The novel is a monologue by a 16-year-old high school student, recounting the events of a particularly intense school year. When Beatrice is diagnosed with a severe form of leukemia, the worldview of Leo, the narrator-protagonist who is in love with her, is turned upside down. The teenager's inner journey appears effectively delineated, and vivid and interesting characters move around him: a history and philosophy professor, a friend, his parents (but also other schoolmates, a priest, and even a dog).
The major themes of death, love, God, and Redemption are treated in a casual, impressionistic style, made up of very rapid associations of ideas that are often seemingly unreasonable but believable, especially for those who know a little of the language of youth. Some may perhaps be bothered by the turpitude (however, not gratuitous), over which, however, the passion for reading, poetry, music and reflection on the world around them prevails. In short, a book with a clear openness to hope, without naiveté and with an extraordinary joie de vivre and sense of humor.
C.D.M. (2010)