Translated superbly by Antonella Lettieri, this 2025 Italian novel by Roberta Recchia is a winner. Tutta la vita che resta came out in 2024, and it’s great to see this book translated into other languages and reaching a wider audience.
I’ve seen a few other people choose this as their Women in Translation Month pick, and I can see why. Fresh, engaging, and layered, this is a future classic.
Roman family epic set in the 60s and 80s
Though mainly set in 1980 when the central Ansaldo marriage has matured, the book also dwells on young Marisa and Stelvio when they first got together, courting under the watchful eyes of grocer Ettore and his proud wife, Letizia. Once the marriage is established, we leap forward in time to 1980 when a criminal tragedy overtakes this ordinary, loving family that now includes a son, Ettore, and, a daughter, Betta.
Anchored in Rome and set in a holiday town nearby, this is a sweeping family epic, a love story, a city novel, and a murder mystery.
Trauma and hope collide in this Italian novel
A host of beloved family characters become familiar over a generation or two, but we also climb into the lives and heads of police officers, criminals, and other important fringe figures. It’s a great mix of internal and external motivators and themes: seeing people crushed, hemmed in, and also forged by their contexts.
The next generation must do what they can to overcome the horror of the event, and everyone must learn to live with loss. The exploration of grief and police procedures were interesting. The story has dark turns, vicious trauma, and moments of heartbreak. But there is also forgiveness, love, and compassion.
A host of beautifully sketched characters help you see the story from many angles. I really thought the trans/queer narrative here was well handled too. In fact, she was my favourite character, one that added piquant joy to the novel.
One word: warm.
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