Timeskipper [Paperback]

Stefano Benni (Author), Anthony Sugaar (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

Italy's foremost satirist recounts the adventures of Timeskipper, a young man endowed with a rare gift: the ability to see into the future. A tale in which innocence and imagination defy corruption and conformity, in which the eccentricities and innocence of yesteryear come face-to-face with the moral aridity of today's money-obsessed society, Timeskipper is one of Stefano Benni's most touching and enduring creations. Colored by Benni's trademark linguistic inventiveness and irresistible humor, this is a coming-of-age story with a difference.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Time is out of joint in this quasi-fantasy novel by Italian author Benni (Margherita Dolce Vita), whose young hero, Luperto, is stopped on his way to school by God, who, dressed in rags and swarmed by flies, gives Luperto a "duoclock," or the ability to see the future. Luperto, now called Timeskipper, grows up the son of a woodcarver in a small village in post-war Italy. Timeskipper goes away to the city to be educated, flirts with communism, plays soccer, becomes a newspaper reporter, observes the student unrest that sweeps Europe in 1968 and returns home to take part in his village's losing war between tradition and progress. He also can't forget Selene, the on-again off-again love of his life. At key points, Timeskipper's duoclock enables him to see possible futures, but shorn of the underused gimmick, this is a fairly stock coming-of-age story dressed up with supporting characters right out of a Fellini movie. Many Italian political references will be lost on the average American reader, making this translation one that may have trouble finding with a larger audience.
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About the Author

Stefano Benni is widely considered Italy's foremost satirist and a dramaturge of considerable note. His many novels, collections of essays, poetry and short stories include: Bar Sport, The Company of Celestials, and The Cafe Beneath the Sea. He lives in Bologna.

Product Details

• Paperback: 390 pages
• Publisher: Europa Editions (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933372443
• ISBN-13: 978-1933372440
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Classic, October 5, 2010

By 

Donna "D.Alexander fan" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Timeskipper (Paperback)

I discovered this book reandomly in my local library, and am only grudgingly going to give it back. This is one I will be recommending to all my friends. Excellent writing. The story has a bit of magic to it, while exploring some history of Italy in the 60s, along with biting commentary on the destruction of the environment in the name of progress. All this, in the form of a moving and very funny coming-of-age story! I can't say enough good things about it. I was very sorry when I got to the last page...