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Soul of the Border

A Novel

By Matteo Righetto

In this exhilarating coming-of-age tale set in the late 19th century, a daring young woman braves the wilds of the mountainous Austrian-Italian border—and the dangerous men who conspired with her missing father to smuggle tobacco—in order to save her family.

Jole de Boer is just fifteen years old the first time she accompanies her father—a tobacco grower named Augusto—as he smuggles his product across the Italian border into Austria. She knows the dangers of the treacherous high mountain passes—border guards, brigands, wild animals, ferocious weather—but she is proud that her father has asked her to join him. After all, without the extra money Augusto’s smuggling brings in, their family would starve.

But when Augusto mysteriously disappears during one of his trips, Jole must retrace the route he took to both find a buyer for her family’s tobacco—and the truth behind her father’s disappearance.

An epic tale of revenge, corruption, and salvation, The Soul of the Border is an unforgettable journey into the wild.
Matteo Righetto

Matteo Righetto lives and works in Padua, at the border of the wilderness of northeastern Italy. Many of his works take place in beautiful mountain landscapes that he knows deeply, having visited them since childhood backpacking with his father. Among his best-known novels are the winner of the Premio Cortina 2016, Apri gli occhi (Open Your Eyes). L’Anima della frontiera (The Soul of the Border) has become a literary success, and was sold in several countries before its publication in Italy. The author is now working on a sequel, L’ultima patria (The Last Homeland).

“Righetto's novel abounds with naturalistic details that help create a fine sense of place—evoking both the literal path that Jole follows and the sense of a world on the cusp of something.” —Kirkus

“A complex and beautifully written novel….Soul of the Border is compelling and immersive. It illustrates the strength of the human soul as it confronts challenges and evils without question. Jole’s coming-of-age journey is painful but inspirational.” —Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice

"Written in a laconic style, with scarcely any dialogue, the often poignant novel is beautifully executed as it creates an ethos that is haunting and altogether memorable. Seemingly simple and straightforward, the story resonates with timeless characters and situations, investing them with the weight of allegory." —Booklist (starred)

“A harrowing, suspenseful and convincing novel . . . something beautiful.” —Daniel Woodrell, author of Winter's Bone

“Soul of the Border is a beautiful novel that encapsulates nature at its toughest and most stunning, and humanity at its strongest and most uplifting . . . out of this world” —CUB Magazine

“Written in sparse prose over often very short chapters, the story unfolds both in action and in setting with masterful pacing and precision.” —Pendora Magazine

“Precise and powerful writing... strikes you right at the core... beautiful writing... fantastic.” —Umut Reviews (blog)

“Absolutely gorgeous... the characters live and breathe on the page, it is utterly compelling and hugely immersive.” —Liz Loves Books (blog)

Soul of the Border

A Novel

By Matteo Righetto