israel, and that stay will be a turning point in his life. The past catches up with him, exploding with the images of one man's life kaleidoscope: the memories of his African years, colliding with the more recent images of Milan, the smells, the colors and the primeval beauty of the black continent, mingling with those of Italy, as well as with the violent feelings Israel stirs in him. In that dense and haunting atmosphere he will meet young Israelis, a Palestinian and Hans, a German professor, the nephew of a Nazi soldier who died during WWII. A new frienship will bind the young protagonist to the German professor, a friendship that could evolve into something larger, that could change the life of the two characters. Will Alexis finally reconcile himself with the conflicting parts of his identity? Will he feel more African or more European; more Catholic or more Jewish; or will his new environment help him find peace within himself, in spite of the country’s current dangers? The ‘mystery’ will unravel in the last chapter of this largely autobiographical novel.
Alexis, who grew up in Rwanda-Urundi, is the son of an Italian Jew and a beautiful mulatto woman. As a young adult, he now ponders over the complexity of his roots: African-European and Judeo-Christian (his mother was raised a Catholic). The author guides the reader through a progression of exciting and complicated episodes involving Alexis. With his American wife he will vacation in Israel, and that stay will be a turning point in his life. The past catches up with him, exploding with the images of one man's life kaleidoscope: the memories of his African years, colliding with the more recent images of Milan, the smells, the colors and the primeval beauty of the black continent, mingling with those of Italy, as well as with the violent feelings Israel stirs in him. In that dense and haunting atmosphere he will meet young Israelis, a Palestinian and Hans, a German professor, the nephew of a Nazi soldier who died during WWII. A new frienship will bind the young protagonist to the German professor, a friendship that could evolve into something larger, that could change the life of the two characters. Will Alexis finally reconcile himself with the conflicting parts of his identity? Will he feel more African or more European; more Catholic or more Jewish; or will his new environment help him find peace within himself, in spite of the country’s current dangers? The ‘mystery’ will unravel in the last chapter of this largely autobiographical novel.
Excerpt
Bloodcurdling scenes. Emaciated faces blown up on the circular wall. Expressions in shades of gray. My head begins to spin. I feel numb, mentally numb. This is a museum, isn’t it? I hear the syncopated sighs of an elderly woman. Not far from her a little boy stares at his mother: she’s weeping. Do people weep in museums? He seems puzzled, but he senses the gravity surrounding him and knows better than to ask questions. Everyone here looks so gloomy, so somber. Even the fat lady over there, wearing that ridiculous hat in the shape of a bird’s nest. Such young children shouldn’t be dragged to places like this. There will be enough occasions for them to suffer. Suffer... what does it mean? All of a sudden I feel a tightness inside of me. The pain... in my chest. l’m gasping for air. Serena has noticed and whispers: “Don’t stay here. Go to the garden. l’Il join you in a moment.”
This is not a drill. The attack on Pearl. They were the ghost planes of the night, deadly, illusive, sharp-clawed Black Cats. The Memoirs of ARM H.P. Lawrence, a Pearl Harbor survivor, Black Cat, and decorated war veteran.
