The Straw Obelisk

Tradition. We all have traditions that are important to us, oftentimes associated with holidays or from memories of family activities long past. Author Adolph Caso, in his latest book, The Straw Obelisk, highlights a story of one fascinating tradition, still held annually in Italy, and includes pictures of the young boy he once was, his family, and those taken at the 1994 "feast." This book in unique. There is a love story. There is the tale of a long-time tradition, but there is also an unusual epilogue. First the love story! Samuel is a young man whose forthcoming arrival after the war is to be spread via an old woman who rides a bicycle to each home...a messenger who must deliver the job of homecoming or the sorrow of death. For just a moment each time she travels through the small village, she is the most important person living there. This time her news is happy as she shares with his mother that Samuel will soon be home. While happy her son is coming home safe, the news brings disruption and heartache as well to Maria, for Samuel's sister, Lucia, has borne a child outside of marriage and to a married man. Their fear of Samuel's temper when he hears of this disgrace to the family is so severe that Lucia immediately leaves her home. Anticipation of Samuel's homecoming spreads through the gossip and sharing common everywhere. However, the fear and pain experienced in the war has changed Samuel, so much so that he immediately goes to Lucia and brings her home to be once again together with her family. He also goes to find his former girlfriend, Franca, wondering and hoping that she still loves him, but also afraid that she does. While Samuel knows he is seriously ill, he nevertheless finds his love and is with her as much as is permitted within the community's environment--which is not often. The story, of life during the early '40's is slow, and you realize it is reflective of how we would have lived at that time. Samuel's change, though sometimes strange, as when anybody mentions God--and you feel as if he has been transported back into the midst of the war--is beneficial to the entire community, as his strange, new loving nature influences others. The culmination of his success is shown when he is selected as the lead man in the annual transport of the tall, intricately detailed structure with the face of the Madonna. My mind tried to create a vision of this activity--where six men and six bulls, along with hundreds of villagers, move the Obelisk as it first was moved. The only thing that comes close for me is the annual parades where large balloons come down the streets in front of department stores. How much more thrilling this trek must be! Learning of Samuel's illness, gentle Lucia seduces Samuel, but alas, the story ends...and we learn only in the epilogue that records seem to indicate that she had a still-born baby and died soon after. Samuel died from consumption. Now for the unusual epilogue, I need to quote it: "The Straw Obelisk is

Reviewing fiction books is harder than non-fiction in that non-fiction is usually a true story or stories, that is why reviewing this book was more difficult than others. Caso's style is good and he has captured the feeling of the times with The Straw Obelisk.The book is set during World War II, where a young soldier named Samuele is coming home to completely transformed by the war. His attitudes about life and people have changed and Samuele must bring the Obelisk to the village.For most of the book the story is easy to follow, however there was some confusion during the reading. I got lost when a woman is killed and Samuele goes from trying to solve a crime to getting the obelisk to the village. The book finishes nicely and leaves you satisfied. I was impressed by the author's amazing detail of Italy during the war, which adds much to the overall storyline. While the book was published in 1995, it would still make a good read.