The Brittle Age

A powerful mother-and-daughter story, a profound exploration of human fragility, and of the haunting shadows of the past

LONGLISTED FOR THE 2026 DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD

"Intricate and subtle."--Miranda France, The Telegraph

In the 1990s, deep in the Maiella mountains of Central Italy, a brutal crime shattered the peace of the local community. Two young women were murdered, a third left for dead. Lucia was twenty years old back then, and the only survivor, a childhood friend. Now Lucia is a physiotherapist, separating from her husband, her daughter Amanda studying in Milan. When the pandemic forces Amanda to return to the family's home near Pescara, forever changed by her experiences, Lucia’s memories are reawakened, and with them the impact of past trauma. Set against the backdrop of the rugged Apennine mountains, the narrative intricately weaves Lucia and Amanda’s personal struggles with the mystery of the tragedy that marked their familial land decades earlier. Inspired by true events, The Brittle Age is a tale of individual resilience, and a commentary on the indelible impact of historical events on personal lives and the broader community.