La conca buia

As the municipal elections draw near, Franco Gavaglià, the current mayor of a mountain village, becomes increasingly preoccupied with the prospect of losing his job. The problem is that, after years of a sedentary lifestyle and indulgent work lunches, he no longer resembles the typical mountain man: his once hardy hands, slim figure, and weathered wrinkles have been replaced by urban obesity that might alienate potential voters. To regain the favor of his community, Franco requires the assistance of an Alpine hero, someone who embodies sacrifice, industriousness, and tradition. Someone much like his own father.The truth, however, is that Franco’s father is a loathsome, selfish, and cruel man who subjected his wife and son to years of abuse. Nevertheless, Franco understands all too well that politics and truth rarely align. As for the truth, he himself is a master in the art of deception, having learned it from a young age when he needed to evade his father’s wrath. The real challenge lies in persuading the old man to accompany him to the grueling campaign meetings. Initially, sedation seems like the perfect solution, but this tactic quickly proves inadequate. This is where Leda, Franco’s daughter, enters the picture. Though initially reluctant, she joins this unusual duo because she is the only one capable of soothing her grandfather. It’s at this juncture that things take a dramatic turn, and Franco reveals his willingness to do whatever it takes to secure victory.’La conca buia’ is a ‘mountain novel’ focused on contradictions and petty rivalries among family members, revealing what lies beneath a bittersweet and satirical façade.