The Lost Reader

"...I really enjoyed this book and loved the references to other books, making a note of those I haven’t read yet. I listened to all the songs he mentions and, of course, imagined the Rome he describes, and now I want to experience it for myself. The narrative flows and never becomes tedious, despite the constant references. The book won the Scerbanenco Prize, and in its statement of reasons, the jury wrote something with which I wholeheartedly agree: “The author manages to blend noir with ‘high’ literature, suspense with irony, perfectly, presenting us with the figure of a chance, improvised detective who will remain etched in the reader’s mind.”

"...I realise a book has captivated me when I don’t even use a bookmark, just a pencil between the pages. A clear sign that I’ll finish reading it very soon. That’s exactly what happened with The Lost Reader."

"On the classic question: Does literature copy reality, or is it the other way round? In Stassi’s book, even if you don’t find a clear answer, you’ll discover that the relationship between the two is more than just fateful."

"...A book written with humour, which perhaps just barely falls within the realm of crime fiction, explores and captures the boundaries, the borders between literature and (the rest of) reality. In this way, of course, it also explores the concept of truth in literature: ‘you must never take a writer who recounts his life at face value, for if he is a true writer, he will renew in every line he writes, until the end of his life, the pact of infidelity with reality which he entered into at the beginning of his career’. Or, as Gombrowicz used to say, in literature, honesty never leads to anything."

– Kostas Athanasiou, The Era

"...An enjoyable novel that will delight book lovers with its constant forays into the secrets of world fiction."

"...Stasi’s novel is a hymn to the value of good literature, both contemporary and classical. Our mental health, our spiritual clarity, and the form our very lives ultimately take, according to the book’s protagonist, can be directly influenced by the in-depth study and understanding of the literary masterpieces he recommends."

"...The plot revolves around the reading list of a missing neighbour, but ultimately this is merely the pretext for the author to take us on a journey through the riches of world literature."

"...A book-loving thriller that recommends specific books (with title, author’s name and content) for every ailment, which reveals to us the magic and hidden therapeutic truth of literature, whilst offering us, on first reading, an enthralling mystery: the disappearance of the reader and the resolution of everything in an unfathomable past."

– Eleni Gika, Fileleftheros

"...Vince’s Autumn of Despair and Salvation is gripping; the narrative is brimming with literary references, and admittedly culminates in a completely unexpected twist. The Lost Reader is a book par excellence for readers, who may take comfort in the fact that even if they get lost, someone who speaks their language might just find them."

"A book-loving novel, full of mystery and depth, yet also offering a very apt commentary on the role of literature in our daily lives. ...Stassi’s bibliophile novel rightly earns its title, as it solves the detective puzzle running through the plot via the readings and clues offered by world literature."

"...The combination of ‘high literature’ with the suspense of noir is a complete success. It is a gripping novel in which the reader wants to reach the end quickly but, on the other hand, never wants it to end. Three desires arise when the book ends: to discover Vince Corso’s Rome, to listen to his music, and to read or reread the books mentioned."

"...Can literature really do this? And what else does it do, after all? Does it counteract the allure of the void and our melancholy? Does it teach us to look at everything differently and to seek out the other side of things? The question hangs over Stassi’s short but delightful novel (Rome, 1962). Certainly, however, Zweig’s statement is vindicated: that literature is not life but the celebration of life, a way of grasping drama in a clearer and more comprehensible manner."

"...And that is what good literature is: it makes you look into the darkness within yourself, to realise that what you are facing has been faced by others – even if they are fictional heroes– to wander through imaginary worlds, to meet characters who will sometimes remain etched in your mind. And from this perspective, Fabio Stassi’s book achieves all of the above, making for an excellent read."

"...When reading The Lost Reader, you will definitely need a pencil to note down the countless books mentioned, the songs and the locations, so that you can create your own map of where the characters move."

"...If you want to read a book and discover new literary treasures, to meet a charismatic literary hero who will surprise you with his naivety, sensitivity and self-criticism, and to unravel a peculiar detective case that transcends the boundaries of reality and flirts with fiction, then *The Lost Reader* will captivate you and transport you on multiple levels."

"...Knowing that a book can overturn your entire worldview, whilst reading about the profession of the bibliotherapist, I felt the anguish of the responsibility borne by the book’s central character. Every visit by a ‘patient’ to his practice was a new challenge for him and an opportunity to unpack thoughts and theories about reading books."

"...this is not an action novel, although the plot does take an adventurous turn towards the end. Its strongest point is its romantic protagonist, and the way he makes literature his co-star and companion."

"...Armed with the atmosphere of Rome, a devoted love of literature and a sensitive nature, Fabio Stassi has created a book that lovers of world literature across the globe will find hard to put down and to which they will return many times in the future."

"...The book is a love letter from the author to literature. Grab a pen and paper and make a note of all the books (and all the songs) mentioned in the novel. I wish there were more books featuring this very special and human book therapist – detective! As for the value of literature, it may not heal, as the book’s protagonist understands it, yet it shapes our personalities and helps us become better people in every respect."

"..._The Lost Reader_ is a brilliant novel with witty dialogue and clever twists – a tribute to literature and writers; it gracefully recounts the transformative power of literary works and the impact they can have on readers."

"..._The Lost Reader_ is, of course and above all, a novel about the love of literature, and it cannot fail to move any true book lover. Written with humour and a lovely style, it leaves the reader with a sweet aftertaste. This is certainly helped by the superb edition with its wonderful cover, as well as the consistently fine work of the highly skilled translator D. Dotsi."