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Anima Mundi

Susanna Tamaro
Autumn Hill Books (2007)
ISBN 9780975444443
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (11/08)

Susanna Tamaro’s novel “Anima Mundi” has been translated into twenty-five different languages throughout the world; this edition is the first translation into the English language.  When you see that a book has been reproduced that many times you expect a certain level of greatness from the novel, and “Anima Mundi” definitely delivers! 

The novel is divided into three parts:  Fire, Earth, and Wind, and follows the life of the main character Walter.  The book opens up with the funeral of Walter’s father.  The service is a small one, just three of his father’s friends and himself.  This event causes him to think about his life growing up.  His home situation was far from perfect and there really wasn’t much of a relationship between he and his father, or his mother for that matter.  His father was an impatient and violent man:  “Home was a continuous explosion.  He’d utter the worst curses, throwing everything on the floor, kicking the walls and the cabinets.  Then, when there was nothing left to break, he’d leave the house, slamming the door behind.” (p. 26)

Tamaro’s writing will cause the reader to feel many different emotions.  One of the saddest parts of the book, in my opinion, is Walter’s last encounter with his mother.  He had been living in Rome and one day out of the blue his mother showed up on his doorstep.  It had been a few years since they had seen each other and Walter still did not have any desire to.  They spent an awkward day together and then Walter didn’t “feel like wasting time by taking her to the station” so he wrote out directions for her. (p.43)  Little did he know at the time that his mother was dying and that this would be the last time that he saw her. 

We watch as Walter’s alcoholism and estrangement from his family shape his life, and are given a deep look into his views and ways of thinking.   There are many moments in the book that really cause you to think further and to examine your own views on the particular subject matter being discussed.  This is not a book that you will fly right through.  “Anima Mundi” is a book that you will want to savor and take your time to read, enjoying every word.  I highly recommend Tamaro’s book and look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.

    

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