Arturo's Island by Elsa Morante (translation by Ann Goldstein)

Introduction

I decided to pick up Arturo’s Island after my grandmother recommended it. She really likes this book and I wanted to be able to discuss it with her. The story is about Arturo, a young boy growing up on a remote Italian island, isolated from the world and longing for love, connection, and to step out into the world. His father, Wilhelm, is his idol, but he’s mostly absent, leaving Arturo to navigate life and emotions on his own. While being alone, he creates a hero out of his father, making him into much more than he really is.

The book is as much a coming-of-age tale as it is an exploration of loneliness, family dynamics, and disillusionment. It's touching, particularly the way it captured Arturo’s longing for care, love, and his struggles to reconcile the idealised version of his father with reality.

Thoughts

Arturo’s perspective as a young boy is painfully honest, and Morante does a good job of immersing the reader in his inner world. I felt for him: his yearning for his father’s attention, his innocence, his ambitions, and his confusion about the complexities of love and relationships. The story felt realistic, capturing the quiet tragedy of a child who has never known true love and care.

That said, I had mixed feelings about the writing itself. On one hand, the simplicity of the prose added a layer of authenticity, making it feel like Arturo was recounting his story as a young boy. On the other hand, this simplicity sometimes came across as overly childish, which diminished the emotional weight of certain moments. I couldn’t tell if this was a translation issue or an intentional choice, but it occasionally made it harder to fully engage with the story.

Another issue I had was the imbalance in the narrative focus. The parts of the story I found most compelling, like Arturo’s eventual realisation about the kind of person Wilhelm truly is, were less worked out. Meanwhile, sections that felt less essential dragged on, which disrupted the pacing and left me frustrated at times.

What I Loved About the Book

• The emotional depth of Arturo’s character: His longing for love and connection was beautifully portrayed, making it easy to empathise with his struggles

  
  

• The setting: The isolated island was vividly described and played a significant role in shaping Arturo’s experiences. It fit the story perfectly.

  
  

• The exploration of a child’s idealisation of a parent: The way Arturo idolised his father despite Wilhelm’s neglect was heartbreaking yet realistic. This dynamic was one of the most important aspects of the book.

  
  

What Didn’t Work for Me

• The writing style: While I understand the intention behind the simple prose, it often felt too childish and made some parts of the story feel flat. This might be a translation issue or a reflection of Arturo’s youth, but it didn’t always work for me.

  
  

• Unexplored emotional moments: I wanted more depth in Arturo’s eventual understanding of his father.

  
  

Final Verdict

3/5

I’m torn about how to rate Arturo’s Island. On one hand, it’s a deeply moving and realistic portrayal of loneliness and a child’s yearning for love. On the other hand, the pacing and writing style held me back from fully connecting with it. It’s a book I’ll remember, but not one I can say I fully enjoyed.

Who Should Read This Book

If you enjoy coming-of-age stories with emotional depth and don’t mind slower, more introspective pacing, you might find Arturo’s Island a rewarding read. However, if you prefer a more polished writing style or tightly paced storytelling, this might not be the book for you.