Translated fiction set in Italy

Submitted: 2nd October 2025

The Little I Knew

Translated fiction from Foundry Editions. Off to Scauri we go!

Map of locations in The Little I Knew

The Little I Knew Chiara Valerio

BOOK COVER

Map of locations in The Little I Knew

What are the themes of the novel?

How the past shapes the future and how looking back can either hold us back or make us appreciate what it has made us.

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Map of locations in The Little I Knew

BookTrail Review:

Most of the story is set in the small coastal village of Scauri, nestled between Rome and Naples. Since this is where the author grew up, it’s nice to go there guided by her. Italy is going through many changes – this is set 1980s/90s and it’s a country where its people feel confused, afraid and unsure of what’s to come.

Lea is our main character who has moved back home. she’s married and raising a family with her husband but she seems unfulfilled and alone. when a friend dies, she goes off the rails a bit and starts to question everything whilst trying to find out what happened. There’s a lot of inward thinking and self reflection here ( sometimes a bit much for me). But then the scandal and rumours started and I got back on board 😉

A good insight into small town Italy, in a changing rural community, in a country not quite sure where it’s going.