That being said, I still liked this book! My inner child adored how inspiring and meaningful the interactions with the unicorn were. I also don’t understand why the mafia needed to be involved in this story? As someone with an Italian heritage, I find so many “Italian” centered books include this negative stereotype. I honestly felt like they had a grandfather/granddaughter or uncle/niece dynamic, so when they became romantically involved�� I was shocked. Maybe it’s just me, but Bianchi seemed like he was 70-80 years old (even though he’s supposedly in his late 40’s?!?) I usually try not to include spoilers in my reviews, but the fact he developed a relationship with a very young woman, and he kept referring to her as a little girl, somewhat disturbed me. I thought this was going to be a solid 4 stars… until an unexpected romance happened and the mafia appeared. “He would have indeed taken it for an illusion if “Cherubino” (his goat)… Anarchist and atheist like all goats, had not remained kneeling.”Ī quote from the first unicorn sighting. The lyrical writing, humor, Italian influence, magical realism, and great narrator, made this an enjoyable book. Until one day a Unicorn appears in his vineyard, and upends his quiet life.

The main character Claudio Bianchi, is a grumpy old Italian farmer, and he seems fine with his simple life in rural Calabria. This was a beautiful short story, that I stumbled across on Audible plus.

In Calabria by Peter S. Beagle