Me and you

In "I and You," Niccolò Ammaniti's talent for creating deeply human, easily affectionate characters and his ability to tell moving stories combine in a tale of lies as childish as they are inescapable, promises never kept, and everything one wants but cannot have. Or be. Shy, antisocial, and neurotic, but also sensitive, meticulous, and perceptive, Lorenzo has difficulty communicating with the world. To fulfill his dream of living in isolation, free from conflict and irritating colleagues, he hides in the basement of his house during "White Week"—the seven days of vacation that young people are entitled to in Italy. Thus, he creates a private world where he can listen to music, watch movies on the computer, read, and feel at ease. His dream week is ready to begin when, suddenly, an unexpected visitor arrives: his rejected stepsister Olivia. The author is known for his courageous writing. In his first novel, published by Bertrand Brasil, "As God Commands," he exposed the world of the excluded, marginalized, and brutalized Italians in a consumerist society. Later, in "The Party of the Century," the author presented the society of vanity in which important figures live. With only one caveat: not in the way they expected. The film based on Ammaniti's book received a standing ovation when it was presented at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. "Niccolò Ammaniti is one of the most interesting writers in contemporary Italian literature." (Veja) "Ammaniti's writing is incredible. Simple and realistic, "You and I" will appeal to young people and adults alike." (GoodReads) "A charming story about what it's like to be a fourteen-year-old who can't quite fit in." (Amazon) "Ammaniti takes us on an unforgettable journey through the fear of the responsibilities that the future holds for young people as they transition to adulthood." (The Independent)