From the author of the international bestseller, I’m Not Scared.

You’ve got to taste the high life once a week, otherwise what’s the point of living?

In swampy Ischiano Scalo, the grown-ups are losers and the children dream of escape.

Pietro is a frustrated eleven-year-old, finding it hard to deal with school bullies and indifferent parents. His only support comes from his pretty friend Gloria and favourite teacher Flora.

Graziano, aka Big Biglia, is an ageing Lothario who returns to the village with plans of marriage, though they are soon thwarted. Almost at once this oafish child-man finds another, unsuspecting paramour.

In this wild and mordantly funny picaresque tale of small-town life, Ammaniti confirms his status as Italy’s best young writer.