Loosely based on a true story of a Milan kidnapping, this novel is set in a 1978 Italy when the kidnapping of children from wealthy Northern families hit a peak.
Set in the wheat fields of the South, in a tiny hamlet ironically named Aqua Traverse, the story centres around eleven year old Michele and his friends. Although socially isolated in their hamlet, they all play together, ride their bikes, argue, do dares and pay forfeits.
Coming last in a race, Michele is dared to enter, and explore, an abandoned farm house that is hidden behind a large hill. What he finds there will change his life and how he views his small community forever.
As a small child Michele’s mother had warned him of the bogey man, but the bogey man turned out to be his father and other adults in the village.
There are many stories about childhood and the loss of innocence, but how Niccolo captures the child’s view of the world and friendships is spot on, and the story drives along to a frightening climax. This is one of those books that inspires you to reminisce about your own childhood feelings, and you can’t put it down.
Io Non Ho Paura was filmed in 2003 by Gabriele Salvatores and was purchased by 32 countries after it’s showing at the Berlin Film Festival.
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