An Olive Branch for Sante - Paperback

by Antonio Casella (Author)

Young Australian journalist Sara-Jane goes to Sicily and discovers that she has an 18 year-old brother, Sante, living there. This is the story of two young people on a journey extending over two continents, that uncovers some shocking secrets. Set in Australia and Sicily, the novel depicts two fascinating landscapes. Sicily is the land of history, tradition and continuity. Australia represents hope, change and the future. The story traces a journey of reconciliation between the siblings and their estranged father. On a personal level the novel explores questions about cultural and sexual identity, buried memories, love and redemption.Critical praise for Casella's work. "Casella's intention is to chart and illuminate undiscovered, difficult country...The characters are entirely, sometimes shockingly believable, and even if they unlikeable, there is a point of understanding and sympathy to which we are drawn." Helen Elliott, The Age, Melbourne."Dream and ritual intersect with the real man, define the purpose of things." Walter Tonetto, The West Australian. "A beautifully crafted novel." Dianne Johnson, The Sydney Morning Herald. ("Questa fusione di presente e passato, di nuovo e antico, di vicino e lontano, e' la nota piu' caratteristica della scrittura di Antonio Casella.")"This fusion of present and past, of new and old, of proximity and distance is a most important quality of Antonio Casella's writing." Stefania Greco, in " Terra e identita' Nella Narrativa Contemporanea Italo-Australiana dell'Emigrazione.". University of Bologna

Author Biography

Antonio Casella was born in Italy and migrated to Australia when he was 15 years old. Unable to speak English he went to night school while he took a labouring job during the day. ten years later he went to university to study Literature. His first novel was, Southfalia, was accepted by the first publisher it was sent to. His body of work includes the novels, The Sensualist, Men and Fathers, An Olive Branch for Sante. The plays: The Ghost of Rino Tassone, and To Catch a Bride. A recurrent theme in his work is identity, especially cultural and sexual identity. Other themes include the effect of past events on present behaviour and the changing roles of men and women in contemporary society.