The Eight Mountains: A Novel
Paolo CognettiFor fans of Elena Ferrante, Fredrik Backman, & Paulo Coelho comes the international sensation about the friendship between two young Italian boys from different backgrounds and how their incredibly strong connection evolves, changes, & challenges them throughout their lives.
Pietro is a lonely boy living in Milan. With his parents becoming more distant each day, the only thing the family shares is their love for the Dolomites, the mountains that hug the northeastern border of Italy.
While on vacation at the foot of the mountains, Pietro meets Bruno, an adventurous, spirited local boy. Together they spend many summers exploring the mountains’ meadows & peaks & discover the similarities & differences in their lives, their backgrounds, & their futures. The two boys come to find the true meaning of friendship & camaraderie, even as their divergent paths in life—Bruno’s in the mountains, Pietro’s across the world—test the strength & meaning of their connection.
“A slim novel of startling expansion that subtly echoes its setting” (Vogue), The Eight Mountains is a lyrical coming-of-age story about the power of male friendships & the enduring bond between fathers & 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 Italia).
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Paolo Cognetti is an Italian writer, novelist, & editor from Milan. He divides his time between the city & his cabin in the Italian Alps. He is the author of The Wild Boy.