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During the hottest summer on record, the children of a small Italian hamlet
play in the surrounding fields. While completing a dare set by the others, one
of the boys, Michele Amitrano, discovers something so shocking that he feels
forced to keep it a secret from his friends.
Michele is repulsed by what he has discovered and yet is unable to resist
unearthing more. But what upsets him most, is finding out to what extent the
adults know.
A terrifying situation is revealed through the eyes of this nine year old,
with a mixture of his burgeoning understanding of morality, his imagination and
his naivety about the adult world.
The heat and the isolation of the setting create an stifling
atmosphere that mirrors the boy’s fear and adult’s increasing desperation.
Absolutely gripping, this powerful and beautifully written
story is reminiscent of Stephan King’s Stand By Me, and Harper Lee’s
To Kill a Mockingbird.
Niccolò Ammaniti was born in Rome in 1966. This is his third novel and he
has also published a collection of stories. His books have been translated into
over half a dozen languages. At thirty-four, he was the youngest ever winner of
the prestigious Viareggio-Repaci prize.
I’m Not Scared has been a phenomenal success in Italy, where it sold
over 300,000 copies and topped the best seller lists for almost a year.
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