A Linden on the Sea
21/10/2020
This story is closed in a glass bottle, left to the sea to get as far as it can …
Single distributor “Cartolibreria Punto e Virgola”:
- Viale Alberto Fassini, 10 – 02100 Rieti
- Via della Repubblica, 27 – 02043 Contigliano
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Preface
Preface by: Luca Scopigno
Felice Nucci amazed me again. And, I’m sure, it will amaze you too.
After “The seller of dreams and Mr Jack”, the Rieti author in his second effort, ventures into another surprising work, “full of life” (as he would say), emotions and dreams.
The softness, the optimism, the trust in others and in the future pervade Felice Nucci new work, a novel in which the protagonist is subjected from life to tragic and undeserved misadventures.
The so called Mr Forrest, is not discouraged by human adversities nor the existence. He faces life with courage and awareness and, without losing the spirit, he is able to react positively to the terrible trials that life has reserved.
Each time he finds the strength and the clarity to look forward with surprising optimism.
The optimism in indeed something that will always give him new experiences, people, friends, places and horizons.
It’s the hallmark of the author’s inspiration: optimism, courage, strength and the ability to look forward even after events so negative that can stun even the strongest.
That of Felice is an inspiration that comes from within and from an extraordinary character that allows you to love without conditions all humans, animals and what comes from nature, and all, deservedly and fully, reciprocate it.
To contribute to the author’s fortunate inspiration are his diverse and multifaceted life experiences and the extraordinary family from which the author draws solidarity and boundless love . For this reason it’s fair, in this preface, to mention also Franca, Silvia and Massimo, in sequence Felice’s wife, daughter and son, without whom I am reasonably sure, Felice wouldn’t have been able to express and communicate so many feelings and emotions.
The book will keep you glued to its pages and, despite the hard suffering involving Mr Forrest life, will not let you indulge in pessimism.
The author, as in the previous book, shows that he believes in the goodness of men and life, even if it’s hard sometimes.
It’s a life capable of giving us so much, if we only have the courage not to turn our back.
This time it will be more difficult for the reader to recognize places and people because Felice chooses, as usual, indefinite spaces.
If in”The Seller of Dreams” there was the mountain, a close and familiar mountain, now the author chooses a distant and even exotic sea.
Through the accurate descriptions of characters and places, he is able to take us with him to live and see clearly landscapes full of life, colourful and extraordinary.
Felice will amaze and greet you leaving you, once again, with wet eyes and a smile on your lips.
Special thanks
- Luca Scopigno, friend and journalist, son of my beloved director Loris, for having edited the preface, as well as lovingly dedicating time and talent for the correction (and not only) of the book and to avoid mistakes made by my hasty and instinctive way of writing.
- My daughter Silvia for the English translation and our friend Tina Sharma for the proofreading.
- Prof. Cristina Racchella of Princeton University and all her students on the Italian course for encouraging me to write another story.
- All friends and those who have read my first book, their reviews slowly made me realise that I could try to write again.
- Dr. Diana Fantacci for sharing her experience working in the retirement homes.
- My wife and my children, for the silent patience (not always!) shown while I was writing even during the night.
- My dog Jack often beside me while I was writing and always looking for caresses to keep me company.
- “My Mountain” inexhaustible source of inspiration.
- The “Chief”, always.
- Anyone who is possibly missing from this list but not from my heart.
They wrote…
Italian group class's questions (Princeton - U.S.A.)
Dear Mr. Felice.
It’s wonderful to have you in class with us today!
Our Italian group loves “Il Tiglio sul Mare”. We enjoy reading your book which creates different emotions and much curiosity. As we worked to prepare our questions for you, we felt nervous wanting to do a good job for such a special author. We feel privileged to meet you and have many questions and emotions to share. Here are some of our questions.
1- What inspired you to write Il Tiglio Sul Mare? Are any of the characters in the book inspired by a real people?
2- When you begin to write, do you know how the story will end? Or do the characters take you in a new direction?
3- Whicht emotions guided you first? The characters… the symbols…the emotions… is one more important to you than the others?
4- Do you have a favorite character besides Mr. Forrest? Who is he and why?
5- When did you begin to write books?
6- Since the book starts with deep sadness, is there hope for an end of great happiness?
7- Would you say more about Forrest’s memories and how (or of) they guided the events in the book?
8- Are you going to write another book?
9- We have I think all felt closer to the Italian language and people through this book. Thank you for that. I am interested in knowing what impact have you experienced as an author by having your books so well embraced by us students?
10- It seems that memories play an important role in your book. You describe in the book a time when Forrest stated that he and Alex were so comfortable together, they didn’t have to speak. I would like to thank you for helping me to recall a beautiful comforting memory of an occasion with my father, who is now deceased.
11- Was the book intended to present the challenges of a person at the crossroad of life in older age? The point in time when the family fades and a person loses independence, Forrest realizes the devastating path he chose per his children’s request and fights to return to a life similar to his previous one.
Monica (U.S.A.)
For me the Linden Tree is very very special. I worked at a hospital in NYC for many years. Each day I would have to pass by this beautiful Linden tree. The perfume of the flowers made my difficult job more bearable. I also lived in NYC. Many times I walked the Promenade in front of the World Trade Center. It was lined by Linden trees. Of course this was before Sept 11 and I haven’t returned to seeif the Linden trees survived.
Gail (U.S.A.)
You asked us to think differently (or, explore different ideas) about the book The Linden by the Sea. I like to think of it as a fable.Is it crazy to compare it to the Divine Comedy? Maybe, but why not?
L’Inferno
The Linden by the Sea begins with a man completely lost, devastated by the loss of his wife. He is in great pain. (“Discomfort“ doesn’t seem quite right. Perhaps “non funzionare“ does not mean the quite the same in Italian as in English—that he is falling apart emotionally?)
When his children convince him to go to a therapeutic residence for seniors, he accepts. After the death of his wife, his only reason for living is his two children. But soon after, in a horrible event during a trip, they are killed by terrorists. Forrest is truly in Hell.In addition, he discovers that the owners of the center are robbing the residents. Out of curiosity, when he explores the grounds of the residence, he also discovers that in an “off limits” pavilion, the nurses are torturing the patients. Hell worsens.Fortunately, as in the Divine Comedy, Forrest has a guide to help him: Doris, the therapist. She becomes his Virgil.
Purgatory
Forrest discovers Kate among the patients and also rediscovers the possibility of hope. Now Forrest and Kate don’t feel so alone. But the situation is still dangerous. The owners, the villainous Morgans, still control everything. What can Forrest do?
At this point in the story I don’t know if Kate and Forrest will reach Paradise. Forrest will need a Beatrice. Who will that be? Perhaps Cloe, now a beautiful young woman. And what will his paradise be?
I wait to find out.
Angelina (U.S.A.)
I finished Felice’s book – the English translation; still (of course) working on the Italian). I cried. Felice could be a screenwriter. He knows how to make people “die well”.
Peggy
Why is Forrest so sad when the monastery has been saved? I thought that several of us would write about this paragraph, so I wanted to talk about the opposite idea: when we find happiness in great sadness.
In music, we say that Mozart, in his compositions, is often “crying through tears”. I found a trio from Cosi fan Tutti, an opera by Mozart, which makes me very happy, even though it is incredibly sad. Also, this aria seems to go well with this chapter (#32). The text is:
May the wind be gentle,
may the wave(s) be calm,
and may every one of the elements
warmly fulfil our (your) wishes.