Apa lacului nu e niciodată dulce

Gaia grows up poor in Italy in the 2000s. She seeks peace beside Lake Bracciano, amid stark gaps between social classes. The lake holds people, statues and the hopes they lose. Her mother, Antonia, has given much to keep the family safe. Yet her tight control leaves Gaia fighting for her own voice.

This novel by Giulia Caminito follows Gaia from childhood into her teens. Small acts of cruelty grow into harsher forms of violence. Her pent-up rage brings her close to murder. With few chances open to her, she treats violence as an escape. Beneath her anger lie a need for love, loyalty and truth. The story links her struggle for freedom to poverty and family ties.

The novel won the Campiello and Strega Off prizes in 2021. It also reached the Strega Prize final, with translations in 22 countries. This edition belongs to the Raftul Denisei series. Oana Sălișteanu translated it from Italian and supplied notes.