Translated superbly by Antonella Lettieri, this 2025 Italian novel 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.
Anchored in Rome and a holiday town nearby, this is a sweeping family epic, a love story, a city novel, and a murder mystery. 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.
Though mainly set in 1980 when the Ansaldo marriage has matured, the book also dwells on how young Marisa and Stelvio first got together, courting under the watchful eyes of grocer Ettore and his proud wife, Letizia. Once the marriage is established, we leap forwards in time to 1980 when a criminal tragedy overtakes this ordinary, loving family that now includes a son, Ettore, and, a daughter, Betta.
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 word: warm.
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