Join our Caffe' Letterario for a discussion of "Le Otto Montagne" ("The Eight Mountains") by Paolo Cognetti, one of Italian favorites this past year. The novel has regained international attention with the release of its film adaptation in 2022: VUDU, APPLETV, or AMAZON. Read the book first and then spot the differences with the movie so we can discuss them together!

A modern Italian masterpiece, The Eight Mountains is a lyrical coming-of-age story about the love for the Italian alps, the power of friendships, and the enduring bond between fathers and sons. “There are no more universal themes than those of the landscape, friendship, and becoming adults, and Cognetti’s writing becomes classical (and elegant) to best tell this story…a true novel by a great writer" (Rolling Stone).

“The Eight Mountains is an old-fashioned novel in the best sense of the word. With gorgeously understated, unhurried prose, Cognetti crafts the story of an unlikely friendship between a city boy named Pietro and a young cow herder, Bruno, who lives in the Alpine mountains where the members of Pietro’s family spend their vacations. Even though Pietro is solitary and remote, one can’t help caring for him. The brilliant writing helps, but there’s something more: His love for nature is profound, a sign that deep currents swirl beneath his crotchety surface, pulling the reader into the vortex of his emotions” (New York Times Book Review).

Paolo Cognetti is an Italian writer, novelist, and editor from Milan. He divides his time between the city and his cabin in the Italian Alps. He is the author of The Wild Boy and The Eight Mountains, an international sensation that won Italy's Strega Prize and the French Prix Médicis étranger.

Location: In person in Honolulu. Registered guests will receive an email with address prior to the event. You must have read the book to participate, grazie :-).

RSVP: A week prior to program.

Note: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

Questions: Email us at info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.