The Edge of Europe (European Women Writers Series)

By Angela Bianchini

In 1941 a young Italian Jewish woman flees her country following the promulgation of Italy's so-called racial laws. She arrives in the neutral city of Lisbon and spends three days awaiting the certificate that will allow her to emigrate to the United States. During her stay she meets Juan Ruben, an anti-Fascist intellectual who coordinates a network of expatriates working to assist refugees. Although emotionally and intellectually displaced, the young woman comes to recognize her exile as a rite of passage, as an opportunity to acquire a new awareness of herself. Her experience of displacement becomes most intense during an outing to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe, whose cliffs symbolize "the last sign of earth, the end of Europe," yet also face outward toward the Atlantic and America. With a clear and spare style, Angela Bianchini explores the theme of exile from a variety of perspectives as she offers a glimpse into Italian culture at a major historical juncture. Bianchini lives in Rome, where she was born and raised. She is the author of six novels and a frequent contributor to major Italian newspapers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803261713
• ISBN13: 9780803261716
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Bison Books
• Length: 140 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.3" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Untold stories

Angela Bianchini tells the story of the last Italian refugees to make it out of Europe to the US as the Second World War began. She also brings out the importance of class differences among all the Jews who were caught in the vise of the Nazi war machine, and the ways in which class influenced chances for survival. Anyone who feels that Italy somehow is not "as much to blame" as Germany for the holocaust will find this book enlightening.

A Different View

Don't let the awkwardly translated beginning pages of this beautiful novel discourage you from 'taking in' a very different view than is normally offered of a young woman's escape from Europe during WWII. This is a novel where deep emotions underlie a restrained narration. The characters are richly depicted. The scenes of Lisbon, utterly delightful.

A haunting tale

Highly recommended -- Europe is falling apart and a young girl is making her way from Italy to safety in the United States. She stops off in Lisbon -- the 'edge of europe' -- about which one learns a great deal as she spends her days wandering the city alone, and in the company of the family charged with shepherding her to America. A small but fascinating slice of pre-war life, beautifully imagined -- chapter 17 alone is worth the price of the book.